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, 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. The committee meets with the President as necessary. Laws concerning foreign relations are discussed in the parliamentary committee of foreign relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy.
The foreign relations of Norway are based on the country's membership in NATO and within the workings of the United Nations (UN). Additionally, despite not being a member of the European Union (EU), Norway takes a part in the integration of EU through its membership in the European Economic Area. Norway's foreign ministry includes both the minister of foreign affairs and minister of international development.
Finland and Sweden share a long history, similar legal systems, and an economic and social model. Finland was part of Sweden for almost 700 years from around 1150 until the Finnish War of 1809 after which Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Since Finland gained its full independence from Russia in 1917, Finland and Sweden have been close partners, enjoying a special relationship. The number of Finnish-Swedish connections and the quality of cooperation in most areas of the government is unique when compared to other international relations involving both countries. The Swedish language has an official status in Finland, whilst Finns form the largest ethnic minority in Sweden, estimated to be about 675,000.
The Nordic Passport Union allows citizens of the Nordic countries – Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland – to travel and reside in another Nordic country without any travel documentation or a residence permit. Since 25 March 2001, all five states are also in the Schengen Area.
Denmark–Russia relations are the relations between the countries of Denmark and Russia. The Kings of Denmark and the Russian Tsars interacted from the 15th century onwards – subsequently Denmark's control of access to and from the Baltic Sea had considerable significance for the trade and naval flexibility of the Russian Empire, while rivalries between Denmark and Sweden on the one hand and between Sweden and Russia on the other led to alliances and military support. Denmark and the USSR established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1924.
Relations between Finland and Russia have been conducted over many centuries, from wars between Sweden and Russia in the early 18th century, to the planned and realized creation and annexation of the Grand Duchy of Finland during Napoleonic times in the early 19th century, to the dissolution of the personal union between Russia and Finland after the forced abdication of Russia's last czar in 1917, and subsequent birth of modern Finland. Finland had its own civil war with involvement by Soviet Russia, was later invaded by the USSR, and had its internal politics influenced by it. Relations since then have been both warm and cool, fluctuating with time.
Swedish–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Sweden and Turkey. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, NATO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Finland–Iceland relations are foreign relations between Finland and Iceland. Both nations are mutual members of the Arctic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Council of Europe, Nordic-Baltic Eight, Nordic Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, NATO, and the United Nations.
The relations between Denmark and Sweden span a long history of interaction. The inhabitants of each speak related North Germanic languages, which have a degree of mutual intelligibility. Both countries formed part of the Kalmar Union between 1397 and 1523, but there exists an inherited cultural competition between Sweden and Denmark. From 1448 to 1790 the two kingdoms went to war against each other at nearly every opportunity; in more than one case a new king tried to prove his worth by waging war on the other country for little or no political reason. Eleven Dano-Swedish wars took place between 1521 and 1814.
Finland–Turkey relations are foreign relations between Finland and Turkey. Finland has an embassy in Ankara and an honorary consulate general in Istanbul and other honorary consulates in Adana, Alanya, Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, İzmir, and Kayseri. Turkey has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Union for the Mediterranean. Also Finland is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Turkey did not support Finland's accession to NATO until March 2023, but accepted its participation.
Hungary–Sweden relations are foreign relations between Hungary and Sweden. Sweden has an embassy in Budapest, and in Stockholm there is a Hungarian embassy. Diplomatic relations between the two countries started on 28 December 1945. These relations developed to a higher ambassador level. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Cyprus–Norway relations are foreign relations between Cyprus and Norway. Diplomatic relations were established on 22 March 1963. The government in Cyprus considers that the "bilateral relations between Cyprus and Norway are excellent in all fields". Neither country has resident ambassadors.
Iceland–Sweden relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Iceland and Sweden. Both nations are Nordic countries and are members of the Arctic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Council of Europe, NATO, Nordic-Baltic Eight, Nordic Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the United Nations.
Poland–Sweden relations are historical and bilateral relations between Poland and Sweden. Both countries are separated by the Baltic Sea and have had a very long historical contact. They have also survived several conflicts between the two countries as well. At the beginning of the 20th century, Poland and Sweden enjoyed a close relationship, which was interrupted by the Soviet and German invasion of Poland, which started World War II. After the war, both re-established relations and Sweden has become the largest economic contributor for Poland among the Nordic countries. Both Poland and Sweden are members of the EU, NATO, OECD, OSCE, Council of the Baltic Sea States, HELCOM, Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization. There are over 90,000 Poles in Sweden and residents from both countries visit each other frequently. Sweden has given full support to Poland's membership of the European Union. Poland strongly supported Sweden's NATO membership.
France–Sweden relations are the current and historical relations between France and Sweden. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and the OECD. In August 2022, France fully ratified Sweden's NATO membership application. France strongly supported Sweden's NATO membership during the latter's accession process.
Spain–Sweden relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Sweden has an embassy in Madrid, a consulate general in Barcelona and honorary consulates in Bilbao, Cartagena, Gijón, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, La Coruña, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla, Torrevieja, and Valencia. Spain has an embassy in Stockholm, as well as an Economic and Social Department and another Tourism Department in the same city, and two honorary consulates in Malmö, Helsingborg and Gothenburg. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe, NATO, and of the European Union. Spain strongly supported Sweden's NATO membership during the latter's accession process.
Portugal-Sweden relations are foreign relations between Portugal and Sweden. Portugal has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Lisbon and 3 honorary consulates. Both countries are full members of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Council of Europe. Portugal strongly supported Sweden's NATO membership during the latter's accession process.
