President of the Republic decides on Finland’s accession to NATO Status of Forces Agreement and Paris Protocol

The President of the Republic of Finland approved the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Paris Protocol on 22 March 2024. The President of the Republic confirmed the acts for acceptance and bringing into force of the agreements as well as related amendments to certain national acts.

The President of the Republic decided on Finland’s accession to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Paris Protocol on 22 March. The Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces concerns the legal status of the forces of a NATO member state when they are in the territory of another NATO member state in connection with their official duties. The Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty, or the Paris Protocol, extends the provisions of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement to Allied headquarters in the territory of a NATO member state and to their military and civilian personnel.

Finland will accede to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Paris Protocol by depositing the instruments of accession with the Government of the United States. Finland’s accession will enter into force 30 days after of the date of deposit of the instruments of accession.

The President of the Republic also confirmed the acts bringing into force the agreements and incorporating them into Finnish legislation and related amendments to certain national acts. The acts bringing into force the agreements will be brought into force by a government decree after Finland has deposited the instruments of accession. Some of the amendments to the national acts will enter into force on 1 April 2024 and others on 27 April 2024.