Helsinki, 16 August 2022 (TDI): The Republic of Finland and the Republic of Iceland celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Monday. The diplomatic relations between the two states were established on 15 August 1982.
We are happy to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between #Finland and #Iceland today.
We highly value the excellent relationship between our countries and look forward to continuing to strengthen our good relations 🇫🇮 🤝 🇮🇸 pic.twitter.com/HT11TmRYPB
— MFA Finland 🇫🇮 (@Ulkoministerio) August 15, 2022
Historical Overview
Finland and Iceland enjoy longstanding warm relations based on mutual understanding, goodwill, and economic cooperation. Moreover, the governments of both the states agreed to stand together in good and bad times.
Additionally, the two sides also agreed to work together to further strengthen their bond. The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, congratulated the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties.
President @Niinisto: As we mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Iceland, I wish to extend my best wishes to @PresidentISL and the Icelandic people. I look forward to continuing our good cooperation.
— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) August 15, 2022
In addition to that, President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson also sent his good wishes to his Finland counterpart.
Thank you President @Niinisto
75 years of diplomatic relations between Iceland and Finland is a landmark worth celebrating. We Icelanders and Finns stand together, in good times and tough times. I look forward to strengthening our bonds even further in the future 🇫🇮 🇮🇸 https://t.co/5Qz2y868rk pic.twitter.com/Sd1w6OU0Pb— President of Iceland (@PresidentISL) August 15, 2022
On the occasion, the Ambassador of Finland to Iceland, Ann-Sofie Stude, met the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Fri Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð, where views to further strengthen the bilateral relations were exchanged.
Today, on the anniversary date of our countries’ 75-year diplomatic relations, Minister for Foreign Affairs @thordiskolbrun and Ambassador @AnnSofieStude at a luncheon, where the excellent relations between Finland and Iceland were confirmed. 🇫🇮 🇮🇸@Ulkoministerio @MFAIceland pic.twitter.com/OWwn7F9eCd
— Finnish Embassy Iceland (@FINinIceland) August 15, 2022
High-Level State Visits
The two sides have exchanged high-level state visits to each other from time to time. The President of Finland made a state visit to Iceland in May 2013.
President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson made a state visit to Finland in May 2018.
The presidents of Finland and Iceland discussed the bilateral relations between the two sides with the chairmanships of the Arctic Council of the two countries. Additionally, the security questions regarding the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea as well as Nordic cooperation were also discussed.
Also Read: US approves NATO membership for Finland, Sweden
Bilateral Relations
Finland and Iceland enjoy good bilateral relations in terms of mutual economic cooperation, art and culture, literature, defence, and goodwill exchange. Moreover, Iceland’s Exports to Finland were US$16.64 Million in 2021, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
Additionally, both states are members of the Arctic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Council of Europe, NB8, Nordic Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the United Nations.
The approval of Finland’s NATO membership will further strengthen the alliance and the cooperation in the field of security and defence between the countries in the region.
