Finland–Italy relations

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Finnish-Italian relations
Map indicating locations of Finland and Italy

Finland
Italy
Finnish President Urho Kekkonen and Italian President Giuseppe Saragat in 1971
Sauli Niinistö and Sergio Mattarella
Sanna Marin and Mario Draghi
F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen with Ferrari
in 2017 season

Finland-Italy relations are foreign relations between Finland and Italy. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 September 1919. [citation needed] Finland has an embassy in Rome, Italy has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe and the Eurozone.

The political relations between Finland and Italy are excellent according to the embassies of both nations.[1][2] Italy supported Finland's NATO membership during Finland's accession into NATO, which was finalized on 4 April 2023.[3] In August 2022, Italy fully approved Finland's application for NATO membership.[4]

High level visits

In 1971, President of Finland Urho Kekkonen made a three-day state visit to Italy.

In 2012, Prime Minister of Italy Mario Monti visited Helsinki for meetings with Jyrki Katainen, Finland's prime minister.[5]

In 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Timo Soini met his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Rome.[6]

In 2022, Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin visited Rome to meet with Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi. During the meeting, the Italian Prime Minister gave his support to Finland and Sweden's decision to join NATO.[7]

Trade

In 2020, Finland imported goods worth 1716 million Euros from Italy, making Italy the 10th largest importer to Finland.[8]

In 2021 the total value of exported goods from Italy to Finland was 2.0 billion euros and Finland's exports to Italy amounted to 2.9 billion Euros. The most exported goods from Italy to Finland were machinery and transport equipment (807 million), chemical substances (242 million), and metals (150 million). Respectively, the most exported goods from Finland to Italy were machinery and transport equipment (1.5 billion), metals (652 million), and paper and cardboard products (259 million).[9]

In Italy there are about 90 companies, which are at least partially owned by Finns. These companies include Wärtsilä, Kemira, Ahlström, Nokia, F-Secure, Kone, Metso, UPM, Stora Enso, Metsä Board, Fiskars-Iittala, Qvantel and Tapojärvi. In Finland companies owned by Italians include, Finnlines, Nautor’s Swan, Sako, Meiran paahtimo, Prysmianin and Prima Power.[1]

Culture

Over 200 000 journeys to Italy are made by Finns yearly. The number of Finns with permanent residence in Italy is estimated to be 4 000 by the Finnish Embassy in Rome. In Italy the Finnish language can be studied in the University of Bologna, University of Florence and University of Naples. Additionally, the Finland Society organizes Finnish language courses open to everyone.[1]

The Finnish Institute in Rome provides research opportunities, courses and residences for Finnish or Finland-based students and researchers. The institute focuses on ancient and medieval history, classical philology, classical archaeology, and art history.[10]

The Italian Culture Institute in Helsinki offers Italian language courses, cultural events, and materials for advancement of Finland-Italy cultural relations.[11]

Sport

The Italian and Finnish men's national football teams played in the same UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group and both advanced to the final tournament. In the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, the Finnish team made its debut and the Italian team won the second European Championship.

Kimi Räikkönen drove a total of 8 seasons with Scuderia Ferrari and also achieved one world championship in the same team (2007).

Agreements

Agreements between Finland and Italy include[1]

  • Trade and Maritime Agreement, 1925 (amendment 1950, repeal of certain provisions 1988)
  • Agreement on the Exchange of Marital Status Notices, 1928
  • Agreement on the Legalization of Certificates of Origin, 1930
  • Agreement on the Reciprocal Abolition of Medical and Consular Certificates, 1950
  • Payment Agreement, 1951 (additional protocol 1953, additional agreement 1955)
  • Agreement on the Removal of Entry Stamps, 1954 (amendment 1958)
  • Trainee exchange agreements, 1962
  • Agreement on the Customs Clearance and Taxation of Aircraft Used in Reciprocal Air Transport, 1973
  • Agreement on Reciprocal Tax Relief for Cultural Institutions, 1974
  • Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, 1976
  • Veterinary Agreement on the export of meat from Finland to Italy, 1976
  • Agreement on the International Carriage of Goods by Road, 1977
  • Tax Convention, 1983
  • Air Transport Agreement, 1985
  • Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters, 1990
  • Agreement on the Reciprocal Protection of Classified Information, 2008

European Union

While Italy was one of the founding members of the EU, Finland joined the EU in 1995.

Both countries belong to European route E45.

NATO

While Italy was one of the founding members of NATO, Finland joined NATO in 2023.

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Finland has an embassy in Rome.
  • Italy has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Embassy of Italy in Helsinki
    Embassy of Italy in Helsinki

Honorary and vice consulates

Finland also has an honorary consulates in Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Trieste, Turin and Venice. Italy also has an 4 vice-consulates in Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Oulu, Rovaniemi and an 3 honorary consulates in Tampere, Turku and Vaasa.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Kahdenväliset suhteet". finlandabroad.fi. Embassy of Finland, Rome. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Suomen ja Italian poliittinen yhteistyö". ambhelsinki.esteri.it. Embassy of Italy in Helsinki. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Italy backs Finland-Sweden NATO bid says Draghi - English". ANSA.it. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  4. ^ "Italy ratifies NATO membership for Finland, Sweden". reuters.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  5. ^ "Finland and Italy: Enemies, a love story?". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2021-05-14.(subscription required)
  6. ^ Gianfranco Nitti (2019-03-04). "Diplomatic relations between Italy and Finland celebrated". The Italian Insider. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  7. ^ "Prime Minister Draghi's press statement with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland, Sanna Marin". governo.it. Italian Government Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Biggest import and export countries, 2020". Statistics Finland. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  9. ^ "Finnish trade by regions and countries". tulli.fi. Finnish Customs. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  10. ^ "The Finnish Institute in Rome". irfrome.org. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Instituto Italiano di Cultura Helsinki". iichelsinki.esteri.it. Italian Institure of Culture in Helsinki. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
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