HELSINKI - The Finnish government on Thursday submitted the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Finland and the United States for parliamentary approval. The agreement was signed last December.

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"The DCA will improve the conditions for the United States to support Finland and strengthen Finland's security as a member of NATO," the Finnish government said in a press release.

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The Finnish government recommended to parliament that a two-thirds majority be required for the final approval, as parts of the DCA contravene the Finnish constitution. In the Finnish parliamentary process, the parliamentary constitutional committee ultimately determines the required majority.

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Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen expressed hope on Thursday that the DCA would be passed within a few weeks, the national radio Yle reported.

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Finnish nuclear energy laws prohibit any presence of nuclear weapons in Finland. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has assured that the DCA does not change this situation.

Orpo reiterated in mid-May that there is no intention in Finland to start changing the nuclear energy laws now.