Foreign relations of Finland 10716 225829452 2008-07-15T16:20:49Z Prolog 1614547 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/OrgasGirl|OrgasGirl]] ([[User talk:OrgasGirl|talk]]) to last version by 67.172.135.29 {{Politics of Finland}} According to the latest constitution of 2000, the President (currently [[Tarja Halonen]]) leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government (currently Prime Minister [[Matti Vanhanen]] and Foreign Minister [[Alexander Stubb]]), except that the government leads EU affairs. In surveys, most diplomats and foreign policy experts consider the current constitution flawed because it is often unclear who is in charge.<ref name="foreignpolicyidea">[http://www.eva.fi/files/2170_suomen_ulkopolitiikan_idea_.pdf "Finland's foreign policy idea"] ("Suomen ulkopolitiikan idea"), [[Risto E. J. Penttilä]], 2008</ref> The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy. During the Cold War, Finland conducted its foreign policy in association with the Soviet Union and simultaneously stressed Nordic cooperation (as a member of the [[Nordic Council]]). After the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985-1991)#Yeltsin and the dissolution of the USSR|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, Finland freed itself from the last restrictions imposed on it by the [[Paris Peace Treaties, 1947|Paris peace treaties of 1947]] and the Finno-Soviet [[Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948|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.<ref name="foreignpolicyidea"/> 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.<ref name="foreignpolicyidea"/> 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 [[Foreign Intelligence Service (Russia)|SVR]] and [[GRU]] now exceeds Cold War levels and there are unknown numbers of others.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Helsinki+again+a+centre+of+international+espionage+/1101981712514 Helsinki again a centre of international espionage]</ref> ==History== From the end of the [[Continuation War]] with the [[Soviet Union|U.S.S.R.]] 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 civilization|Western]], Finns realized they must live in peace with the U.S.S.R. 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. ===Relations With the Soviet Union===<!--[[Finnish-Soviet Relations]] redirects to this section--> The principal architect of the post-1944 foreign policy of [[neutral country|neutrality]] was [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi|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]].” ====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 [[Finnish Defence Forces|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{{weasel-inline}} these reparations, however, strengthened the Finnish economy. 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 organizations 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 organizations” turned out to be wide, these clauses had no practical effects. ====Reassurance==== ''(See also: [[Finlandization]])'' For the survival of Finland as an independent [[sovereignty|sovereign]] [[country]], firmly convicted in the value of [[democracy]], [[human rights|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 [[Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948|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 U.S.S.R. through Finland. At the same time, the agreement recognized 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. 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 countries|Nordic]] concern over the coup against Soviet leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], and gave increasing unofficial encouragement to [[Baltic countries|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 U.S.S.R., 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. ==Multilateral Relations== Finnish foreign policy emphasizes its participation in multilateral organizations. 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 specialized 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 Republic|Nagorno-Karabakh]] conflict. Cooperation with the other [[Scandinavia]]n 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 organizations 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. ==Relations with various countries== ===United States=== {{main|Finland-United States relations}} Relations between the [[United States]] and Finland are warm. Some 200,000 U.S. citizens visit Finland annually, and about 3,000 U.S. citizens are resident there. The U.S. 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 U.S. 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. U.S.-Finland trade totals almost $5 billion annually. The U.S. receives about 7% of Finland’s exports — mainly [[Wood pulp|pulp]] and [[paper]], ships, machinery, electronics and instruments and refined petroleum products<ref>Finnish Customs statistics for 2006. http://www.tulli.fi/resources/tekstiversio.jsp?pageoid=24045</ref> — and provides about 7% of its imports — principally [[computer]]s, [[semiconductors]], [[aircraft]], machinery. ===Relations with Sweden=== Finland and Sweden have 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. ===Relations with Russia=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} Relations with [[Russia]] are complex but are improving. Finland was a part of the [[Russian Empire]] for 105 years. 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. Finland 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 U.S.S.R. seven years later. Finland fought the Winter War and the Continuation War against the Soviet Union in World War II. During these wars the Finns lost 90,000 people and inflicted severe casualties on the Russians as compared to other nations such as Poland. Relations have been improving slowly but surely. 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. ==International organization participation== <table><tr valign="top"><td width="25%"> *[[African Development Bank|AfDB]] *[[AsDB]] *[[Australia Group]] *[[Bank for International Settlements|BIS]] *[[CBSS]] *[[Customs Cooperation Council|CCC]] *[[Council of Europe|CE]] *[[CERN]] *[[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council|EAPC]] *[[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development|EBRD]] *[[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|ECE]] *[[European Investment Bank|EIB]] *[[European Space Agency|ESA]] *[[European Union|EU]] *[[FAO]] *[[G-9]] *[[Inter-American Development Bank|IADB]] <td width="25%"> *[[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]] *[[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]] *[[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] *[[International Chamber of Commerce|ICC]] *[[International Criminal Court|ICC]] *[[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]] *[[International Development Association|IDA]] *[[International Energy Agency|IEA]] *[[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]] *[[International Finance Corporation|IFC]] *[[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]] *[[International Hydrographic Organization|IHO]] *[[International Labour Organization|ILO]] *[[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] *[[International Maritime Organization|IMO]] *[[International Trade Union Confederation|ITUC]] *[[Interpol]] *[[IOC]] <td width="25%"> *[[International Organization for Migration|IOM]] *[[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]] *[[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]] *[[United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara|MINURSO]] *[[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]] (guest) *[[Nordic Council|NC]] *[[Nuclear Energy Agency|NEA]] *[[Nordic Investment Bank|NIB]] *[[Nuclear Suppliers Group|NSG]] *[[Organization of American States|OAS]] (observer) *[[OECD]] *[[OPCW]] *[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] *[[Permanent Court of Arbitration|PCA]] *[[Partnership for Peace|PFP]] *[[United Nations|UN]] *[[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]] *[[UNESCO]] *[[UNHCR]] <td width="25%"> *[[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]] *[[UNIKOM]] *[[United Nations Institute for Training and Research|UNITAR]] *[[UNMEE]] *[[United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina|UNMIBH]] *[[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]] *[[UNMOGIP]] *[[United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka|UNMOP]] *[[UNOMIG]] *[[United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor|UNTAET]] *[[UNTSO]] *[[Universal Postal Union|UPU]] *[[WEU]] (observer) *[[World Federation of Trade Unions|EFTU]] *[[World Health Organization|WHO]] *[[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]] *[[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]] *[[World Trade Organization|WTrO]] *[[Zangger Committee]] </table> ''See also: [[Politics of Finland]]'', ''[[Finnish diplomatic missions]]'' ==See also== *[[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) ==References== {{reflist}} *[[CIA World Factbook]] - [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html Finland] {{Foreign relations of Europe}} [[Category:Foreign relations of Finland| ]] [[Category:Foreign relations by country|Finland]]