Embassy of Finland in Australia
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The Embassy of the Republic of Finland to the Australian Commonwealth is Finland's diplomatic mission to Australia, though also responsible for Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Main objectives
- promote Finnish interests by diplomatic means;
- represent Finland in Australia;
- promote Finnish export;
- protect Finnish nationals in Australia;
- inform the media and public about Finland;
- support cultural exchange and events[2]
[edit] History
Originally, Finland established its Consulate in Sydney in 1918. For these early year, the consulate, apart from providing Consular services, also played the role of a social club or society for the Australian Finnish community. After relations become tense between Finland and Great Britain in 1941, as a result of the Continuation War between the Soviet Union and Finland, representatives and ambassadors of the Finnish government returned to their home country. Eventually, in 1949, Finland and Australia began diplomatic relations. The relationship between the two countries was quickly established after the war and ties between Australia and Finland became stronger and more complex. For example in the 1950s, Finnish exports doubled from the previous decade. The Consulate of Finland remained in Sydney until 1966 when it was moved to the capital city of Canberra. Only two years later, the Finnish Consulate was granted Embassy status. Again the consulate was moved again, to its current location in Yarralumla in 1978. Some years later, the embassy became overcrowded, and subsequently it was decided to construct a new facility. The new embassy was officially taken into use in the year of 2002.[3]
| History of Finnish Ambassadors to Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Residing city | Service |
| Tuure Mentula | Canberra | 1969–1975 |
| Åke Backström | Canberra | 1975–1980 |
| Veikko Huttunen | Canberra | 1980–1983 |
| Osmo Lares | Canberra | 1983–1987 |
| Ulf-Erik Slotte | Canberra | 1987–1991 |
| Charles Murto | Canberra | 1991–1996 |
| Esko Hamilo | Canberra | 1996–2001 |
| Anneli Puura-Märkälä | Canberra | 2001–2005 |
| Glen Lindholm[4] | Canberra | 2005– |
[edit] Location
The embassy is located at 12 Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT Australia, 2600. In addition to the Embassy, there is also a Finnish Consulate in Sydney, NSW and 7 other honorary consols in various cities around Australia.
[edit] References
- ^ Introduction. Embassy of Finland, Canberra (Official Site). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Main Objectives. Embassy of Finland, Canberra (Official Site). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ History. Embassy of Finland, Canberra (Official Site). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Past Ambassadors. List of Ambassadors from Finland. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
