Finland–Slovenia relations

Finnish-Slovenian relations

Finland
Slovenia

Finnish-Slovenian relations are foreign relations between Finland and Slovenia. Finland recognised Slovenia on January 17, 1992.[1] Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 17, 1992. Finland has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Trade relations between the two countries have become stronger in recent years.[2]

Current relations

Trade

Main article: Patria case

Tensions between the countries rose in late 2008 when a news program on Finland's national broadcasting company station YLE accused Finnish weapons manufacturer Patria of bribing Slovenian officials to secure an arms deals. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa formally complained to the Finnish ambassador in Ljubljana.[3] The deal with the Slovenian armed forces was signed in December 2006 and included 135 armoured personnel carriers and 120 mm mortars worth some €280 million, according to the largest Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat.[4] On March 26, Slovenia's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) raided the homes of several suspects involved in the alleged bribery affair. The BCI, which has been working with Finnish and Austrian police authorities, suspects that monies arising from the alleged bribery may have been routed through banks in Austria.[5]

Outside of the Patria deal, the annual trade exchange between the two countries was worth about 150 million Euros.[6]

Trade between Slovenia and Finland was reportedly growing steadily before the beginning of the crisis in 2008 but between January and October 2009, trade fell by almost 30% to EUR 98m. Slovenia's imports exceeded exports, with exports amounting to some EUR 43m while imports stood at EUR 55m.[7]

Bilateral agreements

The two countries have established the following bilateral agreements:

Official visits

1997

1998

1999

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Multilateral relations

Finland and Slovenia are both members in the United Nations, the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen area, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Slovenia
  2. ↑ Finland: What Lessons for Slovenia?
  3. ↑ LISBETH, KIRK (September 5, 2008). "Arms deal tests Finland-Slovenia relations". EUobserver.com. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  4. ↑ Arms deal tests Finland-Slovenia relations
  5. ↑ Finland Questions Slovenia's Threat to Ax AMV Deal
  6. ↑ Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna... Finns everywhere!
  7. ↑ Finland, Slovenia Look at Cooperation Opportunities
  8. ↑ Dr Rupel visits Finland - INFORMATION AND PROGRAMME
  9. ↑ Exchange of visits between Finland and Slovenia
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