Finland assessing French Nuke deterrence initiative: PM

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Sunday that Finland is still assessing whether to take part in France's initiative to strengthen European nuclear deterrence, reported Xinhua.

Finland needs more information and must seriously consider the French initiative, he told local media, adding that he would raise the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting in Paris next week.

The remarks came after Norway announced on Wednesday that it would join a process linked to France's "forward" deterrence initiative. Sweden and Denmark have also moved to deepen strategic nuclear-deterrence cooperation with France.

Europe must strengthen its own defense, he said. "We may have to replace some capabilities that have been only American with European capabilities."

Such a transition should take place in a controlled manner and in cooperation with the United States, he added.