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Close partners in Europe: Maas visits Finland
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is visiting Helsinki on Friday (25 May). This is his first trip to northern Europe since taking office. Finland and Germany enjoy a close partnership on many European issues such as the rule of law and security policy.
Close partners in Europe
Germany and Finland have maintained diplomatic relations for 100 years. Both countries have become close partners in the European Union. Germany is Finland’s most important trading partner. By the same token, over 400 Finnish companies have invested in Germany. Both countries share a very similar understanding of European values, especially the rule of law. The objective of this visit is to exchange views on the further development of the EU as well as the European perspective on the numerous trouble spots around the world.
Ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations
The German Foreign Minister will meet Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and his counterpart Timo Soini for talks in Helsinki. He will subsequently attend the ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Finland has been independent since its secession from Russia on 6 December 1917. Germany and Finland took up diplomatic relations shortly after the establishment of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the following year.