Participation in international crisis management is part of Finland’s foreign, security and defence policy. Finland can participate in international crisis management operations led by the UN, the EU, NATO, the OSCE, and international coalitions.

The Ministry of Defence is responsible for the political preparation, guidance and supervision of participation in military crisis management as well as for the acquisition of resources. The Defence Forces are responsible for the practical preparation and implementation tasks of military crisis management.

Participation in crisis management operations is funded from the appropriations of the Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Defence. Military crisis management mainly uses the same resources that have been reserved for national defence. Crisis management activities also provide valuable experience for the development of one’s own defence.

The decision to participate in a new crisis management operation will be made by the President of the Republic based on a proposal by the Government. If the operation is particularly demanding or is not based on a mandate from the UN Security Council, the Government submits a report on it to Parliament.