Parliament approves Finland, USA defence co-op deal

The Parliament on Monday approved the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States, said the parliament in a press release.

Under the cooperation agreement, Finland will open 15 of its military bases for potential use by the military forces of the United States and will also allow the United States to bring defense equipment, supplies, materials, and soldiers to Finland, reported national broadcaster Yle.

The agreement will allow setting up certain military zones with the provision to include facilities accessible only to the personnel of the United States.

Opposition Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) lawmaker Anna Kontula, submitted a proposal calling on legislators to reject the agreement, reported news agency Xinhua, quoting a Finnish language newspaper Uusi Suomi.

"Generally, it is not a good idea to allow soldiers and weapons of a foreign country to settle. If this is done, it is usually not wise to give them the free right to operate in the country," Kontula was quoted by Uusi Suomi, as saying.

Kontula, emphasized that in the DCA, Finland significantly cedes its sovereignty to a foreign state, according to Uusi Suomi.

​​The parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs on June 28 discussed the DCA agreement and approved the content of the bill submitted by the government on May 30.

On December 18, 2023, Finland and USA signed the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and USA in Washington DC.