Finland and the United States on Wednesday signed the Implementing Agreement Regarding Infrastructure in Implementation of the Agreement on Defence Cooperation Between the countries, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release.
The agreement concerns the mechanisms for the planning, contracts, implementation and funding of infrastructure construction under the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).
This first implementing agreement was signed in Stuttgart, Germany, by the United States European Command (USEUCOM), on behalf of the United States, and by Brigadier General Markku Viitasaari, Director of the National Defence Unit at the Ministry of Defence, on behalf of Finland.
"The agreement now signed will deepen the defence cooperation between Finland and the United States in terms of infrastructure and construction," said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
He said that defence cooperation between Finland and the United States strengthens security in Finland.
"The Defence Cooperation Agreement we have with the United States that enables US military presence and commitment to Finland's defence. Finland will not be coerced or undermined by military force," the Minister added.
Finland and the United States are currently negotiating five additional implementing agreements that concern security, taxation, entry and exit requirements, customs duties and imports.
The negotiations on this set of agreements are scheduled to be concluded by the end of 2025.
The next set of agreements to be negotiated will concern the environment and the movement of aircraft, vessels and vehicles. Their preparation will start once the negotiations on the first six agreements have been concluded.
The Defence Cooperation Agreement between Finland and the United States enables the presence and training of US forces in Finland.
- Finland
- USA
- Defence
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
