Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö said Tuesday that he had extended an invitation to US Defence Secretary James Mattis to participate in its main military drills due to take place in 2020 or 2021.
“Mattis commented positively on the matter, saying that we should have exercises. But of course they also have their own exercises programme and they need to be reconciled,” Niinistö told reporters in Helsinki Tuesday afternoon.
At a joint press conference with Mattis later, Niinistö told the US defence secretary that his country’s participation in the drills would be useful and welcome.
“We see the US presence in the Baltic area and the rest of Europe as a stabilising factor,” Niinistö said in his statement.
Mattis did not directly respond to Niinistö’s invitation. During his comments to the media he congratulated Finland on its independence centennial and thanked Finnish troops for their skill and work ethic.
Mattis was in Helsinki this week for bilateral talks with Finland as well as to attend the meeting of North Group defence ministers on Tuesday.