Foreign Minister Haavisto and Secretary of State Blinken signed a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Advanced Wireless Communications

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Advanced Wireless Communications between Finland and the United States in Helsinki on 2 June. In the Joint Statement, Finland and the United States confirm their common ambition to cooperate in key areas of 6G research and development and to increase interaction between Finnish and US actors.

6G will represent a major transformation from the preceding generations of wireless communication technologies. Characteristic for this sector is the close interaction between scientific research, standardisation and commercialisation.

“Having a common set of values and achieving sustainable development goals in both bilateral and multilateral forums are important elements of 6G development. It is excellent that Finland and the United States can promote these important goals together as partners,” says Foreign Minister Haavisto.

Finland is a pioneer of 6G development. In 2018, Finland was the first country to launch an extensive 6G research programme. Finnish expertise in 6G will create new opportunities both commercially and politically. Close international cooperation is needed to make the most of it.

“6G is at the heart of Finland’s future success, and by working together with the United States we can strengthen our technological advantage. I am excited about the great opportunities we can create for research, development and commercialisation through our cooperation. As western democracies, we must show our unity in the international forums that decide on standards and frequencies,” says Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.

The Joint Statement between Finland and the United States was signed during Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to Finland. Finland and the United States have increased their technological cooperation in recent years. The Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Finland and the United States provides a good framework for furthering cooperation. Finland also stresses the importance of continuing discussions on technology cooperation between the EU and the United States in forums such as the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC). The Joint Statement was prepared in close cooperation between Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry for Foreign Affairs