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Defense Cooperation, Russia on Agenda for Work's Finnish Visit

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Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work arrived here yesterday for two days of talks on defense cooperation, strengthening regional ties, and addressing security concerns, including unsafe Russian behavior over or on the Baltic Sea.

Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work greets Finnish sailors before observing a military exercise in Helsinki, Oct. 6, 2016. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee
Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work greets Finnish sailors before observing a military exercise in Helsinki, Oct. 6, 2016. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee
Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work greets Finnish sailors before observing a military exercise in Helsinki, Oct. 6, 2016. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee
DSD observes Finnish Military Exercise
Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work greets Finnish sailors before observing a military exercise in Helsinki, Oct. 6, 2016. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee
Photo By: MC1 Tim D. Godbee
VIRIN: 161006-D-LP538-001

"This is a chance for us really just to exchange views on Russia, talk about areas of cooperation, and explore -- when we add Sweden -- more that we can do in a trilateral sense," Work said in an interview with DoD News while en route here.

Immediately after arriving in the Finnish capital, Work toured a jet-powered Rauma-class missile boat and observed fast-moving exercises that included Finnish troops launching a beach assault, engaging in intense firefights, conducting a hostage rescue and clearing a building.

Work highlighted a Statement of Intent he will be signing today, a nonbinding document that focuses on greater information sharing with Finland, and building interoperability through exercises and training, he explained.

Today also will feature the first trilateral meeting involving the United States, Finland and Sweden, he said. All these developments, he added, are a good way to move forward in enhancing defense cooperation and bilateral and regional relationships.

Capping Regional Visit

The visit to Finland, Work pointed out, caps his final visit over two years to Baltic and Nordic nations.

"A concentration for us over the last two years is for the Nordic and the Baltic countries -- from Iceland all the way to Finland -- to think more in terms of working together and cooperating in interoperating and training," he said.

A key development to come out of these discussions, Work said, is an effort to have a quick and unified condemnation when Russia does something provocative, such as what he called its "unsafe, aggressive" actions in the Baltic Sea.

'Punch Above Their Weight'

Finland, a strong ally, is committed to global peace and security, Work pointed out. The Nordic nation, which is not a NATO member, became a NATO enhanced opportunity partner in 2014, and signed a memorandum on host-nation support, he said.

Finland, the deputy secretary said, is a staunch partner in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and is doubling the number of trainers it has in Irbil, Iraq, to 100. Finland also contributes to NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, as well as to training and peacekeeping missions around the globe, he noted.

"So even though they're a small country, they really punch above their weight when it comes to peacekeeping," he said.

Work and his regional partners will conclude the visit with an afternoon news conference.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)

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