MFA: Foreign Minister Haavisto to attend Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS

The meeting will be co-hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio. Ministers will discuss ways to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and especially in the Sahel and Mozambique in Africa.

“Finland is committed to the work of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.  Progress has been made in the work in Iraq and Syria, but there is still work that needs to be done.  To achieve sustainable results, the fight against terrorism must be complemented by comprehensive support,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.

Finland joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2014. Finland participates in a military training mission in Iraq under the Operation Inherent Resolve.   Finland also takes part in the EU’s civilian crisis management operation and in NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), which is a non-combat advisory, training and capacity-building mission. Additionally, Finland supports Iraq's reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Syria.

During the visit to Rome, Minister Haavisto will have meetings with foreign ministers of the countries attending the meeting as well as mediators.

Inquiries: Turo Mattila, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 613, and Sari Rautio, Director of Unit, tel.+358 295 351 534. The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi