Finland–Iran relations

Finland–Iran relations

Finland
Iran

Nuclear Program

In March 2010, during the European Union (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 United Nations (UN) resolution will likely not be ready until June 2010, with the risk that it will not even be passed at that time.[1] 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.”[2]

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.[3] 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.”[4]

Diplomatic/Military Relationship

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.”[5] In April 2008 Iranian and Finnish chiefs of geology organization signed a memorandum of understanding for increased scientific and research cooperation.[6]“The two sides' geology organizations will cooperate in various fields including data analysis, exploration, petrology and training.”[7]

References

  1. ↑ “French FM: UN Iran Sanctions May Take Until June,” Israel News, Ynetnews, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3862465,00.html (March 14, 2010)
  2. ↑ “French FM: UN Iran Sanctions May Take Until June,” Israel News, Ynetnews, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3862465,00.html (March 14, 2010)
  3. ↑ “Iran, Finland Set to Sign Customs Trade MOU,” Tehran Times, May 18, 2008, http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=168368 (August 2, 2010)
  4. ↑ “Iran, Finland Set to Sign Customs Trade MOU,” Tehran Times, May 18, 2008, http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=168368 (August 2, 2010)
  5. ↑ “Iran, Finland Set to Sign Customs Trade MOU,” Tehran Times, May 18, 2008, http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=168368 (August 2, 2010)
  6. ↑ “Iran, Finland Sign MoU On Geology, Mining Cooperation,” IRNA, April 22, 2008.
  7. ↑ “Iran, Finland Sign MoU On Geology, Mining Cooperation,” IRNA, April 22, 2008.
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