Finland to consider lifting ban on military operations abroad

Finland's parliament is to consider a bill next year to allow its military to fully participate in operations abroad.

Finnish Broadcasting reports the legislation, which was to have been considered next spring, has been moved up to the first of the year, according to Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto.

The impetus: The recent terror attacks in France and French President Francois Hollande's invocation of a European Union security provision. That EU treaty clause, 42.7, mandates that member states have an "obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power" to help states which come under armed attack on their territory.

The clause does protect the neutrality of some member states. Finland, with its current restriction on foreign military operations, intends to aid France with non-military aid though government agencies such intelligence and police agencies, the report quoted the minister.