Finland says it is nearing security deal with US amid concerns over Russia
Source: The Guardian
Finland says it is nearing security deal with US amid concerns over Russia
Formally neutral country aims to have defense cooperation agreement,
involving joint military training and information sharing, complete before
US election
Julian Borger in Washington
Monday 22 August 2016 20.21 BST
Finland says it is close to concluding a defence cooperation agreement with the US, the latest in a series of steps the formally neutral Nordic country has taken to bolster its security in the face of heightened Russian military activity.
The countrys defence minister, Jussi Niinistö, said he hoped the deal incorporating joint military training, information sharing and research would be signed before the US presidential election in November.
Its one of the reasons to have it done this autumn. But Im certain we will continue to work together with either one of main candidates winning, Niinisto told Reuters news agency. There was no immediate response from the Pentagon on a potential agreement.
The deal would provide a framework for increased cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations but would not involve any binding commitment for either country to come to the defence of the other. Finland signed a similar agreement with the UK in July.
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/22/finland-us-russia-military-security