Next week, Finland, NATO's most recent member is set to sign a bilateral defence agreement granting the United States troops access to 15 military bases in Finland territory, enhancing defence capabilities and allowing storage of weapons and military equipment.
The Finnish defence ministry confirmed this during a Thursday news conference in Helsinki. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced that Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen is set to sign the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken representing their respective nations in Washington on Monday, December 18.
Häkkänen emphasized that the DCA, still pending approval from Finnish lawmakers, holds significant implications for Finland's defense and security.
Häkkänen conveyed, "It bears a very strong message in this time. The United States is committed to our defense also in a tough spot," during discussions with reporters. He highlighted that the agreement is legally binding for both parties. Following the signing, the treaty must undergo approval by Finland's parliament, marking a crucial step in the process.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the DCA's significance lies in its capacity to enhance Finland's defence capabilities by facilitating the presence and training of U.S. forces and allowing for the prepositioning of defence material within Finland's territory.
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The defense agreement provides U.S. soldiers access to 15 military bases throughout Finland, including naval and air bases, and an extensive remote army training area in Lapland, situated in the Arctic north. While facilitating a continuous U.S. troop presence and regular exercises, officials have clarified that the agreement does not include intentions to establish permanent U.S. military bases in Finland.
Furthermore, the agreement is positioned to enhance the execution of NATO's deterrence and defence strategies, as highlighted by the Foreign Ministry
Having joined NATO in April, Finland's decision to align itself with the alliance came in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine starting in February 2022. The nation, with a population of 5.6 million, shares a substantial 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, crucial to NATO's northeastern flank and serving as the European Union's northern external border.
Similarly, On December 6, the United States signed a pact with Sweden, providing access to 17 military bases. Both Finland and Sweden departed from their longstanding military non-alignment, opting to seek membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Additionally it's anticipated that NATO member Denmark will sign a similar pact with US in the near future.
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