Finland will sign a defense agreement with the United States.

The Finnish government intends to sign a defense agreement with the United States Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) on December 18, the press service of the Cabinet reports.

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“At its plenary meeting on December 14, 2023, the Government of Finland decided to propose to the President of the Republic to authorize the Minister of Defense Antti Hakkänen or, if he is prevented from doing so, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, to sign a Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States,” the statement says.

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The Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is due to be signed in Washington on Monday, December 18. Since the DCA contains legislative provisions, it is subject to approval by Parliament, the Cabinet clarifies.

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The DCA addresses issues such as U.S. access to and use of agreed upon facilities and territories; pre-positioning of defense equipment, supplies and materiel on Finnish territory; entry and movement of US aircraft, vessels and vehicles; ensuring the safety, security, and security of U.S. forces and the facilities and territories they use; criminal jurisdiction; and a variety of practical issues related to the activities of US troops in Finland, the report said.