Finland-USA defence co-op deal to be signed in Washington on Dec 18

The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States will be signed in Washington DC on December 18, said a government press release on Thursday.

The government in its plenary session on Thursday decided to propose that the President authorises Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, or if he is prevented from doing so, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States.

As the DCA contains provisions of a legislative nature, it is subject to acceptance by Parliament.

After the signature of the agreement, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will begin preparations for a government proposal for the acceptance and approval of the agreement and for the enforcement of its provisions of a legislative nature.

In August 2022, Finland decided to open negotiations with the United States on a DCA, which is an international agreement of a binding nature.

Finland and the United States on October 31 completed negotiations on a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA)

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decided in favour of approving the outcome of the negotiations on November 27, 2023.

Parliament has been regularly informed of the progress of the negotiations.

“It (The Defence Cooperation Agreement) will strengthen Finland’s security and defence and enable cooperation in all security situations. The DCA has also regional importance, and it will help Finland contribute to NATO’s collective defence efforts,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

The DCA will strengthen Finland’s defence because it enables the presence and training of US forces and the prepositioning of defence material in the territory of Finland. In this way, it will also support the implementation of NATO’s deterrence and defence.

“Finland’s close defence cooperation with the United States dates back to the early 1990s, and the DCA would not be possible without this long history of cooperation. The agreement reflects the United States’ commitment to Finland’s security and it creates the conditions for cooperation in times of crises,” said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.

The DCA deals with matters such as US access to and use of the agreed facilities and areas; prepositioning of defence equipment, supplies and materiel in the territory of Finland; entry and movement of US aircraft, vessels and vehicles; ensuring the protection, safety, and security of US forces and the facilities and areas they use; criminal jurisdiction; and diverse practical matters related to the activities of US forces in the territory of Finland.

The agreed facilities and areas are listed in an Annex to the agreement. Finland will authorise the United States unimpeded access to and use of the agreed facilities and areas for activities listed in the DCA. As a rule, the cooperation between Finland and the United States will focus on the agreed facilities and areas. However, the DCA will apply to the entire territory of Finland.

The United States will commit to conducting all activities under the DCA with full respect for the sovereignty, laws and international obligations of Finland. Key provisions of the DCA contain obligations of the parties regarding consultation, respect for shared views, and coordination of measures to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement.