United States to gain access to 15 military bases in Finland

HELSINKI – Finland will sign a defence agreement next week giving the United States access to 15 military bases in

Nato’s newest member,

the Finnish Defence Ministry said on Dec 15.

“The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is to be signed in Washington, DC” on Dec 18 by Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The treaty must then be approved by the Nordic country’s Parliament.

“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,” the ministry added.

“It will also support the implementation of Nato’s deterrence and defence.”

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will be present in Washington during the signing to meet Mr Blinken.

The US signed a similar pact with Sweden on Dec 6 that gives Washington access to 17 military bases.

Concerns raised by

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

in February 2022 led both Finland and Sweden to abandon their long-standing military non-alignment and apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Finland joined the US-led military alliance in April, while

Sweden is still waiting

for its bid to be ratified by Nato members Hungary and Turkey. AFP