HELSINKI, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Finland and Denmark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance defense cooperation, the Finnish Ministry of Defense announced in a press release on Tuesday.
The MOU was signed by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen and his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen during the Danish royal couple's state visit to Finland.
The two countries pledged to strengthen cooperation based on "shared values and mutual security interests," a commitment reinforced by Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Denmark's decision to join the European Union's security and defense cooperation.
According to the press release, the partnership will focus on areas such as NATO's deterrence and defense in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region, maritime cooperation, joint military exercises and training, collaboration on F-35 fighter jets, and military acquisitions.
It noted that with Europe's security landscape evolving rapidly, deeper defense cooperation is essential. Strengthened bilateral ties between Finland and Denmark will contribute to European security and support existing cooperation within NATO, the EU, and the Nordic Defense Cooperation. The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Danish King Frederik X and Queen Mary are on a state visit to Finland from March 4 to 5, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation within NATO. Discussions also include crisis resilience and the green transition, according to a press release from the Finnish President's Office. ■
