Foreign relations of Finland

The foreign relations of Finland are the responsibility of the president of Finland, who leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government. Implicitly the government is responsible for internal policy and decision making 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 the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the 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, utrikesutskottet). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy.[2][3]

History

The Kingdom of Sweden 1100-1809

The Grand Duchy of Finland - Russian Empire 1809-1917

Early independence

In March 1917, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia abdicated the throne, which led to the collapse of the Russian Empire and left the Grand Duchy of Finland without a grand duke. Following the Bolshevik Revolution in November, Finland declared independence in December 1917. Soviet Russia was the first to recognize Finland in 4 January 1918, followed shortly by Sweden, France, and Germany.[4]

In late January 1918, Finnish socialists launched a civil war with the support of Russian Bolsheviks. The anti-communist Whites, in turn, were supported by the German Empire. German assistance initially took the form of arms shipments and the deployment of Finnish Jägers trained in Germany. During the Finnish Civil War, Russia and Germany concluded the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, under which most of the Russian troops withdrew from Finland, leaving the Finnish Reds without support. Already in February, Finland's ambassador to Berlin, Edvard Hjelt, had formally requested German military intervention. In April, the German Baltic Sea Division landed at Hanko and took Helsinki from the Red Guards.[5]

To secure German assistance, Finland and Germany had signed a peace treaty accompanied by a trade agreement that granted significant benefits for German industry. A secret supplementary protocol authorized German forces to establish bases in Finland and to operate through Finnish territory to the Arctic Ocean.[5] After the White victory, a plan to establish a Finnish monarchy was set in motion, and Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, brother-in-law of German Emperor Wilhelm II, was chosen as king-elect. Finland's pro-German policy and the election of a German king led to France to cut diplomatic relations with Finland, and prompted the United States and Great Britain to withhold recognition. U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing considered Finland a German-occupied country.[6]

However, Germany's defeat in the World War I and the abdication of Wilhelm II also put an end to Finland's monarchy project and forced a reorientation of its foreign policy. German forces withdrew from Finland following the Armistice of 11 November 1918. General Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, who had opposed the pro-German orientation, assumed the position of Regent of Finland. Mannerheim advocated the entente cordiale, supporting alignment with Franco–British relations.[7] A republican constitution was adopted in Finland in 1919, and the Allied powers agreed to recognize Finland following the Paris Peace Conference.[8]

Between the world wars

Relations with Soviet Russia from 1918 to 1939 were icy; voluntary expeditions to Russia called heimosodat ended only in 1922, four years after the conclusion of the Finnish Civil War. However, attempts to establish military alliances were unsuccessful.[9]

World War II

By 1940, Finland and Sweden considered forming a political union, but Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union obstructed these plans. The Soviet Union had not relinquished its strategic objective of bringing Finland under its control.[10] Finland’s only remaining option was partnership with Germany. Germany, for its part, was interested in cooperation with Finland due to the presence of nickel deposits in Lapland, a raw material of vital importance for the production of defence equipment.[10]

Later, during the Continuation War, Finland declared "co-belligerency" with Nazi Germany, and allowed Northern Finland to be used as a German attack base. For 872 days, the German army, aided indirectly by Finnish forces, besieged Leningrad, the Soviet Union's second-largest city.[11] The peace settlement in 1944 with the Soviet Union led to the Lapland War in 1945, where Finland fought Germans in northern Finland.

During the Cold War

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.

The participating states signed a treaty that guaranteed the free movement of people and information. This provision became a catalyst for demands for human rights within the Eastern Bloc. The CSCE conference thus played a role in undermining the Iron Curtain. Hosting the CSCE was, moreover, an acknowledgement of Finland’s neutrality.[13]

The President of the United States Ronald Reagan conducted a three-day state visit to Finland in 1988, hosted by President Mauno Koivisto. This visit symbolised the diplomatic relations between the two nations during the late Cold War period.[14]

In 1990, the Helsinki Summit took place in Finland between U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. The agenda of the summit prominently featured the issue of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which had precipitated international tensions.[15]

Dissolution of the Soviet Union

After the dissolution 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. The government filed an application for membership in the European Union (EU) three months after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Finland officially established its relations with NATO in 1992 when it participated as an observer in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) foreign ministers’ meeting. This marked the beginning of Finland’s engagement with NATO cooperation mechanisms following the end of the Cold War, motivated primarily by the need to monitor security developments in neighboring Russia and the Baltic states. Negotiations to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) were initiated in 1993, and Finland formally joined the PfP program in 1994. Initially, Finland’s cooperation with NATO was restricted to non-combat areas such as rescue operations, peacekeeping training, and environmental protection.[16][17]

In November 1995, Finland’s Parliament was presented with a new peacekeeping law that facilitated broader participation in international peace operations. This legal framework enabled Finland’s full engagement in the Bosnia IFOR peacekeeping mission in 1996 as a full and active peace partner.[16][17]

Concurrently, efforts to align the Finnish Defence Forces' compatibility with NATO military standards were formalized through agreements signed in 1995. Further integration steps included the establishment of a special Finnish mission to NATO headquarters in Brussels in 1997, enhancing Finland’s involvement in NATO decision-making processes while maintaining its policy of military non-alignment.[16][17]

The Northern Dimension was conceived to manage the interdependencies between the EU and Russia, focusing on sectors such as environmental issues, nuclear safety, and the socio-economic development of border regions, including Kaliningrad. Finland’s geographic and political position made it a key driver of this policy, leveraging its EU membership since 1995 to facilitate a cooperative framework with Russia rather than antagonism.[18]

During the 1990s, Finnish exports to Russia recovered gradually after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the severe trade disruptions that followed. The economic situation in Russia came to stabilize during the 2000s, resulting in increased bilateral trade. By 2008, Russia had regained its status as Finland’s largest export market, fuelled not only by industrial goods but also by the growing presence of Russian consumers who contributed to Finland’s economic vitality.[19][7]

In 2005, the number of foreign spies in Finland returned to Cold War levels. Espionage activity was concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area, where the nation’s political leadership, largest corporations, and principal research institutions are located. The capital also hosts foreign embassies, through which, according to experts, the majority of espionage is conducted. According to information published by Helsingin Sanomat, approximately 50 trained spies representing the intelligence services of various countries were then operating in Finland. Most of them were based within the area of Ring Road III, posing as diplomats, journalists, researchers, businesspeople, grant holders, or students. Of these, an estimated 30 focused on civilian intelligence, while 20 concentrated on gathering military-related information.[20]

Change in constitution

In 2000, a major reform was made to the Constitution of Finland, which repealed the previously valid four separate constitutional laws and created a unified, modernised Constitution. This reform particularly signified a significant shift in the leadership of foreign policy.[21]

According to the Constitution of 2000, foreign policy is led by the President of the Republic in cooperation with the Council of State (the government). This means that the President’s power in foreign affairs is no longer exclusive but emphasizes collaboration with the government. Additionally, due to EU membership, the leadership of foreign policy was divided: the Council of State was given decision-making authority in preparing EU affairs and national measures, while the President retained responsibility for traditional foreign policy outside the EU. In practice, this transferred much power from the President to the Prime Minister and the government, while also increasing the role of Parliament.[21][22]

With this change, the President’s power in domestic politics was significantly reduced, and the Prime Minister became the key decision-maker in forming the government and leading the EU aspect of foreign policy. Except in times of crisis, the Constitution of 2000 emphasized cooperation and the President’s role is focused on foreign and security policy, but with more limited supervision and authority than before.[21][22]

The Constitution of 2000 strengthened parliamentarism and transformed the President’s position into a dual leadership in foreign policy: the President and the Council of State lead foreign policy together, with the Council of State and Prime Minister having a strong role in EU matters. This pushed Finland toward a more modern, parliamentary system of leadership in foreign policy. The arrangement has been criticised for not providing a simple answer of who's in charge if there is a major dispute.[21][23][22]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Among the most significant repercussions was Finland’s historic decision in May 2022 to apply for NATO membership, ending decades of military non-alignment. Finland joined NATO in April 2023. This decision was driven by increased perceptions of threat from Russia, which undermined the credibility of bilateral security assurances. Concurrently, Finland intensified its defence cooperation with Ukraine by supplying defence materiel packages and signing cooperation agreements to deepen military collaboration. Finland has emerged as one of Ukraine’s largest supporters by GDP ratio.[24][25]

Multilateral relations

Since 1917, Finland has joined numerous multilateral organizations. Key ones include:

NATO

See also: Finland–NATO relations

Finland’s relationship with NATO began to strengthen immediately after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, when Finland joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) as an observer in 1992, established for former Warsaw Pact members. Finland started to move closer to NATO by joining the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994, developing cooperation in defense matters while maintaining military non-alignment. From the 1990s onwards, Finland built increasingly closer ties with NATO, participating in international crisis management operations and signing a host nation support agreement with NATO in 2014, which defined the principles of assistance during crises and exercises.[16]

Finland has participated in NATO's Partnership for Peace cooperation since 1994. Additionally, Finland became a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in 1997. In 2014, Finland was invited as an advanced partner to join NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) cooperation. Alongside its involvement in the Enhanced Opportunities cooperation, Finland also promoted trilateral cooperation between NATO, Finland, and Sweden, known as the "30+2" cooperation framework.[26]

As the security environment changed, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Finland’s security policy situation became decisive. Finland decided to apply for NATO membership in May 2022. The Finnish Parliament strongly approved the membership, with opponents in the minority. Finland’s NATO membership came into force on April 4, 2023, making Finland a full member and part of NATO’s collective defense guarantees under Article 5.[27]

This membership marked the end of Finland’s long-standing military non-alignment and strengthened Finland’s security in a changed European security landscape. Finland’s membership also enhances stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe, with Finland actively participating in NATO’s collective defense and decision-making.[28]

Diplomatic relations

List

List of countries which Finland maintains diplomatic relations with:

# Country Date[29]
1 Sweden 10 January 1918
2 France 24 January 1918
3 Denmark 18 February 1918
4 United Kingdom 28 March 1918
5 Norway 6 April 1918
6 Argentina 11 May 1918[30]
7 Bulgaria 19 July 1918
8 Netherlands 14 August 1918
9 Spain 16 August 1918
10 Greece 1 March 1919[31]
12 Japan 24 May 1919
13 United States 30 May 1919[31]
14 Belgium 9 July 1919
15 Italy 6 September 1919
16 Portugal 10 January 1920
11 Poland 7 February 1920
17 Romania 28 June 1920
18 Russia 31 December 1920[32]
19 Luxembourg 25 October 1921
20 Czech Republic 18 December 1921[33]
21 Egypt 8 April 1922
22 Hungary 12 April 1922[31]
23 Austria 22 April 1922[34]
24 Turkey 9 December 1924[35]
25  Switzerland 26 January 1926
26 Cuba 5 April 1929
27 Brazil 8 April 1929
28 Serbia 7 August 1929[36]
29 Afghanistan 15 December 1930
30 Chile 20 February 1931
31 Iran 12 December 1931[37]
32 Uruguay 21 March 1935
33 Mexico 12 May 1937
– Holy See 24 April 1942
34 Iceland 15 August 1947
35 Canada 21 November 1947
36 South Africa 15 May 1949
37 Australia 31 May 1949[31]
38 India 10 September 1949
39 New Zealand 22 July 1950
40 China 28 October 1950
41 Israel 14 November 1950
42 Pakistan 12 January 1951
43 Syria 22 May 1953
44 Colombia 26 March 1954
45 Venezuela 31 March 1954
46 Thailand 17 June 1954
47 Myanmar 21 June 1954
48 Indonesia 1 September 1954
49 Sri Lanka 24 September 1954
50 Philippines 14 July 1955
51 Lebanon 21 June 1956
52 Albania 8 June 1956
53 Iraq 15 May 1959
54 Ethiopia 17 July 1959
55 Morocco 17 July 1959
56 Tunisia 17 July 1959
57 Jordan 28 November 1959
58 Cameroon 17 January 1960
59 Sudan 27 January 1961
60 Guinea 19 July 1961
61 Cyprus 2 September 1961
62 Ireland 6 February 1962
63 Algeria 18 January 1963
64 Nigeria 18 January 1963
65 Peru 29 March 1963
66 Mongolia 8 July 1963
67 Bolivia 21 September 1963
68 Paraguay 20 November 1963
69 Ivory Coast 18 June 1964
70 Ecuador 5 February 1965
71 Kenya 14 June 1965
72 Tanzania 14 June 1965
73 Uganda 14 June 1965
74 Libya 28 September 1965
75 Costa Rica 23 August 1966
76 Haiti 29 September 1966
77 Republic of the Congo 22 March 1967
78 El Salvador 14 April 1967
79 Guatemala 18 August 1967
80 Zambia 8 March 1968
81 Senegal 31 January 1969
82 Kuwait 21 February 1969
83 Malta 21 February 1969
84 Saudi Arabia 6 June 1969
85 Cambodia 20 January 1970
86 Liberia 24 March 1970
87 Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 April 1970
88 Central African Republic 22 May 1970
89 Somalia 12 March 1971
90 Trinidad and Tobago 17 December 1971
91 Bangladesh 5 May 1972
93 Germany 7 January 1973
94 Vietnam 25 January 1973
95 Singapore 7 February 1973
96 Oman 1 April 1973
97 North Korea 1 June 1973
92 Malaysia 16 June 1973
98 South Korea 24 August 1973
99 Mauritius 31 October 1973
100 Qatar 1 April 1974
101   Nepal 21 September 1974
102 Bahrain 20 December 1974
103 Laos 1 January 1975
104 United Arab Emirates 21 February 1975
105 Mozambique 18 July 1975
106 Niger 28 November 1975
107 Panama 1 December 1975
108 Nicaragua 22 December 1975
109 Honduras 30 January 1976
110 Angola 18 September 1976
111 Madagascar 1 June 1977
112 Papua New Guinea 31 September 1977[31]
113 Barbados 1 December 1977
114 Fiji 1 December 1977
115 Ghana 1 December 1977
116 Jamaica 1 December 1977
117 Comoros 19 December 1977
118 Yemen 1 April 1978
119 Botswana 1 July 1978
120 Lesotho 1 February 1979
121 Mauritania 1 March 1979
122 São Tomé and Príncipe 1 March 1979
123 Guyana 2 April 1979
124 Guinea-Bissau 1 May 1979
125 Burundi 1 January 1980
126 Burkina Faso 15 February 1980
127 Grenada 1 June 1980
128 Zimbabwe 1 August 1980
129 Rwanda 1 June 1983
130 Cape Verde 22 July 1983
131 Dominican Republic 2 January 1984
132 Maldives 1 October 1984[38]
133 Bhutan 1 May 1986
134 Malawi 1 May 1986
135 Seychelles 1 April 1987
136 Vanuatu 1 April 1987
137 Gabon 1 July 1988[38]
138 Gambia 1 September 1988
139 Brunei 11 November 1988
140 Benin 22 December 1988
141 Namibia 21 March 1990
142 Eswatini 20 September 1990
143 Estonia 29 August 1991
144 Latvia 29 August 1991
145 Lithuania 29 August 1991
146 Slovenia 17 February 1992
147 Croatia 19 February 1992
148 Moldova 21 February 1992[39]
149 Belarus 26 February 1992
150 Tajikistan 26 February 1992
151 Ukraine 26 February 1992
152 Uzbekistan 26 February 1992
153 Kyrgyzstan 23 March 1992
154 Azerbaijan 24 March 1992
155 Armenia 25 March 1992
156 Kazakhstan 13 May 1992
157 Turkmenistan 11 June 1992
158 Liechtenstein 26 June 1992
159 Georgia 8 July 1992
160 Slovakia 1 January 1993
161 Marshall Islands 26 January 1993
162 Eritrea 28 May 1993
163 Tonga 1 December 1993
164 North Macedonia 17 December 1993
165 Bosnia and Herzegovina 29 December 1994
166 Andorra 17 July 1995
167 San Marino 17 July 1995
168 Belize 19 June 1997
169 Solomon Islands 16 July 1999
170 Samoa 11 August 1999
171 Timor-Leste 20 June 2002
172 Suriname 28 June 2005
173 Mali 18 August 2005
174 Bahamas 2 December 2005
175 Montenegro 12 July 2006
176 Djibouti 14 March 2007
177 Chad 21 March 2007
178 Monaco 29 March 2007
179 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11 September 2007
180 Equatorial Guinea 30 April 2008
181 Sierra Leone 17 June 2008
182 Antigua and Barbuda 26 September 2008
— Kosovo 3 February 2009
183 Tuvalu 6 March 2009
184 Nauru 24 March 2009[38]
185 Palau 8 May 2009
186 Dominica 19 August 2009
187 Saint Kitts and Nevis 22 September 2009
188 Saint Lucia 23 September 2009
189 Federated States of Micronesia 4 May 2010
190 Togo 12 May 2010
191 Kiribati 25 March 2011
192 South Sudan 29 June 2012

Multilateral

Organization Formal Relations Began Notes
United Nations 1955 See Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations
Nordic Council 1955
OSCE 1973 See Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe
European Union 1995 See 1995 enlargement of the European Union
NATO 2023 See Finland–NATO relations

Africa

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Algeria 18 January 1963
  • Algeria has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Algiers.
Angola 18 September 1976
  • Angola is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland is represented in Angola through its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate in Luanda.
Botswana 1 July 1978
  • Botswana is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland is represented in Botswana through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Gaborone.
Burkina Faso 1 July 1978
  • Burkina Faso is represented in Finland through its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Burundi 1 January 1980
  • Burundi is represented in Finland through its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Finland is represented in Burundi through its embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Comoros

Comoros is represented in Finland by its embassy in Paris, France.[40]

Djibouti 14 March 2007
Egypt 15 February 1947
  • Finland recognised Egypt on February 15, 1947.
  • Egypt has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Cairo.
Ethiopia July 17, 1959 See Ethiopia–Finland relations

Ethiopia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland has an embassy in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is one of Finland's long-term development partners and in the water and education sectors.[43] On April 29, 2009, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development announced that the Finnish government had made a grant of 11.4 million euros to enable the Benishangul-Gumuz Region to upgrade its capacity to plan and manage its rural water supply and sanitation program to achieve universal access for all Ethiopians.[44]

Kenya 14 June 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.
Morocco 17 July 1959
Mozambique 18 July 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.
Namibia 21 March 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.

South Africa 15 May 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.[46] Finland has an embassy in Pretoria, a general consulate in Johannesburg, and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. During World War II South Africa declared war on Finland.[47]

Finland was a strong supporter of the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa.[47][48][49]

South African exports to Finland include fresh and dried fruits, wine, pulp, paper, iron, steel, and coal. South Africa imports telecommunication equipment, paper, board products, and machinery from Finland.[46]

Tanzania 14 June 1965
  • 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.
Tunisia 17 July 1959
  • Finland recognised Tunisia's independence 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.[50]
  • Tunisia has an embassy in Helsinki.
Zambia 8 March 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.

Americas

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Antigua and Barbuda 26 September 2008
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Antigua and Barbuda.
Argentina 11 May 1918 See Argentina–Finland relations
Bahamas 2 December 2005
  • Finland's embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada attends to consular matters relating to The Bahamas.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate in Nassau.
Barbados 1 December 1977
  • Barbados is represented in Finland by their embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Christ Church.
Belize 19 June 1997
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Belize.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate in Belize City.
Bolivia 21 September 1963
  • Bolivia is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
Brazil 1929 See Brazil–Finland relations
  • Brazil has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Brasília.
Canada 21 November 1947 See Canada–Finland relations
  • Canada has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Ottawa.
Chile 17 June 1919 See Chile–Finland relations

Chile recognised Finland's independence on June 17, 1919. Diplomatic relations between them were established in 1931 and have been continuously maintained, despite pressures at times to discontinue them.[53] The two countries maintain resident ambassadors in both capitals.[53]

  • Chile has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Santiago.
Colombia 26 May 1954
  • Colombia has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Bogotá.

The relations between Colombia and Finland are harmonious as both countries share a similar ideology based on democracy, human rights and a lasting peace. It's because of this that Colombia has decided to open an embassy in Helsinki. Colombia also defines Finland as a key player on Colombia's accession into the OECD and the ratification of the Colombia-European Union Trade Agreement.[54]

Costa Rica 23 August 1966
  • Costa Rica is represent in Finland by their embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Costa Rica.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate general and honorary vice-consulate in San José.
Cuba 23 January 1959
  • Cuba has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Cuba.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate general in Havana.
Dominica 18 August 2009
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Roseau.
Dominican Republic 2 January 1984
  • The Dominican Republic is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Santo Domingo.
Ecuador 5 February 1965
  • Ecuador is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland's embassy in Lima, Peru attends to consular matters relating to Ecuador.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Guayaquil and Quito.
El Salvador 14 April 1967
  • El Salvador is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to El Salvador.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate and an honorary vice-consulate in San Salvador.
Grenada 1 June 1980
  • Grenada is represented in Finland by their embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in St. George's.
Guatemala 18 August 1967
  • Guatemala is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Guatemala City.
Guyana 2 April 1979
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 2, 1979.[55]
  • Guyana is represented in Finland by their embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Finland also has an honorary consulate general in Georgetown.
Haiti 29 September 1966
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Haiti.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Port-au-Prince.
Honduras 30 January 1976
  • Honduras is represented in Finland by their embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Finland's embassy in Mexico City, Mexico attends to consular matters relating to Honduras.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Tegucigalpa and an honorary consulate in San Pedro Sula.
Jamaica 1 December 1977
  • Jamaica is represented in Finland by their embassy in London, United Kingdom.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Kingston.
Mexico 2 October 1936 See Finland–Mexico relations

Mexico recognized the independence of Finland in July 1920.

Nicaragua 22 December 1975 See Finland–Nicaragua relations
  • Finland is accredited to Nicaragua from its embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.[58]
  • Nicaragua has an honorary consulate in Helsinki.[59]
Panama 1 December 1975
  • Panama is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland's embassy in Bogota, Colombia attends to consular matters relating to Panama.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Panama City.
Paraguay 20 November 1963
  • Paraguay is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland's embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina attends to consular matters relating to Paraguay.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Asunción.
Peru 29 March 1963
  • Peru has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Lima.
Saint Kitts and Nevis 22 September 2009
Saint Lucia 22 September 2009
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Castries.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 30 January 1976
  • Finland is represented in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through a roving ambassador.[60]
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Kingstown.[61]
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is represented in Finland through its embassy in London.[62]
Suriname 28 June 2005
  • Finland's embassy in Brasília, Brazil attends to consular matters relating to Suriname.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate in Paramaribo.
Trinidad and Tobago 17 December 1971
  • Trinidad and Tobago is accredited to Finland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom.
  • Finland has an honorary consulate general in Barataria.
United States 30 May 1919[63] See Finland–United States relations

5-25-1988 President Reagan meeting with President Mauno Henrik Koivisto during a trip to Finland at the Helsinki airport in Vantaa 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 Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, longstanding US policy was to support Finnish neutrality and to maintain and reinforce 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[64] – and provides about 7% of its imports – principally computers, semiconductors, aircraft, and machinery.

Uruguay 21 March 1935 See Finland–Uruguay relations
  • Finland's embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina accredited to Uruguay and maintains an honorary consulate in Montevideo.
  • Uruguay has an embassy in Helsinki.
Venezuela 31 March 1954
  • Finland is accredited to Venezuela from its embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Venezuela is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.

Asia

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Afghanistan 11 May 1956
  • Afghanistan recognised the independence of Finland on July 17, 1928.
  • Afghanistan is accredited to Finland through its embassy in Oslo, Norway.[65]
  • Finland opened a liaison office in Kabul in 2002. It converted into an embassy on January 1, 2006.[66]
Armenia 25 March 1992 See Armenia–Finland relations
  • 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.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
Azerbaijan 24 March 1992 See Azerbaijan–Finland relations
  • Finland recognised Azerbaijan on March 24, 1992.
  • Azerbaijan is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden) and an honorary consulate in Helsinki.
  • Finland is represented in Azerbaijan by a non-resident ambassador (based in Helsinki at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and an honorary consulate in Baku.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
Cambodia 20 January 1970[67]
  • Finland recognized Cambodia on 19 December 1969. Diplomatic relations established on 20 January 1970, re-established 9 August 1976.[67]
  • Cambodia is represented in Finland through its embassy in London, England[68]
  • Finland is represented in Cambodia through its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand[69]
China October 28, 1950[70] See 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.[71][72] and information technology. Nokia is the largest Finnish investor in China.

Georgia 8 July 1992 See Finland–Georgia relations
  • 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 Tbilisi.
  • Georgia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden) and an honorary consulate in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
  • Finland is an EU member and Georgia is an candidate.
  • On April 22, 2009, the Georgian Foreign Minister visited Finland.[73]
India 10 September 1949 See Finland–India relations
Indonesia 6 September 1954 See Finland–Indonesia relations
  • Finland recognised the independence of Indonesia on February 10, 1950.
  • Finland has an embassy in Jakarta and honorary consulates in Denpasar and Medan.[75]
  • Indonesia has an embassy in Helsinki.[76]
Iran See Finland–Iran relations

Photograph of the Shah and the Shahbanu during their visit to Tapiola residencial area in Espoo, Finland. To their right, the Finnish president Urho Kekkonen.

  • Finland has an embassy in Tehran.[77]
  • Iran has an embassy in Helsinki.[78]
Iraq 15 May 1959
  • Finland recognised Iraq on May 15, 1959.
  • Finland has an embassy in Baghdad.
  • Iraq has an embassy in Helsinki.
Israel 14 November 1950 See Finland–Israel relations
Japan 6 September 1919 See Finland–Japan relations
  • Japan recognised Finland on May 23, 1919.
  • Finland has an embassy in Tokyo and honorary consulate general in Osaka and other honorary consulates in Kitakyushu, Nagano, Nagoya, and Sapporo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Helsinki.
Kazakhstan 13 May 1992[81]

See Finland–Kazakhstan relations

  • Finland recognized Kazakhstan upon its independence from the Soviet Union.
  • Finland has an embassy in Astana.
  • Kazakhstan has an embassy in Helsinki.
Kyrgyzstan 23 March 1992
  • Finland recognized Kazakhstan upon its independence from the Soviet Union.
Malaysia 17 November 1972[82] See Finland–Malaysia relations
  Nepal 30 August 1955
  • Finland recognised Nepal on December 14, 1955.
  • Finland has an embassy in Kathmandu.
  • Nepal is represented in Finland through its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
North Korea 1 June 1973[85] See Finland–North Korea relations
  • Finland recognized the People's Democratic Republic of Korea on April 13, 1973.[86]
  • Finland condemns North Korean nuclear tests and fully agrees with EU foreign policy statements on this matter.[86]
  • International trade has been irregular and sporadic, and it is controlled by UN and EU sanctions.[87]
  • Finland has contributed to humanitarian assistance to North Korea through the Red Cross and the World Food Programme.[87]
  • Neither Finland nor North Korea currently have resident ambassadors. North Korea is represented by the North Korean embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[87] Finland is represented by the Finnish embassy in Seoul, South Korea.[88]
Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Helsinki.[89]
Pakistan January 12, 1951 See Finland–Pakistan relations
  • Finland is accredited to Pakistan from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Helsinki.
  • Pakistan is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Philippines July 14, 1995
  • Finland has an embassy in Manila.
  • Philippines is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Saudi Arabia 23 September 1969
  • Finland has an embassy in Riyadh and an honorary consulate general in Jeddah.[90]
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Helsinki.
South Korea 24 August 1973
  • The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Finland and the South Korea began on 1973-08-24.
  • Finland recognised South Korea on April 13, 1973.
  • Finland has an embassy in Seoul.[91]
  • South Korea has an embassy in Helsinki.[92]
Syria 22 May 1953
  • Finland had an embassy in Damascus and two honorary consulates general in Aleppo and Latakia.
  • Syria is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[93]
Thailand 21 June 1954
  • Thailand, previously known as Siam, recognised Finland's independence on October 9, 1919.[94]
  • Siam was the second non-European state after the United States and the first Asian state to recognise Finland's independence.
  • Finland has an embassy in Bangkok, its honorary consulate general in Phuket and its honorary consulate in Chiang Mai.[95]
  • Thailand has an embassy in Helsinki.[96]
Turkey 20 May 1920 See Finland–Turkey relations
United Arab Emirates 21 February 1975 See Finland–United Arab Emirates relations
  • Finland recognised United Arab Emirates on February 21, 1975.
  • Finland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Helsinki.
Vietnam 5 January 1973 See Finland–Vietnam relations
  • Finland recognised Vietnam on December 28, 1972.
  • Finland has an embassy in Hanoi and an honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Vietnam has an embassy in Helsinki.

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Albania 8 June 1956

See Albania–Finland relations

  • Albania is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece.
  • Albania is an EU candidate and Finland is a member.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO and the Council of Europe.
Austria 29 March 1949 See Austria–Finland relations
Belarus 26 February 1992
  • Finland recognised the independence of Belarus on 30 December 1991.
  • Finland is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, which also operates a liaison office in Minsk.[99]
  • Belarus opened an embassy in Helsinki on 5 December 2011.[100]
Belgium 9 July 1919
Bulgaria 5 August 1918 See Bulgaria–Finland relations
  • 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.[101]
  • Finland has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[102]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Croatia 19 February 1992 See Croatia–Finland relations
Cyprus 2 September 1961 See Cyprus–Finland relations
Czech Republic 1 January 1993
Denmark 18 February 1918 See Denmark–Finland relations

Denmark and Finland share a long history, where Danish Vikings settled in Finland and made crusades. Both countries were also part of the Kalmar Union.[105] Denmark was the first country along with Sweden to recognize Finland's Independence.

There are 3,000 Finns living in Denmark, and 1,235 Danes living in Finland. During Winter War, over 1,000 Danish volunteers came to help Finland.[106] During the Winter war and the Continuation war, Denmark took 4,200 Finnish war children.[107] Exports to Denmark value at 1.380 billion euros, and imports from Denmark value at 1.453 billion, making Denmark Finland's 10th largest import-trading partner. The Nordic Culture Fund and the Finnish-Danish Cultural Fund support projects of artists in both countries. Many tourists from Finland visit Denmark, 206,000 in 2017, and vice versa: 113,000 Danish tourists visited Finland in 2017. In 1918 Mannerheim visited Copenhagen, asking if Prince Aage would have wanted to become the King of Finland.

Estonia 29 August 1991 See Estonia–Finland relations

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.[108] 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. Both countries restored diplomatic relations on August 29, 1991.

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

France 24 January 1918 See Finland–France relations
Germany 4 January 1918 See Finland–Germany relations
Greece 5 January 1918 See Finland–Greece relations
  • Greece recognised Finland's independence on January 5, 1918.
  • Finland has an embassy in Athens.
  • Greece has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe.
Hungary 20 May 1947 See Finland–Hungary relations
  • Hungary recognised Finland on August 23, 1920. Finland recognised Hungary on September 10, 1920.
  • Finland broke off diplomatic relations on September 20, 1944.
  • Diplomatic relations were re-established on May 20, 1947.
  • Both national languages, Finnish and Hungarian, are Uralic languages, which has led to cultural exchange albeit at a much smaller scale compared to the third major Uralic-speaking country, Estonia.
  • 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).[112]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe.
Iceland 15 August 1947 See Finland–Iceland relations
  • Finland has an embassy in Reykjavík.[113]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Helsinki.[114]
  • Both countries are full members of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Passport Union, with no border controls or limitations on travel and residence. On cases concerning an individual, authorities must arrange translations between Finnish and Icelandic, if necessary.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
Ireland 2 November 1961
Italy 6 September 1919 See Finland–Italy relations
Kosovo 3 February 2009
Main article: Finland–Kosovo relations

Finland recognised Kosovo March 7, 2008.[119][120] Finland maintains an embassy in Pristina.[121]

Latvia 24 September 1919 See Finland–Latvia relations
Lithuania 4 November 1919 See Finland–Lithuania relations
  • Finland recognised Lithuania's independence de facto on November 14, 1919, and de jure on October 14, 1921.
  • Finland recognised Lithuania's independence on 28 August 1991, and the two countries started diplomatic relations the very same day. Finland is a key partner and neighbour to Lithuania, with the countries pursuing active cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, regional, information security, to name a few. Currently, there are 11 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Finland different fields.[122]
  • Finland has an embassy in Vilnius and an honorary consulate in Klaipėda.
  • Lithuania has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the European Union, NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
Luxembourg 25 October 1921
Malta 21 February 1969
  • Finland is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome, Italy, and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is represented in Finland by a non-resident ambassador (based in Valletta at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and an honorary consulate in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
Montenegro 12 July 2006
  • Finland recognised Montenegro 29 June 2006.
  • Finland is an EU member and Montenegro is an candidate.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Netherlands 18 August 1918 See Finland–Netherlands relations
North Macedonia
Norway 6 April 1918 See Finland–Norway relations
Poland 8 March 1919 See Finland–Poland relations
Portugal 10 January 1920 See Finland–Portugal relations
Romania 14 October 1949
Russia 30 December 1991
Main article: Finland–Russia relations

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 Soviet Union in 1939. Finland fought the Winter War and the Continuation War against the Soviets in World War II. During the wars, the Finns suffered 90,000 casualties and inflicted severe casualties on the Russians (120,000 dead in the Winter War and 200,000 in the Continuation War).

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. Russia also considered large swathes of land near the Finnish border as special security area where foreign land ownership is forbidden. A similarly extensive restriction does not apply to Russian citizens. The Finnish Defence Forces and Finnish Security Intelligence Service have suspected that Russians have made targeted land purchases near military and other sensitive installations for intelligence or special operations purposes.[131][132] Right-wing commentators accuse the government of continuing the policy of Finlandisation.

Recently, Finland-Russia relations have been under pressure with annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, which Finland considers illegal. Together with the rest of the European Union, Finland enforces sanctions against Russia that followed. Still, economic relations have not entirely deteriorated: 11.2% of imports to Finland are from Russia, and 5.7% of exports from Finland are to Russia, and cooperation between Finnish and Russian authorities continues.[133]

Serbia 1929 See Finland–Serbia relations
Slovakia 1 January 1993
  • Finland recognised the independence of Slovakia on January 1, 1993.
  • Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Bratislava.[136]
  • Slovakia has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Slovenia 17 February 1992
  • Finland recognised Slovenia on January 17, 1992.
  • Finland has an embassy in Ljubljana.
  • Slovenia has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

Tensions between the countries rose in late 2008 when a news program on Finland's national broadcasting company station YLE accused Finnish weapons manufacturer Patria of bribing Slovenian officials to secure an arms deal. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša formally complained to the Finnish ambassador in Ljubljana.[137] This controversy became known as the Patria case.

Spain 16 August 1918 See Finland–Spain relations
Sweden 10 January 1918
Main article: Finland–Sweden relations

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 or her 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 declaration of non-belligerent status during the Winter War. 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.

  • Finland has an embassy in Stockholm.
  • Sweden has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries became members of the European Union on 1 January 1995.
  • Both countries applied for NATO membership on 18 May 2022. Finland became a member on 4 April 2023, while Sweden became a member on 7 March 2024.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and of the Council of Europe.
 Switzerland 29 January 1926
  • Finland recognised Switzerland on January 29, 1926.
  • Finland has an embassy in Bern.
  • Switzerland has an embassy in Helsinki.
Turkey 20 May 1920 See Turkey in Asia Above
Ukraine 26 February 1992 See Finland–Ukraine relations
  • In 1918, Finland was one of the first countries which recognised Ukraine in 1918 and opened its diplomatic mission in Kyiv.
  • Finland recognised Ukraine on December 30, 1991.
  • Finland has an embassy in Kyiv.[140]
  • Ukraine has an embassy in Helsinki.[141]
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
  • Finland is an EU member and Ukraine is an candidate.
United Kingdom 6 May 1919[63] See Finland–United Kingdom relations

Oceania

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Australia 31 May 1949
Main article: Australia–Finland relations

Diplomatic relations were established on May 31, 1949.

  • Australia is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Finland has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate in Sydney.
New Zealand 22 July 1950
Main article: Finland–New Zealand relations
  • Finland is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
  • New Zealand is accredited to Finland from its embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.

International organization participation

Sub-national government participation

Åland Islands

  • Unrepresented United Nations[144]

See also

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Sources

  • Volanen, Risto (2017). Suomen synty (in Finnish). Helsingissä: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-31053-2.
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