Watch: Finland and the US sign major defence pact

Finland and the United States signed a major defence cooperation agreement in Washington on Monday.

  • Yle News

Finland and the United States signed a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Washington DC on Monday.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken penned the pact that has been highly publicised in Finland.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) was also in attendance.

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen and Secretary Antony Blinken hold up the signed DCA. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stands next to them.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken displayed the signed DCA at the US State Department on Monday, 18 December 2023. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) was also in attendance. Image: Mandel Ngan / AFP

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During the event, Blinken praised his country's good cooperation with Finland and said this year has been historical in terms of cooperation between Finland and the United States.

"Already Finland is making significant contributions to the alliance, sharing technical expertise, hosting and joining Nato military exercises, meeting and exceeding the Nato target of spending two percent of GDP on defence," Blinked said in a speech that also brought up his official visit to Helsinki this past June.

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