NATO will not cancel the military exercises in Georgia scheduled for May 6 to June 1, which has caused Russia's strong opposition, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said during his visit in Finland on Monday, according to Finnish media report.

On his farewell visit as NATO secretary general to Finland, de Hoop Scheffer has praised Finland's role in the alliance's peacekeeping operations after meeting with Finnish President Tarja Halonen. He also said Finland was an important and reliable partner for NATO both politically and for its participation in peacekeeping operations.

President Halonen emphasized the significance of upcoming elections in Afghanistan. Finland will be sending additional peacekeepers to maintain security during the elections. De Hoop Scheffer also stressed the importance of supporting Afghanistan's development and reconstruction.

De Hoop Scheffer's term as secretary general of NATO comes to an end on July 31. Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark has been elected to succeed him.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2009)