Sun, 21 Aug, 2016 12:02:27 AM FTimes – STT Report, Aug 21  Defense Jussi Niinistö. Photo – Lehtikuva. Finland and the United States are likely to strike a deal on defence cooperation in autumn.
The agreement, according to Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö, is based on consensus and not legally binding.
“It enables different activities possible, such as joint exercises, material cooperation, training, and exchange of information, that is what we already have with the United States,” said Niinistö.
Cooperation with the United States was put on table earlier in the summer when Finland signed a framework agreement on defence cooperation with Britain.
The defence minister said the agreement with the United States is about the same as the one signed with Britain.
“This [agreement] is being prepared by officials. Certainly it will be completed this autumn. I cannot say the exact time [when the agreement will be completed],” said Niinistö.
Relevant parliamentary committees will be informed about the document in autumn.
Finnish Institute of International Affairs Director Teija Tiilikainen said there is probably a desire to complete the signing of the agreement before the US elections, because of concern of the possible rise of Republican candidate Donald Trump to power and its consequences.
Tiilikainen does not deem the defence cooperation as anything revolutionary. She stressed that Finland is following the footsteps of Sweden which signed a similar agreement with the USA in June.
There is a general trend in Europe to strike such agreements since the European Union’s common defence policy has not made any huge stride, Tiilikainen explained.
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