Finland, US agree on exchange, liaison officers

Ministry of Defence authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign two blanket agreements between Finland and the United States on exchange and liaison officers, said the ministry in a press release on Monday.

The agreements enable Finnish officers to serve in tasks of the United States Armed Forces and US officers to serve in tasks of the Finnish Defence Forces.

“The United States is an important and close ally and a strategic partner for Finland. Our defence cooperation strengthens Finland’s defence capability. Exchange and liaison officers will help us strengthen the relations and military cooperation between our countries and develop our mutual interoperability,” said Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen in a press release.

Six members of the Finnish Defence Forces’ military personnel are currently serving in the command structure and forces of the United States Armed Forces. The new agreements replace all existing task-specific agreements.