Finland–South Africa relations

Finland-South Africa relations

Finland	South Africa

A Finnish Gloster Gauntlet Mk. II (OH-XGT). South Africa donated 24 such aircraft to Finland during the Winter War.

Finnish-South African relations are foreign relations between Finland and South Africa. Diplomatic relations established May 15, 1949. A South African legation was established in 1967 and relations were then upgraded to ambassadorial level in March 1991. ^[2] 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. ^[3]

South Africa supported Finland during the Winter War and supplied 25 Gloster Gauntlets to the Finnish air force. ^[4] During World War II South Africa, along with other Commonwealth nations, declared war on Finland. ^[5]

Finland was critical of South Africa's official policy of neutrality following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and called for South Africa to support Ukraine. ^[6]

President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, made an official visit to South Africa on 25–26 April 2023. On 25 April, President Niinistö met with President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Pretoria. ^[7]

Agreements

In 2008 South Africa and Finland signed a cooperation agreement to support biosciences projects in the Southern African Development Community. ^[8]

Apartheid

Finland was a strong supporter of the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa. ^{[5] [9] [10]}

Trade

Between 1925 and 1939, Finland was the largest source of imported timber for South Africa. ^[11]

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. ^{[2] [5]}

Resident diplomatic missions

• Finland has an embassy in Pretoria.
• South Africa is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

See also

• Foreign relations of Finland
• Foreign relations of South Africa

External links

• Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa
• South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Finland

References

1. "Gloster Gauntlet II GT-400 / OH-XGT (s/n K5271) – FLYING MUSEUM OF KARHULA FLYING CLUB" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
2. "Finland". South Africa . Retrieved 2009-05-21.
3. " @saembhelsinki " on Twitter
4. Mondey, David (1994). The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing. p. 111. ISBN   1851526684.
5. The Nordic countries and Africa. Nordic Africa Institute. 2002. ISBN   91-7106-505-9.
6. Monana, Tebogo. "'We didn't stay neutral during apartheid': Finnish minister urges SA, Africa to take a stand on Ukraine". News24. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
7. Porre, Matti (24 April 2023). "President Niinistö on the state visit to South Africa: "We need international cooperation, and Africa is playing a rapidly increasing role"". Tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö.
8. "Southern Africa: Country and Finland Partner to Support Biosciences Initiatives in SADC". All Africa . December 11, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
9. Sori, Iina (1999). Finland and national liberation in Southern Africa. Nordic Africa Institute. ISBN   91-7106-431-1.
10. Politics on paper: Finland's South Africa policy, 1945-1991. Nordic Africa Institute. 1992. ISBN   91-7106-326-9.
11. "Finns in the Boer War in South Africa". Alternative Finland. 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2022-06-20.