HELSINKI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Finland is prepared to participate in NATO's rapid reaction crisis management exercises, the Finnish government said in a statement Thursday.

    A joint session of Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Thursday Finland's participation in NATO's Response Force (NRF) exercises.

    The Committee pointed out in the meeting that it is important for the development of Finland' s crisis management capabilities to participate in NATO exercises.

    The EU has decided to lean on the NATO standards in the development of its crisis management capabilities.

    In the forthcoming years, the EU will participate in NATO's and other international and national exercises instead of organizing its own separate military crisis management exercises.

    Accordingly, Finland is, in principle, prepared to participate in NATO's rapid reaction exercises offered to partnership countries, the statement said.

    Finland is an active member of NATO's partnership for peace program. Apart from the exercises relating to collective defense (Article V), NATO has decided to offer access to most of its exercise program to willing and able partnership countries.