According to the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, on December 14, local time, Finland** announced that it would sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States, allowing US troops to be stationed and trained in Finland, and to pre-deploy military supplies in Finland. The two countries are expected to formally sign the agreement in Washington on December 18 local time.
Finland's first minister, Elena Valtonen, said at a press conference on the 14th that the defense cooperation agreement will further deepen bilateral cooperation between Finland and the United States, "It will strengthen Finland's defense and security and promote cooperation in all security situations." The agreement is also of regional importance and will help Finland contribute to NATO's collective defense. ”
Finland** said the new agreement would allow U.S. troops to be stationed and trained in Finland and to pre-deploy military supplies within Finland. According to Reuters, Finland will open 15 facilities and areas to the US military, including four air bases and one military port.
Finnish Defense Minister Hai Kainen and *** Minister Valtonen held a press conference on the 14th **Screenshot.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Heikänen also confirmed that the defense cooperation agreement does not exclude nuclear **, but that the agreement will ensure compliance with Finnish law. According to the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act prohibits the storage and transport of nuclear ** within the country.
The signing of the agreement marks a new step in close cooperation between Finland and the U.S. defense sector, "and the agreement reflects the U.S. commitment to Finland's security and creates the conditions for cooperation in times of crisis," he said. Finland does not defend the country alone, but as a NATO ally, it defends alongside the United States. ”
Since the defence cooperation agreement contains provisions of a legislative nature, the agreement needs to be approved by the Finnish Parliament. After the signing of the agreement, Finland** will begin preparations for the submission to Parliament of proposals for the acceptance and ratification of the agreement and the implementation of its provisions of a legislative nature.
Finland completed the process of joining NATO on April 4 this year, officially becoming the 31st member of the organization. Finland said at the time that NATO would provide security guarantees for Finland, and Finland would become a "reliable ally" to strengthen regional stability, committed to contributing to NATO's "collective deterrence and defense".
Among other NATO members, the United States has signed similar defense cooperation agreements with Norway, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Estonia, and the agreement with Denmark is awaiting ratification, according to Reuters. Sweden, which has joined NATO, also signed an agreement with the United States on December 5 to open 17 facilities to the US military.
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