Finland to join patrols of Icelandic airspace
Finnish air force jets will participate in joint patrols of Icelandic airspace together with Sweden. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen at today’s Nordic Council meeting in Helsinki.
“We have decided that it would be natural for Sweden and Finland to join Norway’s surveillance stint between January and April 2014,” said Katainen.
The decision will be confirmed by parliament once all the details connected with the mission are clear. Sweden also announced today its decision to join next year’s patrols.
The North Atlantic Council will have to approve the participation of the two non-NATO countries in the patrols.
Nordic foreign ministers will go through the details of the joint patrols tomorrow.
A survey of Finnish reservists found that just one fifth supported Finnish participation.
Related Link:
Swedish air force to defend Iceland, Radio Sweden
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