President Stubb approves Nato agreements, announces visit to Eastern Finland
President Alexander Stubb has approved Finland’s accession to NATO’s Status of Forces Agreement (Sofa) as well as the Paris Protocol.
The Sofa agreement sets out ground rules for military personnel on another state’s territory, while the Paris Protocol extends those rules to NATO’s central HQ staff.
The president also confirmed changes to national laws in order to accomodate the accession. Finnish Parliament approved the agreements on Tuesday.
Finland’s approval of Nato’s Sofa Agreement came days ahead of Stubb’s first domestic trip as president.
Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb are scheduled to travel to Niirala and Joensuu in the eastern border region next Wednesday, where they will visit the border guard station in Tohmajärvi and then meet representatives of the City of Joensuu.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: U.S. report claims Trudeau told NATO Canada will never meet military spending target, CBC News
Denmark: Danish policy prioritizes low-conflict Arctic amidst Russian tensions, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: NATO membership strengthens Arctic Security, deepens Canada ties: Finnish Ambassador, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland authorizes U.S. submarine service visits, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Russian jamming disrupting GPS signals for Norwegian aviation almost daily, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: As NATO forces move north for exercise, Northern Fleet sails out frigates, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish forces exercise in northern Norway as country officially joins NATO, Reuters
United States: U.S. nominates Alaskan as first Arctic ambassador, Eye on the Arctic
