Yle: Finland intends to grant the US access to its military zones
In the near future, Helsinki is going to conclude an agreement with Washington on cooperation in the field of defense, Yle reports. Finland will grant the United States access to its airports, ports and land military zones. There will be no permanent American bases in the country.
Negotiations between Finland and the United States on defense cooperation are at the finish line, according to sources of the Finnish broadcasting company Yle.
Finland has been negotiating with the United States for more than a year.
The bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will establish how American troops can operate in Finland. With the help of the agreement, the parties will strengthen cooperation within the framework of NATO agreements.
The United States has similar agreements with 20 countries. Negotiations are underway with Sweden.
Finland hopes that cooperation with the United States will improve the country's security. A preliminary agreement was reached several years ago, but direct negotiations began only after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine.
Finland will give the United States access to its airports, ports and land military zones
According to Yle, Finland will allow American troops to use several Finnish garrisons or military bases. These include the territories of the land, sea and air forces.
The objects of joint use are listed in the annex to the agreement, and in them the parties took into account the wishes of the defense forces. At the moment, the text of the agreement is classified, and Yle has no information about which airports, ports or garrisons Finland will provide to the US military.
In addition, Finland and the United States have agreed on facilities that will be used only by the American side. On the territory of these facilities, the United States could, for example, store materials for the needs of its troops. Weapons, vehicles and other equipment can be placed on these objects.
Finland's neighbor Norway allows the United States to use three airports and one military port. According to Yle, in the agreement with Sweden, the number of such facilities will be more than in Norway.
Sources: there will be no permanent US base in Finland
The agreement will allow US troops to continue conducting exercises in Finland in the future. American troops have been training in Finland almost without interruptions for more than a year.
The agreement does not set limits on the number of troops or exercises, but this issue can be agreed at any time at the request of Finland.
There will be no American bases in Finland where the American military will be constantly present.
The negotiations are conducted by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. According to Yle, the final stage of negotiations will take place in the coming days. If both sides are satisfied, the agreement will be handed over to the Finnish leadership next week.
The agreement will be studied by the State Council, after which the document will be submitted for consideration and approval by the Parliament. The Constitutional Committee will decide whether half of the votes or two-thirds of the votes are enough to approve the agreement.
Author: Maria Stenroos
