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Top diplomat explains Finland's participation in NATO drills

The BALTOPS-2016 international military exercises involving 17 countries began on Monday near the Hanko Peninsula in southern Finland
Soldier of Finland participating in NATO sea exercises  AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski
Soldier of Finland participating in NATO sea exercises
© AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

MOSCOW, June 6. /TASS/. Finland takes part in NATO’s military drills being guided by national defense interests, Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said on Monday after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

"Participation in exercises is a key element of Finland’s international cooperation. Finland occasionally takes part in drills as a partner country being guided by its interests," he said.

"When Finland participates in such drill, it means that the most important consideration is of what additional value they are for our national defense," he said.

The BALTOPS-2016 international military exercises involving 17 countries began on Monday near the Hanko Peninsula in southern Finland.