Europe

Finland
Last reviewed: 21 May 2009

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Relations with Neighbours

Co-operation with the other Nordic countries 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 labour market and have abolished immigration controls among themselves. The council also serves to co-ordinate social and cultural policies of the participating countries and has promoted increased co-operation in many fields.

Finland also focuses on the Baltics where historical and cultural links are also strong. Since the Baltic States regained their independence, Finland has given considerable aid and technical assistance, and supported the Baltic States accession to the EU. Under the Finnish Presidency of the EU both Latvia and Lithuania began formal negotiations to join the EU.

Finland shares the EU’s largest land border with Russia. The 2 countries share a close relationship and there is much bilateral activity. A lot of activity is also conducted through the European Union.

Relations with the International Community

Finland joined the United Nations in 1955 and 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 (including in the Balkans), and the Finns continue to be one of the largest per capita contributors of peacekeepers in the world.

Finland is a keen participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme and a strong proponent of the EU's enhanced Security and Defence Policy. It is also an observer in the North Atlantic Co-operation Council.

Finland is a member of the European Union (it held the EU Presidency in the second half of 1999 and also again in the second half of 2006).

Relations with the UK

There are excellent relations at all levels between Finland and the UK. Finland is a close partner for the UK in the EU, especially in promoting open trade, global competitiveness, innovation, the Single Market and the climate/energy agenda. The British community in Finland is approximately 3,000. Organisations fostering friendship and cultural links between Britain and Finland include FINNBRIT, the British Council (who have an office in Helsinki), Finn-Guild, the Finnish Institute and the Finnish Seamen's Mission in UK.

Recent Visits

Inward

Finnish Foreign Minister Kanerva met the Foreign Secretary in London on 16 October 2007
Finnish Finance Minister Katainen met the Chancellor in London on 7 November 2007.
Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen met the Prime Minister in London on 9 October 2008.
Finnish Foreign Minister Stubb met the Foreign Secretary in London on 20 November 2008.

Outward

The Lord Mayor of London visited, 5-9 June 2007
The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit visited 20-22 August 2007
Secretary of State for Skills, David Lammy visited 18-20 September 2007
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Ed Miliband, visited 10-12 February 2008
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, visited 18-19 March 2008
The House of Commons Justice Committee visited 5-6 November 2008
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband attended OSCE Ministerial Council 4 December 2008

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Travel advice: Finland

Useful Links

BBC Timeline of Finland
UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Finland
Virtual Finland is a comprehensive website administered by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs with links to government, NGOs and other Finland–related sites.
The national broadcaster YLE has its own site in English including live Finnish radio and a recorded news summary in English.
The leading daily newspaper is: Helsingin Sanomat - a Helsinki newspaper that has a wide readership in the rest of Finland.
Finnish Statistics