Satakunnan Kansa: USA requested access to Finnish territoryFinland and the United States are discussing an agreement on bilateral defense cooperation, Satakunnan Kansa reports.
The author of the article tells how the negotiations are progressing and what justifies the need to conclude this agreement — along with joining NATO.
Veli-Pekka Lehtonen (Veli-Pekka Lehtonen)Currently, Finnish officials are negotiating a defense agreement, which, if concluded, will allow the US armed forces to use Finnish territory and bases for conducting exercises and storing materials.
Last week, a bilateral agreement between Finland and the United States on defense cooperation (DCA, defense cooperation agreement) was discussed in the Helsinki district of Katajanokka.
The head of the Finnish side at the talks, Deputy head of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mikael Antell, says that the text of the agreement was discussed by the allies "in a positive and solution-oriented spirit."
President Sauli Niinisto justified the conclusion of the bilateral agreement by the need to strengthen Finland's security as much as possible. "In this regard, the United States is an important factor," Niinisto said in an interview with Yle a week ago.
Antell is confident that the DCA agreement will strengthen Finland's deterrence capabilities and defense capability thanks to the presence of the United States and the ability to deploy defense equipment in advance.
"The agreement will ensure unhindered cooperation with the United States on all security issues in a short time. This is the most important thing," Antell believes.
Finland managed to stay a member of NATO for a very short time.
According to Antell, the new DCA agreement, which is currently being negotiated with the United States, will complement membership in the alliance. "The agreement in the field of defense is of a practical nature," Antell is sure.
The Agreement does not apply to nuclear weapons.
Defense cooperation between Finland and the United States is developing quite rapidly. The agreement of intent between the two countries was agreed back in 2016, more serious joint steps were taken after the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine.
This is not the first defense cooperation agreement for Finland. For example, earlier Finland and NATO signed a technical agreement on mutual support of the host country.
"The difference is that this is a binding state contract, and it is much broader in scope," says Antell.
"Defense cooperation between Finland and the United States will allow troops to enter the country, stay on its territory, store materials and make possible investments in infrastructure at the expense of funds provided by the US Congress to the Pentagon," says Antell.
The American delegation includes representatives of the country's Foreign Ministry and the Pentagon, as well as military personnel stationed in Europe.
According to Antell, the most important thing for the United States in the agreement is understanding on what terms the American side can come to Finland.
Compared to cooperation in a larger alliance, intelligence information can be obtained faster within the framework of defense agreements, and the decision-making process is facilitated.
The head of research programs, Hanna Ojanen, an expert on security policy, previously stated that bilateral defense agreements are a typical way of cooperation for major powers.
"Bilateral agreements are convenient because they can offer their own terms," Oyanen told Helsingin Sanomat in 2022.
In accordance with a similar agreement with Norway, American troops and fighter jets were granted access, among other things, to the territory of the airport of Rügge near Oslo. According to Norwegian media, the Pentagon is going to invest about 170 million euros in Ryugge. Investments are justified by the optimization of various processes.
"Most of the investment is aimed at creating the ability to receive troops," Assistant Secretary of State Douglas D. Jones said in a February interview.
What investments can the United States make in Finland?
"It's too early to talk about it yet, but theoretically it could be, for example, a room for maintenance of F-35 fighters. In practice, it will be something that everyone will consider necessary," says Antell.
"The agreement will also define the objects and areas on which cooperation will be focused. These are mainly military facilities and garrisons. In principle, there may be several of them, but this issue remains open for now," says Antell. According to him, the United States no longer seeks a permanent presence, but operates on the principle of rotation.
According to the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, official negotiations between Finland and the United States will continue until next year, after which the draft agreement will go to Parliament for consideration. The details of the agreement were not made public during the negotiations. However, some conclusions can be drawn from similar agreements that the United States has concluded with other NATO countries.
In addition to Finland, the United States is negotiating defense cooperation with Denmark and aspiring NATO member Sweden. The United States often seeks to conclude DCA cooperation agreements in a single format.
The DCA agreements, in addition to the above, consider in detail the criminal jurisdiction of the US troops, customs and tax practices in the partner country. The agreement is concluded for a certain period: probably, at first it will be concluded between Finland and the United States for ten years.
Norway offered the United States, the country's troops and its partners the possibility of unhindered access to three airports and one naval base.
After the start of negotiations, the US requested access to even more territory. Territories are designated in agreements not as "bases", but as "common areas", in English — agreed facilities and areas.
The United States has been cooperating with Norway in the field of defense for a very long time: the fact is that Norway is one of the founders of the NATO defense alliance, created in 1949. The agreement on the deployment of the US arms depot in Norway was concluded several decades ago.
Finland may transfer some military facilities to the United States for use. These areas can be improved, for example, by lengthening runways, erecting additional structures or deepening the port. At first, the cooperation is likely to be on a small scale.
Mikael Antell, could one of these territories be the Rowayarvi shooting range in Lapland?
"In principle, it or part of it could serve as a common platform for conducting exercises, it's too early to talk about it. These issues have not been discussed yet."
During the negotiations, it is important for Finland to agree on the control of possible US actions on Finnish territory.
According to Antell, it is too early to discuss how Finland will exercise this control. "Cooperation is primarily based on trust, communication and common rules of the game — and also on the fact that both sides want it," says Antell.
The agreement also grants American technology freedom of movement both at sea and in the air. "In principle, everything should go smoothly, but, of course, it is necessary to respect the sovereignty of Finland," says Antell.
Mikael Antell, do Americans want their soldiers to obey US laws when they are in Finland?
"In fact, American troops are subject to their own legislation — of course, in compliance with Finnish norms. Most of this regulation comes from NATO," says Antell.
"In some ways, the terms of the agreement can be compared with various benefits for diplomats - for example, with respect to value added tax. The starting point is that one country does not pay taxes to another country. The main thing is that all funds can be directed to defense cooperation."
Comments from Finnish readers:Klapilpäähänlyöty
At the same time, we can join the USA, become a new state.
And leave the EU.
SJIt seems that Finland is being given to the Americans — and completely free of charge.
How many more things Niinisto will do before the end of his presidential term.
voi sentäänThis treaty is much larger and more dangerous than the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with the USSR.
KyselijäIf earlier it was said that Finland grovels before the USSR, especially Kekkonen, now Niinisto grovels and kneels before America.
Now there will also be this agreement. Finland is no longer an independent State. A few days ago, a veteran asked a question here: what did Virgo Finland get involved in?
