The Finnish Parliament unanimously approved the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the US on July 1, Ednews informs referring to Yle News.

Under the agreement, Finland will open 15 of its military bases for potential use by US forces and will also allow the US to bring defence equipment, supplies, materials, and soldiers to Finland.

In addition, the agreement will see the creation of certain military zones, which will include facilities to which only US personnel will have access.

The agreement creates a framework for US activities and a more permanent presence in Finland.

MP Anna Kontula (Left) had submitted a proposal calling on MPs to reject the agreement, but her motion did not receive any backing. Therefore, Parliament did not vote on the agreement but approved it unanimously.

MPs had expressed broad approval of the terms of the treaty during a debate on Friday.

Finland's Constitutional Law Committee said in June that the agreement would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, as it affects several aspects of the Finnish constitution.

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) has stated that the DCA represents a significant deepening of the relationship between Finland and the US. The United States has similar agreements with more than 20 countries.

Finland began negotiating the DCA with Washington after applying for Nato membership in May 2022, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a few months earlier.