Finland Times

 

File picture of Finnish soldiers in Afghanistan. Photo Lehtikuva.

Finnish troops will remain in Afghanistan as part of the NATO's Resolute Support Operation at least until the end of next year.

 

Defence ministers of twenty countries met with the German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen at her invitation on Monday in Berlin where it was agreed that the mission in the north of Afghani-stan should be continued.

 

Currently, there are 40 Finnish soldiers involved in training tasks in the northern Afghani region of Mazar-i-Sharif.

 

Originally, Finland's goal was to leave only a few officers in the Afghan capital Kabul at the end of the year and completely withdraw from the north of Afghanistan. However, due to security situation of the country it was decided that the operation should continue, said defence Minister Jussi Niinistö who attend the meeting in Berlin.

 

Niinistö told news agency STT that the decision was considered in the light of the overall interest pointing out the immigration pressure which is also directed to Finland.

 

According to Niinstö's estimates, the country will relieve about euro eight million for their partici-pation in the operation next year.