The government states on its website that Sweden and the USA have initiated the negotiation process for an agreement that deepens defence cooperation between our countries. The negotiations concern a so-called Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which will serve as a framework for continued defence cooperation by regulating the legal conditions for the presence of American forces in Sweden. The USA has entered into similar agreements with several other partner countries. A DCA opens up for even closer cooperation with the USA both bilaterally and within the framework of NATO.
The security situation in Europe has fundamentally changed with Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The new, deteriorated security situation means that Sweden needs to be able to act quickly on a complex security development – individually and together with others. The USA is Sweden's most important security and defence policy partner, both bilaterally and within NATO. In May 2016, Sweden and the USA signed a joint declaration of intent for deepened bilateral defence cooperation. In 2018, Sweden entered into a trilateral declaration of intent together with Finland and the USA. By creating conditions for an American presence in Sweden, including in the form of exercises, our security is strengthened.
Negotiations on a DCA are a natural development of Sweden's and the USA's long-standing cooperation in the security and defence area. A DCA enables more continuous cooperation by regulating the conditions for American forces to operate in another country. This includes issues such as the legal status of American military personnel, access to basing areas, pre-positioning of materiel, taxes, and customs. The agreement also creates conditions for American military support if the security situation requires it and is thus an agreement of great significance for Sweden's security. That the USA and Sweden are initiating negotiations on a DCA is a clear signal of continued American commitment to security in Europe and in our vicinity. The USA has also entered into a DCA with Norway and negotiations are ongoing with both Denmark and Finland regarding a DCA.
The agreement, and the legislative changes it is deemed to necessitate, will be reviewed and approved by the parliament. The agreement will be able to come into force once Sweden has implemented the necessary legislative changes. Once the agreement has been concluded, it enables our countries to further deepen our bilateral security and defence cooperation, strengthen cooperation as allies in NATO, as well as contribute to strengthened transatlantic security and stability.