Finland Times

Finnish Defense Minister Carl Haglund and visiting Swedish counterpart Karin Engström signed the agreement in Helsinki, according to a Finnish language daily Helsingin Sanomat.

Both sides will step up cooperation in the air and naval defenses, with a focus on the Baltic Sea region, the report said.

Haglund was quoted as saying that joint Navy and Air Force units are a strong indication of the mutual trust between the two Nordic countries.

The Swedish minister said it is not a defense alliance, but an important cooperation, aiming to achieve effective and closer dialogues when common challenges arise.

"Sweden wants to strengthen security cooperation with neighboring area. Deeper cooperation between Finland and Sweden does not exclude other collaborations, such as Nordic cooperation or the EU and NATO cooperation," said Enstrom.

In details, the two countries will plan joint military exercises and trainings on a more regular basis, share air and naval surveillance intelligence and possibly standardize joint procurement of military equipment.