Finland, U.S. sign statement of intent on bilateral defense cooperation

Finland and the United States signed a statement of intent here on bilateral defense cooperation, the Finnish defense ministry announced on Friday.

The statement of intent was signed by Finnish defense minister Jussi Niinisto and Robert Work, the deputy secretary of defense of the United States, who is in Finland for a two-day visit.

The document outlines the defense cooperation between the two countries in the future. It features measures to increase information sharing, enhancing cooperative research and development, especially in cyber security, air defense, and arctic technologies.

Efforts will also be made to increase training and exercises and strengthen cooperation in multinational operations.

The statement claimed that the defense cooperation between Finland and the United States was the cornerstone of stability in the Baltic region and northern Europe.

After signing the document, Niinisto told media the United States was interested in security in northern Europe and cooperation with the countries in the area.

The United States signed a similar statement of intent with Sweden earlier in summer this year, according to Niinisto.

Niinisto said that signing the document does not take Finland a single step closer towards NATO. Endit