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New Zealand and Finland have similar attitudes towards many international issues, including security, disarmament and the environment. The geographical distance between the two countries, however, as well as the different histories and friendships, meant that until recently political contact between the two countries was limited outside the United Nations and other international organisations such as the OECD. Finland's accession to the European Union in 1995 added a new dimension to the bilateral relationship, with Finland now a party to decisions affecting New Zealand's trade relations with the Union. As part of a concerted effort to expand their international connections, the Finns have been paying much more attention to the Asia-Pacific region in general.top of page
Land Area - 338,000 sq km, of which 6% agricultural, forest and other wooded land 68%, and inland waters 10%. Finland shares frontiers with Sweden, Norway and Russia. Population - 5.2 million (2005) - Capital City - Helsinki - Language - Finnish (93% of population), Swedish (6.1%). There is also a small Lapp population, indigenous language Sami
Political system - Parliamentary democracy with a republican constitution. - National government - 3-party coalition - National legislature - Unicameral parliament - Last election - March 2003 - Next election due - March 2007 - Head of State - President Ms Tarja Halonen (elected February 2000) - Head of Government - Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen
GDP - US$bn 175.2 - Real GDP growth - 4.9% - Exports - US$84.7 billion - Imports - US$ 71.7 billion - Main exports - Electrical and optical equipment, telecommunications equipment, metal, machinery and transport equipment, wood and paper products - Current account balance - US$8.7 billion - Inflation - 1.7% - Unemployment - 7%
New Zealand Trade (year ended June 2007) - NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$m 29.8 - Main Exports - Sheepmeat, malt extract, navigational instruments, wine, other articles of plastic, cheese, machines for paper pulp etc., venison - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$160.6 million - Main Imports - Paper and paperboard, telephone equipment, stainless steel
The first Finnish Ambassador to New Zealand was cross-accredited from Canberra in 1969. The New Zealand Ambassador in Moscow was cross-accredited to Helsinki in 1975. The cross-accreditation shifted to The Hague in April 1995. In 1993 New Zealand appointed an honorary consul in Helsinki.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Finland [external link].
