Johnson´s resignation not to affect Finland-UK defence co-op deal

The resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not put any impact on defence cooperation deal signed in May between Finland and the United Kingdom, reported national broadcaster Yle, quoting Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen on Thursday,

Johnson resigned as British prime minister and the leader of the Conservative Party following a series of scandals.

He, however, will continue to serve as prime minister until a new Tory leader is chosen.

"The mutual commitments between Finland and the UK are not personal, but are between states, and in this respect, such changes in personnel, which occur in politics from time to time, do not affect relations or commitments between the states," Kaikkonen told Yle.

On May 11, President Sauli Niinistö and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed a defence cooperation deal in Helsinki to assist each other during crisis period in various ways including military assistance.

The cooperation will remain fully in line with each country's security and defence policy and is designed to complement not replace existing European and Euro-Atlantic cooperation.

According to the agreement, the two countries will also intensify and deepen their cooperation in countering hybrid threats and influence activities.