This morning, at the UNIFIL Mission Headquarters, the joint visit of the Finnish Defense Minister, Jussi Niinistö, and the Estonian Defense Minister, Hannes Hanso, took place.
The two ministers, accompanied by their respective delegations, were received by Division General Luciano Portolano, head of mission and commander of the UN Forces in southern Lebanon.
The developments in the political and internal security situation, the instability of the regional framework and the role of the mission, as the stabilizing element of the area, were the topics addressed by the head of mission during the meeting.
"In the area of operation of UNIFIL - said General Portolano - calm and stability continue to prevail, although the tensions between Hizbullah and Israel together with the deterioration of regional balances make the situation volatile".
"One of the main efforts of the mission - explained the general - remains to encourage both parties to moderate the debate, especially through the instrument of the tripartite table which, to date, represents the only forum for discussion between two countries still technically in state of war ".
The general then addressed to the ministers Niinistö and Hanso words of thanks for the important contribution to UNIFIL and the constant support to the mission in the ambit of the Strategic Dialogue, vehicle of help and assistance consistent with the broader mechanism ofInternational Support Group (ISG).
The ten-year participation of the Final Nadia and of Estonia in UNIFIL totals about three hundred and forty blue helmets deployed in the western sector of the Italian-led operation area.
