Finland-Iran Foreign Relations

Reaction to June 2009 Iranian Presidential Election:

In June 2009, Finland summoned the Iranian ambassador “to protest the reaction to protests in Tehran.”[1] Along with Finland, The Times of London reported the following Iranian ambassadors that were summoned by their respective European countries in the immediate aftermath of the June 2009 Iranian presidential election: France (twice), Sweden, Czech Republic (holders of EU presidency), The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany (twice), Britain, Belgium.[2]

Nuclear:

In March 2010, during the EU Foreign Ministers’ pastoral retreat, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that there was consensus enough in the EU for imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran for its nuclear activity, as the UN resolution will likely not be ready until June of 2010, with the risk that it will not even be passed at that time.[3] He added that “failing [UN sanctions], I think there is an emerging consensus inside the European Union that we will take some unilateral measures from the EU side… What those exact measure are have not been discussed in detail.”[4]

Economic Relationship:

In May 2008,  Finnish ambassador to Iran Heikki Puurunen met with Iranian customs president Hashem Rahbari to discuss the possibility of the two countries signing an agreement memorandum that would boost their trade relations.[5] Rahbari stated, “Iran has signed several customs trade agreements with foreign countries. If Finland is also interested in inking such an agreement, we will initiate it during the visit of the Finnish customs administration to Tehran.”[6]

[Click here for more information on Finland’s business relationship with Iran.]

Diplomatic/Military Relationship:

Finland and Iran enjoy a moderate diplomatic relationship with respective embassies in Tehran and Helsinki.[7]  

In May 2008, Finnish ambassador to Iran Heikki Puurunen and Iranian customs president Hashem Rahbari met to discuss the possibility of the two countries signing an agreement memorandum that would boost their trade relations. During this meeting Puurrunen stated, “Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Europe have fallen in the past few years due to political reasons, but Finland welcomes stronger ties and higher trade volume with Iran.”[8]

In April 2008  Iranian and Finnish chiefs of geology organization signed a memorandum of understanding for increased scientific and research cooperation.[9] “The two sides' geology organizations will cooperate in various fields including data analysis, exploration, petrology and training.”[10]

In July 2010, Tehran Times reported that a Finnish gallery displayed posters by Iranian graphic designer Mohammad Ardalani, most of which were “ordered by Tehran Municipality [and] Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.”[11]