Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot signed a strategic partnership between Finland and France in Helsinki on 14 September 2026.
According to the joint declaration, Forward Deterrence complements NATO's nuclear deterrence, and the two countries called Finland's move an important step for European security and bilateral cooperation.
The partnership sets a framework for cooperation across security and defence, energy, environment and climate, and science and technology, and aims to boost bilateral commercial ties, according to the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The joint declaration also covers cooperation on Baltic Sea and Arctic security, critical raw materials, and support for Ukraine.
Valtonen called France "a key partner and ally for Finland", adding that “the current geopolitical situation underscores the importance of close partnerships”. The French defence attaché in Finland described the agreement as a “new and key milestone in a growing bilateral relationship” on X.
Barrot travelled to Helsinki from Rovaniemi, where he had attended the European Arctic Summit hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.