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Finland–South Africa relations

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Finland-South Africa relations
Map indicating locations of Finland and South Africa

Finland

South Africa
A Finnish Gloster Gauntlet Mk. II (OH-XGT). South Africa donated 24 such aircraft to Finland during the Winter War.[1]

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]

Agreements

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In 2008 South Africa and Finland signed a cooperation agreement to support biosciences projects in the Southern African Development Community.[7]

Apartheid

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Finland was a strong supporter of the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa.[5][8][9]

Trade

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Between 1925 and 1939, Finland was the largest source of imported timber for South Africa.[10]

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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gloster Gauntlet II GT-400 / OH-XGT (s/n K5271) – FLYING MUSEUM OF KARHULA FLYING CLUB" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Southern Africa: Country and Finland Partner to Support Biosciences Initiatives in SADC". All Africa. December 11, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  8. ^ Sori, Iina (1999). Finland and national liberation in Southern Africa. Nordic Africa Institute. ISBN 91-7106-431-1.
  9. ^ Politics on paper: Finland's South Africa policy, 1945-1991. Nordic Africa Institute. 1992. ISBN 91-7106-326-9.
  10. ^ "Finns in the Boer War in South Africa". Alternative Finland. 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2022-06-20.