Foreign relations of Finland

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Republic of Finland

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The foreign relations of Finland are in the responsibility of President of Finland, who leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government. Implicitly the government is responsible for internal policy and decisionmaking in the European Union. Within the government, preparative discussions are conducted in the government committee of foreign and security policy (ulko- ja turvallisuuspoliittinen ministerivaliokunta), which includes the Prime Minister and at least Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence, and at most four other ministers as necessary.^[1] The committee meets with the President as necessary. Laws concerning foreign relations are discussed in the parliamentary committee of foreign relations (ulkoasiainvaliokunta). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy. The current officerholders are President Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies.

During the Cold War, Finland's foreign policy was based on official neutrality between the Western powers and the Soviet Union, while simultaneously stressing Nordic cooperation in the framework of the Nordic Council and cautious economic integration to the West as in the Bretton-Woods Agreement and the free trade treaty with the European Economic Community. Finland did not join the Soviet Union's economic sphere (Comecon) but remained a free-market economy and conducted bilateral trade with the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Finland unilaterally abrogated the last restrictions imposed on it by the Paris peace treaties of 1947 and the Finno-Soviet Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. Although opposed by socialists and agrarians, the government filed an EU membership application three months after the dissolution of the USSR and became a member in 1995. Finland did not attempt to join NATO, even though other post-Soviet countries in the Baltic sea and elsewhere joined. Nevertheless, defense policymakers have quietly converted to NATO equipment and contributed troops.

President Martti Ahtisaari and the coalition governments led Finland closer to the core EU in the late 1990s. Finland was considered a cooperative model state, and Finland did not oppose proposals for a common EU defence policy.^[2] This was reversed in the 2000s, when Tarja Halonen and Erkki Tuomioja made Finland's official policy to resist other EU members' plans for common defense.^[2] However, Halonen allowed Finland to join European Union Battlegroups in 2006 and the NATO Response Force in 2008. Relations with most countries except Russia have been good.

Relations with Russia are cordial and common issues include bureaucracy (particularly at the Vaalimaa border crossing), airspace violations, development aid Finland gives to Russia (especially in environmental problems that affect Finland), and Finland's energy dependency on Russian gas and electricity. Behind the scenes, the administration has witnessed a resurrection of Soviet-era tactics. The National Security Agency, SUPO, estimates that the known number of Russian agents from SVR and GRU now exceeds Cold War levels and there are unknown numbers of others.^[3]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Relations With the Soviet Union 1.1.1 Humiliation 1.1.2 Reassurance 1.2 2000 constitution 2 Multilateral Relations 3 Relations with various countries 3.1 Relations with United States 3.2 Relations with Sweden 3.3 Relations with Estonia 3.4 Relations with Russia 4 Relations by country 5 International organization participation 6 See also 7 References

[edit] History

After independence from Russia in 1917, the Finnish Civil War, including interventions by Imperial Germany and Soviet Russia, and failure of the Communist revolution, resulted in the official ban on Communism, and strengthening relations with Western countries. Overt alliance with Germany was not possible due to the result of the First World War, but in general the period of 1918 to 1939 was characterised by economic growth and increasing integration to the Western world economy. Relations with Soviet Russia from 1918 to 1939 were icy; voluntary expeditions to Russia called heimosodat ended only in 1920. However, attempts to establish military alliances were unsuccessful. Thus, when the Winter War broke out, Finland was left alone to resist the Soviet attack. Later, in Continuation War, Finland declared "co-belligerency" with Nazi Germany, and allowed Northern Finland to be used as a German attack base. The peace settlement in 1944 with the Soviet Union led to the Lapland War in 1945, where Finland fought Germans in Northern Finland.

From the end of the Continuation War with the Soviet Union in 1944 until 1991, the policy was to avoid superpower conflicts and to build mutual confidence with the Western powers and the Soviet Union. Although the country was culturally, socially, and politically Western, Finns realised they must live in peace with the USSR and take no action that might be interpreted as a security threat. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 opened up dramatic new possibilities for Finland and has resulted in the Finns actively seeking greater participation in Western political and economic structures. The popular support for the strictly self-defensive doctrine remains.

[edit] Relations With the Soviet Union

The principal architect of the post-1944 foreign policy of neutrality was J.K. Paasikivi, who was President from 1946 to 1956. Urho Kekkonen, President from 1956 until 1981, further developed this policy, stressing that Finland should be an active rather than a passive neutral. This policy is now popularly known as the “Paasikivi-Kekkonen Line.”

[edit] Humiliation

Finland signed the Paris Peace Treaty with the Allies in February 1947, which:

• confirmed Finland’s concessions in the Moscow Peace Treaty with exception for the Soviet lease of Hanko Peninsula in south-westernmost Finland
• limited the size of Finland’s armed forces
• ratified the cessions after the Winter War and the Continuation War
• gave the Soviet Union a naval base at Porkkala 30 kilometres west of Helsinki including rights of free transit
• contained provisions directed against “Fascism in Finland”
• called for Finland to pay to the Soviet Union war reparations amounting to an estimated $570 million in 1952, the year the payments ended. Arguably these reparations, however, strengthened the Finnish economy.^{[citation needed]}

The development from the Abyssinia crisis, indicating the failure of the League of Nations, to the Paris Peace Treaty, when the last hope of more than oral support from the ideologically akin Western countries faded, convinced the Finns that they had absolutely no-one other than themselves to rely on in their problematic relations with the Soviet Union.

The Finnish Army, which in defence against the Soviet Union had numbered to over 500,000, was to be limited to 34,400 men, the navy to 4,500 men and 10,000 tons, and the air force to 3,000 men and 60 planes. With this provision the Western Allies had, seemingly, left Finland in the Soviet Union’s power.

The political clauses of the Paris Peace Treaty were particularly alienating. Through this clause, the Allies agreed to the Kremlin view that the Soviet Union represented “Liberty” and Finland represented “Fascism”. The peace treaty stipulated that the country should take all measures necessary to secure “human rights and the fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, of press and publication, of religious worship, of political opinion and of public meeting.” Finland’s government undertook further to prevent the resurgence of Fascist organisations or any others, “whether political, military or semi-military, whose purpose it is to deprive the people of their democratic rights.” With the exception that the victor’s interpretation of “Fascist organisations” turned out to be wide, these clauses had no practical effects.

[edit] Reassurance

(See also: Finlandization)

For the survival of Finland as an independent sovereign country, firmly convicted in the value of democracy, human and civil rights, Finland had to find a formula to convince Stalin and his successors, that the Soviet Union’s vital interests could be met voluntarily by the Finns. This was the gist of the Paasikivi doctrine.

In April 1948, Finland signed an Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union. Under this mutual assistance pact, Finland was obliged — with the aid of the Soviet Union, if requested by Finland, not unilaterally by USSR — to resist armed attacks by Germany or its allies against Finland or against the USSR through Finland. At the same time, the agreement recognised Finland’s desire to remain outside great-power conflicts. This agreement was renewed for 20 years in 1955, in 1970, and again in 1983 to the year 2003. In practice, this prevented Finland from joining NATO. Also, President Urho Kekkonen gained a disproportionate political advantage over his opponents by monopolizing this policy.

Finland responded cautiously in 1990–91 to the collapse of the Soviet Union. They unilaterally abrogated restrictions imposed by the 1947 and 1948 treaties, joined in voicing Nordic concern over the coup against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and gave increasing unofficial encouragement to Baltic independence.

At the same time, by replacing the Soviet-Finnish mutual assistance pact with treaties on general cooperation and trade, Finns put themselves on an equal footing while retaining a friendly bilateral relationship. Finland now is boosting cross-border commercial ties and touting its potential as a commercial gateway to Russia. It has reassured Russia that it will not raise claims for Finnish territory seized by the USSR, and continues to reaffirm the importance of good bilateral relations.

Although the Karelian question in Finnish politics remains in the public debate, irredentists have persistently failed to gain support from the majority of the populace, political establishment or political parties.

[edit] 2000 constitution

In the 2000 constitution, where diverse constitutional laws were unified into one statute, the leading role of the President was slightly moderated. However, because the constitution still stipulates only that the President leads foreign policy and the government internal policy, the responsibility over European Union affairs is not explicitly resolved. Implicitly this belongs to the powers of the government. In a cohabitation situation as with the current Matti Vanhanen's second government right-wing government and left-wing President Tarja Halonen, there can be friction between government ministers and the president.

The arrangement has been criticised by Risto E.J. Penttilä for not giving a simple answer of who's in charge.^[2]

[edit] Multilateral Relations

Finnish foreign policy emphasises its participation in multilateral organisations. Finland joined the United Nations in 1955 and the European Union in 1995. As noted, the country also is a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace as well as an observer in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Western European Union. The military has been prepared to be more compatible with NATO, as co-operation with NATO in peacekeeping is needed, but military alliance does not have popular support.

In the European Union, Finland is a member of the Eurozone, and in addition, the Schengen treaty abolishing passport controls. 60% of foreign trade is to the EU. Other large trade partners are Russia and the United States.

Finland is well represented in the UN civil service in proportion to its population and belongs to several of its specialised and related agencies. Finnish troops have participated in UN peacekeeping activities since 1956, and the Finns continue to be one of the largest per capita contributors of peacekeepers in the world. Finland is an active participant in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and in early 1995 assumed the co-chairmanship of the OSCE’s Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Cooperation with the other Scandinavian countries also is important to Finland, and it has been a member of the Nordic Council since 1955. Under the council’s auspices, the Nordic countries have created a common labor market and have abolished immigration controls among themselves. The council also serves to coordinate social and cultural policies of the participating countries and has promoted increased cooperation in many fields.

In addition to the organisations already mentioned, Finland is a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, the International Finance Corporation, the International Development Association, the Bank for International Settlements, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Finland has moved steadily towards integration into Western institutions and abandoned its formal policy of neutrality, which has been recast as a policy of military nonalliance coupled with the maintenance of a credible, independent defence. Finland’s 1994 decision to buy 64 F-18 Hornet fighter planes from the United States signalled the abandonment of the country’s policy of balanced arms purchases from Communist countries and Western countries.

In 1994, Finland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace; the country is also an observer in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Finland became a full member of the European Union (EU) in January 1995, at the same time acquiring observer status in the EU’s defence arm, the Western European Union.

[edit] Relations with various countries

Generally, Finland has abided by the principle of neutrality and has good relations with nearly all countries, as evidenced by the freedom of travel that a Finnish passport gives.

[edit] Relations with United States

Relations between the United States and Finland are warm. Some 200,000 US citizens visit Finland annually, and about 3,000 US citizens are resident there. The US has an educational exchange program in Finland that is comparatively large for a Western European country of Finland’s size. It is financed in part from a trust fund established in 1976 from Finland’s final repayment of a US loan made in the aftermath of World War I.

Finland is bordered on the east by Russia and, as one of the former Soviet Union’s neighbours, has been of particular interest and importance to the US both during the Cold War and in its aftermath. Before the USSR dissolved in 1991, longstanding US policy was to support Finnish neutrality while maintaining and reinforcing Finland’s historic, cultural, and economic ties with the West. The US has welcomed Finland’s increased participation since 1991 in Western economic and political structures.

Economic and trade relations between Finland and the United States are active and were bolstered by the F-18 purchase. US-Finland trade totals almost $5 billion annually. The US receives about 7% of Finland’s exports — mainly wood pulp and paper, ships, machinery, electronics and instruments and refined petroleum products^[4] — and provides about 7% of its imports — principally computers, semiconductors, aircraft, machinery.

[edit] Relations with Sweden

Finland and Sweden have always had very close relations, resulting from shared history, numerous commonalities in society and politics, and close trade relations. A newly appointed Foreign Minister makes his first state visit to Sweden. Finnish politicians often consider Sweden's reaction to international affairs first as a base for further actions, and thus finally both countries often agree on such issues. If there has ever been any dissonance between the two countries those were the Åland question in the early 1920s and the Swedish neutrality during the Winter War. Both Finland and Sweden are members of the European Union and the Schengen agreement, freeing international travel and trade between the countries. Furthermore both participate in the Nordic Council, which grants Swedish nationals slightly more extensive rights than the EU/Schengen treaties alone.

[edit] Relations with Estonia

Finland's main language, Finnish, is related to Estonian, and there is and has been a certain feeling of kinship. 76% of Finns have visited Estonia and in 2004, 1.8 million Finns reported visiting Estonia. Finnish and Swedish investors are the largest foreign investors in Estonia.^[5] Both Finland and Estonia are members of the European Union and the Schengen agreement, freeing international travel and trade between the countries.

Finland's government recognised Estonia's independence in 1920. In response to the Soviet invasion, diplomatic missions were de facto removed. However, when Estonia declared independence, this "temporary obstruction" was resolved.

Finland contributed and continues to contribute military aid to Estonia; e.g. training of officers, provision of equipment.

[edit] Relations with Russia

This section requires expansion.

Relations with Russia are peaceful. Finland imports a lot of goods and basic necessities, such as fuel, and the two nations are agreeing on issues more than disagreeing on them.

Finland was a part of the Russian Empire for 108 years, after being annexed from the Swedish empire. Discontent with Russian rule, Finnish national identity, and World War I eventually caused Finland to break away from Russia, taking advantage of the fact that Russia was withdrawing from World War I and a revolution was starting in earnest. Following the Finnish Civil War and October revolution, Russians were virtually equated with Communists and due to official hostility to Communism, Finno-Soviet relations in the period between the world wars remained tense. Voluntary activists arranged expeditions to Karelia (heimosodat), which ended when Finland and the Soviet Union signed the Treaty of Tartu in 1920. However, the Soviet Union did not abide by the treaty when they blockaded Finnish naval ships. Finland was attacked by the USSR in 1939. Finland fought the Winter War and the Continuation War against the Soviet Union in World War II. During these wars the Finns suffered 90,000 casualties and inflicted severe casualties on the Russians (120,000 dead in the Winter War, 200,000 in the Continuation War) as compared to other nations such as Poland.

Contemporary issues include problems with border controls causing persistent truck queues at the border, airspace violations, pollution of the Baltic Sea, and Russian duties on exported wood to Finland's pulp and paper industry. Right-wing commentators accuse the government of continuing the policy of Finlandisation.

[edit] Relations by country

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Afghanistan	1956-05-11May 11, 1956	Afghanistan recognised the independence of Finland on July 17, 1928. Afghanistan is representated in Finland through its embassy in Oslo, Norway.[6] Finland opened a Liaison Office in Kabul in 2002. It converted into an embassy on January 1, 2006.[7] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Afghanistan
Argentina	1918-05-11May 11, 1918	Argentina has an embassy in Helsinki.[8] Finland has an embassy in Buenos Aires and 5 honorary consulates (in Córdoba, Mendoza, Oberá, Rosario and Ushuaia).[9] Argentina Ministry of Foreign Relations: list of bilateral treaties with Finland (in Spanish only) Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Argentina
Armenia	1992-03-25March 25, 1992	Finland recognised Armenia on December 30, 1991. Armenia is represented in Finland by a non-resident ambassador (based in Yerevan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Finland is represented in Armenia by a non resident ambassador (based in Helsinki at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and an honorary consulate in Yerevan. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Armenia
Australia		See Australia–Finland relations
Austria		See Austria–Finland relations
Belgium		See Belgium–Finland relations
Brazil		See Brazil–Finland relations
Bulgaria	1918-08-05August 5, 1918	In 1963, the diplomatic representations of the two countries were upgraded to the level of embassy. Bulgaria has an embassy in Helsinki and an honorary consulate in Kemi.[10] Finland has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[11] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria
Canada		See Canada–Finland relations
Chile		See Chile–Finland relations
Croatia		See Croatian-Finnish relations
Cyprus	1961-09-02September 2, 1961	Finland recognised Cyprus on August 16, 1960. Cyprus has an embassy in Helsinki and an honorary consulate in Vantaa.[12] Finland has an embassy and two honorary consulates in Nicosia.[13] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Cyprus Foreign Affairs: List of bilateral treaties with Finland
Czech Republic		See Czech Republic – Finland relations
Denmark		See Denmark–Finland relations
Egypt		See Egypt–Finland relations
Estonia		See Estonia–Finland relations
Ethiopia		See Ethiopia–Finland relations
France	1918-01-24January 24, 1918	France one of the first countries which recognised Finland's independence on January 4, 1918. France is represented in Finland through its embassy in Helsinki and its honorary consulates in Hämeenlinna, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Tampere and Turku.[14] Finland has an embassy in Paris and 18 honorary consulates (in Ajaccio, Bordeaux, Brest, Caen, Cherbourg, Dijon, Lille, Lyons, Marseille, Monaco, Nancy, Nice, Reims, Rouen, Sète, Strasbourg, Toulouse and Papeete in Tahiti).[15] There are an estimated 6000 Finns living in France. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of France about relations with Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with France History of the relations of Finland and France on Finnish Embassy in Paris websites
Georgia	1992-07-08July 8, 1992	Finland recognised Georgia on March 27, 1992. Finland is represented in Georgia by a non resident ambassador (based in Helsinki at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and an honorary consulate in Tbilissi. Georgia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden) and an honorary consulate in Helsinki. On 22 April 2009, the Georgian Foreign Minister visited Finland. [16] Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Georgia Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland
Germany	1973-01-07January 7, 1973	Germany recognised Finland's independence on January 4, 1918. The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic (West and East Germany) were both recognised on January 7, 1972 by Finland. Diplomatic relations between Finland and West Germany were established on January 7, 1973. Germany has embassy in Helsinki.[17] Finland has an embassy in Berlin, a consulate general in Hamburg, two honorary consulates general in Düsseldorf and Munich and other honorary consulates in Bremen, Dresden, Frankfurt am Main, Hanover, Kiel, Lübeck, Rostock, Stuttgart and Wilhelmshaven. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Germany about relations with Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Germany
Hungary	1947-05-20May 20, 1947	Hungary recognised Finland on August 23, 1920. Finland recognised Hungary on September 10, 1920. Finland broke of diplomatic relations on September 20, 1944. Diplomatic relations were re-established on May 20, 1947. Finland has an embassy in Budapest and an honorary consulate in Pécs. Hungary has an embassy in Helsinki and four honorary consulates (in Turku, Mariehamn, Tampere and Joensuu).[18] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Hungary
Iceland	1947-08-15August 15, 1947	Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate general in Reykjavík and other honorary consulates in Akureyri, Bolungarvik, Egilsstadir and Vestmannaeyjar. Iceland has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and of the Nordic Council. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Finland
India	1949-10-01October 1, 1949	India has an embassy in Helsinki.[19] Finland has an embassy in New Delhi and three honorary consulate in Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with India
Indonesia	1954-09-06September 6, 1954	Finland recognised the independence of Indonesia on February 10, 1950. Indonesia has an embassy in Helsinki.[20] Finland has an embassy in Jakarta and honorary consulates in Denpasar and Medan.[21] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Indonesia
Ireland	1961-11-02November 2, 1961	Finland has an embassy in Dublin and three honorary consulates (in Cork, Dublin and Limerick).[22] Ireland has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Helsinki.[23] Both countries are full members of Council of Europe and of the European Union. Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ireland
Israel	1950-11-14November 14, 1950	Finland recognised Israel on March 18, 1949. Finland has an embassy in Tel Aviv.[24] Israel has an embassy in Helsinki.[25] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. See also History of the Jews in Finland Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Israel
Italy	1919-09-06September 6, 1919	Italy recognised Finland's independence on June 27, 1919. Italy is represented in Finland through its embassy in Helsinki and its honorary consulates in Hanko, Jyväskylä, Kotka, Kuopio, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa.[26] Finland has an embassy in Rome, two honorary consulate generals in Milan and Turin and other honorary consulates in Genoa, Bari, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Livorno, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Rimini, Trieste and Venice.[27] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Italy
Japan	1919-09-06September 6, 1919	Japan recognised Finland on May 23, 1919. Finland has an embassy in Tokyo, an honorary consulate general in Osaka and other honorary consulates in Kitakyushu, Nagano, Nagoya and Sapporo. Japan has an embassy in Helsinki. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Japan Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland
Kenya	1965-06-14June 14, 1965	Finland recognised Kenya on December 13, 1963. Kenya is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Nairobi and an honorary consulate in Mombasa. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Kenya
Kosovo		Finland recognised Kosovo March 7, 2008.[28][29] Finland maintains an Embassy in Pristina.[30]
Latvia	1991-08-29August 29, 1991	Finland recognised Latvia's independence de facto on September 23, 1919 and de jure on January 21, 1921. Finland has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Helsinki and four honorary consulates (in Åland, Satakunta, Kymenlaakso and Oulu. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and of the European Union. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Latvia Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Latvia about relations with Finland
Lithuania	1991-08-29August 29, 1991	Finland recognised Lithuania's independence de facto on November 14, 1919 and de jure on October 14, 1921. Finland has an embassy in Vilnius and an honorary consulate in Klaipeda. Lithuania has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and of the European Union. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Lithuania
Luxembourg	1921-10-25October 25, 1921	Luxembourg recognised Finland's independence on October 25, 1921. Luxembourg is represented in Finland through its embassy in Copenhagen.[31] Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate general in Luxembourg.[32] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Luxembourg
Mexico	1936-10-02October 2, 1936	Mexico recognised the independence of Finland on July, 1920. Mexico has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Mexico D.F. and honorary consulates in Acapulco, Cancun, Ciudad Juárez, Guadalajara, Mérida, Monterrey, Puebla, Tampico, Tijuana and Veracruz.[33] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
Morocco	1959-07-17July 17, 1959	Finland recognised Morocco's independence of on 8 June 1956. Finland has an embassy in Rabat, an honorary consulate general in Casablanca and other honorary consulates in Agadir, Kenitra, Marrakech, Safi and Tangiers.[34] Morocco has an embassy in Helsinki. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Morocco
Mozambique	1975-07-18July 18, 1975	Finland recognised Mozambique on July 4, 1975. Mozambique is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Maputo. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Mozambique
Namibia	1990-03-21March 21, 1990	See Finland–Namibia relations Finland recognised Namibia on March 21, 1990. Both countries established diplomatic relations on the same day. Namibia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Windhoek and an honorary consulate in Walvis Bay.
Nepal	1955-08-30August 30, 1955	Finland recognised Nepal on December 14, 1955. Nepal is represented in Finland through its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. Finland has an embassy in Kathmandu. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Nepal
Netherlands	1918-08-18August 18, 1918	The Netherlands recognised Finland's independence on January 28, 1918. The Netherlands has an embassy in Helsinki and consulates (in Kuopio, Mariehamn, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa).[35] Finland has an embassy in the Hague, an honorary consulate general in Amsterdam and other honorary consulates in Rotterdam and Terneuzen.[36] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands about relations with Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Belgium
Nicaragua		See Finland–Nicaragua relations Finland has an embassy in Managua.
Norway	1918-04-06April 6, 1918	Norway recognised Finland's independence on January 10, 1918. Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate general in Oslo and other honorary consulates in Bergen, Bodø, Drammen, Farsund, Grimstad, Halden, Hamar, Hammerfest, Haugesund, Horten, Kirkenes, Kristiansand, Kristiansund, Larvik, Moss, Narvik, Sarpsborg, Stavanger, Tromsø, Trondheim, Vadsø and Aalesund. Norway has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and of the Nordic Council. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Norway
People's Republic of China		See People's Republic of China – Finland relations The two international trade organisations are the Finland-China Trade Association and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). One of the fastest growing areas of trade between the two countries is in environmental protection.[2] [3] and information technology. Nokia is the largest Finnish investor in China.
Poland	1919-03-08March 8, 1919	Finland has an embassy in Warsaw and an honorary consulate in Gdynia. Poland has an embassy in Helsinki.[37] Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and of the European Union. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Poland
Portugal	1920-01-10January 10, 1920	Portugal recognised Finland's independence on December 19, 1919. Portugal has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Lisbon and honorary consulates in Faro, Lisbon, Porto, Vila Real de Santo António, Ponta Delgada in the Azores and Funchal in Madeira.[38] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Portugal
Romania	1949-10-14October 14, 1949	Romania recognised Finland on April 8, 1920. Finland has an embassy in Bucharest and two honorary consulates (in Bucharest and Constanţa).[39] Romania has an embassy in Helsinki.[40] Both countries are full members of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Romania Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland
Russia		See Finland–Russia relations Russia has an embassy in Helsinki and a consulate-general in Mariehamn. Finland has an embassy in Moscow, a consulate-general in Saint Petersburg, and two branches of the consulate (in Murmansk and Petrozavodsk). Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Saudi Arabia	1969-09-23September 23, 1969	Finland has embassy in Riyadh and an honorary consulate general in Jedda.[41] Saudi Arabia will open an embassy in Helsinki. [42] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Saudi Arabia
Serbia	1929	Finland has an embassy in Belgrade.[43] Serbia has an embassy in Helsinki.[44] Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Serbia Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland
Slovakia	1993-01-01January 1, 1993	Finland recognised the independence of Slovakia on January 1, 1993. Slovakia has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Bratislava.[45] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Slovakia
Slovenia	1992-02-17February 17, 1992	Finland recognised Slovenia on January 17, 1992. Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Tensions between the countries rose in late 2008 when a news program on Finland's national broadcasting company stattion YLE accused Finnish weapons manufacturer Patria of bribing Slovenian officials to secure an arms deals. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa formally complained to the Finnish ambassador in Ljubljana.[46] This controversy became known as the Patria case. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Slovenia
South Africa	1949-05-15May 15, 1949	See Finland – South Africa relations A South African legation was established in 1967 and relations were then upgraded to ambassadorial level in March 1991.[47] Finland has an embassy in Pretoria, a general consulate in Johannesburg and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Helsinki.[47] During World War II South Africa declared war on Finland.[48] Finland was a strong supporter of the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa.[48][49][50] South Africa exports to Finland fresh and dried fruits, wine, pulp, paper, iron, steel and coal. South Africa imports telecommunication equipment, paper, board products, and machinery from Finland.[47] Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland
South Korea	1973-08-24August 24, 1973	Finland recognised South Korea on April 13, 1973. Finland has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Helsinki. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea about relations with Finland
Spain	1918-08-16August 16, 1918	Spain recognised Finland's independence on February 21, 1918. Spain has an embassy in Helsinki.[51] Finland has an embassy in Madrid, a consulate in Las Palmas, two honorary consulate general in Barcelona and Sevilla and other honorary consulates in Benidorm, Bilbao, Gijón, La Coruña, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Pilar de la Horadada, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santander, Valencia and Vigo.[52] Both countries are full members of the European Union. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Spain
Sweden		See Finland–Sweden relations Finnish-Swedish relations have a long history, due to the close relationship between Finland and Sweden.
Syria	1953-05-22May 22, 1953	Finland has an embassy in Damascus and two honorary consulates general in Aleppo and Latakia. Syria is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[53] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Syria
Tanzania	1865-06-14June 14, 1865	Finland recognised Tanganyika on December 9, 1961. Tanzania is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Dar es Salaam. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Tanzania
Thailand	1954-06-21June 21, 1954	Thailand, previously known as Siam, recognised Finland's independence on October 9, 1919. Siam was the second non-European state after the United States and the first Asian state to recognised Finland's independence thanks to Finland's diplomat Taylor Bakkar who later became Finland's ambassador to Thailand. Finland is represented in Thailand through its embassy in Bangkok, its honorary consulate general in Phuket and its honorary consulate in Chiang Mai.[54] Thailand has an embassy in Helsinki.[55] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Thailand
Tunisia	1959-07-17July 17, 1959	Finland recognised Tunisia's independence of on June 8, 1956. Since 1994 Finland has an embassy in Tunis. Previously Finland was represented in Tunisia through its embassies in Algiers, Algeria and Rome, Italy.[56] Tunisia has an embassy in Helsinki. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Tunisia
Turkey	1920-05-20May 20, 1920	Turkey recognised the independence of Finland on February 21, 1918. Finland has an embassy in Ankara and an honorary consulate general in Istanbul and other honorary consulates in Belek, Bodrum and Izmir.[57] Turkey has an embassy in Helsinki.[58] See also Turks in Finland Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about political, economical and commercial relations with Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Turkey
Ukraine	1992-02-26February 26, 1992	In 1918, Finland was one of the first countries which recognised Ukraine in 1918 and opened its diplomatic mission in Kiev. Finland recognised Ukraine on December 30, 1991. Finland has an embassy in Kiev.[59] Ukraine has an embassy in Helsinki.[60] Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ukraine
United States		See Finland – United States relations Finland is bordered on the east by Russia and, as one of the former Soviet Union’s neighbours, has been of particular interest and importance to the US both during the Cold War and in its aftermath. Before the USSR dissolved in 1991, longstanding US policy was to support Finnish neutrality while maintaining and reinforcing Finland’s historic, cultural, and economic ties with the West. The US has welcomed Finland’s increased participation since 1991 in Western economic and political structures.
Vietnam	1973-01-05January 5, 1973	Finland recognised Vietnam on December 28, 1972. Vietnam has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Hanoi and an honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Vietnam
Zambia	1968-03-08March 8, 1968	Finland recognised Zambia on October 29, 1964. Zambia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Lusaka. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Zambia

[edit] International organization participation

AfDB AsDB Australia Group BIS CBSS CCC CE CERN EAPC EBRD ECE EIB ESA EU FAO G-9 IADB

IAEA IBRD ICAO ICC ICC ICRM IDA IEA IFAD IFC IFRCS IHO ILO IMF IMO ITUC Interpol IOC

IOM ISO ITU MINURSO NAM (guest) NC NEA NIB NSG OAS (observer) OECD OPCW OSCE PCA PFP UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNHCR

UNIDO UNIKOM UNITAR UNMEE UNMIBH UNMIK UNMOGIP UNMOP UNOMIG UNTAET UNTSO UPU WEU (observer) EFTU WHO WIPO WMO WTrO Zangger Committee

[edit] See also

• Diplomatic missions of Finland
• List of diplomatic missions in Finland
• Politics of Finland
• Pulp mill conflict between Argentina and Uruguay (for the ongoing conflict over the installation of a pulp mill by the Finnish company Botnia in Uruguay, across the Uruguay River)

[edit] References

• CIA World Factbook - Finland

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