List of diplomatic missions of Finland  This is a list of diplomatic missions of Finland. Finland's foreign affairs ministry was established shortly after its independence in 1917. To encourage its international recognition and promote its frontier, trade and maritime interests, Finland had commissioned twelve missions abroad by the end of 1918. By the time of the Second World War broke out there were 20 Finnish embassies (of which four were outside Europe) and six consulates. Today Finland has a streamlined diplomatic network that uses consulates sparingly. In countries where there is no Finnish mission, according to the Helsinki treaty, public officials in the foreign services of any of the Nordic countries are to assist citizens of another Nordic country if that country is not represented in the territory concerned.