As an element of the Foreign Service, the network Finnish Diplomatic Missions plays a central role in the development of a safe and predictable tomorrow for every Finnish citizen. Finnish Diplomatic Missions, established in various parts of the world, provide a wide range of services for Finns and the Finnish society.
A total of 189 countries are member states of the UN. Finland has concluded diplomatic relations with 170 countries and set up an Embassy in 76 countries. In addition, Finland has 7 Permanent Representations to international organizations, such as the EU, the UN, the OSCE and the OECD. Seven Consulates are headed by a Consul General. The fields of responsibility of non-resident Ambassadors and of the four Roving Ambassadors appointed to work in Helsinki cover 61 other countries.
The operation of Diplomatic Missions abroad is governed by public international law, established in the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
The main duties of the Embassy of Finland in Greece are:
- to entertain bilateral political and commercial-economical relationships to Greece
- to follow Greek standpoints on EU matters and to report them to Finland
- to promote Finland in Greece, also different kind of information and cultural duties
- to look after the rights of Finnish companies and industry
- consul affairs
The work in the field of politics and commercialism traditionalle forms the basis of the Embassy´s work. It involves negotiating, analysing and reporting on political and ecoomic develpoments in Greece, building up a network of contacts, taking care of the practical arrangements for state and ministerial visits etc.
The consular services protects the interests of Finnish nationals in Greece. The services include providing passports and notary services, visas for foreigners travelling to Finland, and assistance to Finnish citizens in distress. In addition to the Embassy of Finlad in Athens, Finland has Honorary Consuls based in 7 other cities in Greece.
The Embassy also briefs journalists based in Greece and promotes Finnish image and monitors Greece media coverage of Finland and international politics.
Besides Greece Albania is also a part of the Embassy's territory.
