Stockholm [Sweden], September 17: NATO is working on establishing a military presence in northern Finland, where Sweden could take on a leading role.
This involves a unique model of the presence of multinational NATO forces, known as forward land forces (FLF), similar to those in other NATO countries bordering Russia, Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson and his Finnish counterpart Antti Hakkanen said at a press conference in Stockholm on Monday.
Jonson said they felt honoured to have been asked by the Finnish side to act as the so-called framework nation for the forward presence. He added that the presence would strengthen the security of the entire defence alliance.
According to Hakkanen's ministry, the project for the military presence was already approved by NATO at a defence ministers' meeting in June. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune