:Finland–Namibia relations
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Finland-Namibia|Finland|Namibia}}
Finland–Namibia relations refers to the bilateral relationship of Finland and Namibia. Finland recognised Namibia on March 21, 1990. Both countries established diplomatic relations on the same day. Namibia has an embassy in Helsinki{{cite web|url=http://www.namembassy.fi/ |title=Home |publisher=www.namembassy.fi |date=2018-06-03 |access-date=2018-06-03 }} while Finland has an embassy in Windhoek and an honorary consulate in Walvis Bay.
Diplomatic relations
File:Finnish Embassy in Windhoek.jpg
Finland has stated it has been a staunch supporter of Namibian independence before Namibia achieved this.{{cite web |url=http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=132602&nodeid=17430&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |title=A new phase beginning in cooperation between Finland and Namibia |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland |date=2008-06-17 |access-date=2013-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310003514/http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=132602&nodeid=17430&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |archive-date=2012-03-10 }}
Finnish assistance
The Finnish Government has provided assistance in the sectors of forestry, water, environment and health.{{cite web|url=http://www.finland.org.na/public/default.aspx?contentid=143774&nodeid=41050&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |title=The Chargée d'Affaires a.i. of Finland Mrs Seija Kinni-Huttunen ends her Tour of Duty 31 July 2008 |publisher=Embassy of Finland, Windhoek |date=2008-07-25 |access-date=2013-05-22}}
Trade
In general, trade between Namibia and Finland has been small. Namibia's exports to Finland increased from N$810 million in 2004 to over N$1 billion (approximately 90 million EUR) in 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com.na/index%2Ephp?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D13211%3Aexports%2Dto%2Dfinland%2Dexceed%2Dn1%2Dbillion%2Dmark%2D%26catid%3D539%3Ageneral%2Dnews%26Itemid%3D60 |access-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145649/http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13211%3Aexports-to-finland-exceed-n1-billion-mark-&catid=539%3Ageneral-news&Itemid=60 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=Exports to Finland exceed N$1 billion mark }} However, a 2011 report showed that trade was even more limited. Finland's exports to Namibia valued €2,4 million, mainly consisting of paper and paper-products. Namibia's exports to Finland only valued €0,9 million, mainly consisting of meat and meat preparations.{{cite web |url=http://www.laurea.fi/en/connect/results/Documents/Namibia%20Country%20Report.pdf |title=Namibia report |publisher=Laurea University of Applied Sciences |access-date=2013-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105141830/http://www.laurea.fi/en/connect/results/Documents/Namibia%20Country%20Report.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-05 |url-status=dead }} The Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Alexander Stubb, together with a trade delegation paid a visit to South Africa and Namibia in November 2012. The aim was to promote business opportunities for Finnish companies.{{cite web|url=http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=261455&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |title=Minister Stubb to take Team Finland export promotion trip to South Africa and Namibia |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland |date=2012-10-31 |access-date=2013-05-22}}
State visits
In June 2008, Prime Minister of Namibia Nahas Angula visited Finland.
In February 2011, President of Finland Tarja Halonen visited Namibia.
{{cite web |url=https://www.sttinfo.fi/release?0&releaseId=46488 |title=President Halonen to visit Namibia and South Africa |publisher=Suomen Tietotoimisto |date=2011-02-11 |access-date=2013-05-22 |archive-date=2016-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125235130/https://www.sttinfo.fi/release?0&releaseId=46488 |url-status=dead }}
In October 2023, President of Namibia Hage Geingob visited Finland as a guest of State funeral of Martti Ahtisaari.
In February 2024, President of Finland Sauli Niinistö visited Namibia as a guest of State funeral of Hage Geingob.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161006035559/http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=17237&culture=en-US&contentlan=2 Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about Namibia]
{{Foreign relations of Finland}}
{{Foreign relations of Namibia}}
{{Portal bar|Politics|Finland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finland-Namibia relations}}