Finland is preparing to conclude a security agreement with the USA. The document will allow to expand cooperation between the countries in the field of defense.

 This was reported by Euractiv.

 According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Pekka Haavisto, the agreement is still at an initial stage, so the document is unlikely to be adopted in the spring.

 What is known about this agreement

 At the end of September last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland announced that it was starting negotiations with the US for Defense Cooperation (DCA). According to the ministry, the document will create conditions for closer cooperation if the security situation requires it. It is planned that the negotiations will last up to two years.

 It is worth noting that the USA has signed the DCA and agreements of similar status with 7 EU and NATO members, as well as with 6 more alliance countries that are not EU members, in particular with Norway.

 In June, the same Norway completed work on an additional agreement that allows the use of more American force on its territory.

 The Finnish-US agreement is likely to cover the status of US troops operating on Finnish soil, as well as taxation, customs duties and recognition of qualifications.