Finland |
South Africa |
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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]
In 2008 South Africa and Finland signed a cooperation agreement to support biosciences projects in the Southern African Development Community. [7]
Finland was a strong supporter of the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa. [5] [8] [9]
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]