Foreign relations of Lesotho

Lesotho's geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. Its capital is the small city of Maseru. It is a member of many regional economic organizations including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Lesotho also is active in the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, and many other international organizations. In addition to the Republic of Korea, the United States, South Africa, Ireland, People's Republic of China, Libya, and the European Union all currently retain resident diplomatic missions in Lesotho. Foreign relations of Lesotho are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Lesotho has historically maintained generally close ties with the Republic of Ireland (Lesotho's largest bilateral aid donor), the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other Western states. Although Lesotho decided in 1990 to break relations with the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) and re-establish relations with the Republic of China (commonly known by its main island as Taiwan), it had restored ties with the P.R.C. in 1994.

Bilateral relations

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Austria See Austria–Lesotho relations
 Azerbaijan 28 September 2012[1] Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Lesotho were established on September 28, 2012.[1]
 Barbados25 November 1979
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1979.[2]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 Brazil1970
  • Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa visited Brazil in 2010
 Canada1966See Canada–Lesotho relations
 Croatia6 November 1998

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1998.[5][6]

 Cyprus25 February 2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 2004.[7]
  • Cyprus is represented in Lesotho through its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.[8]
  • Lesotho is represented in Cyprus via parallel accreditation of its High Commission in London.[9]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 EstoniaSeptember 2012

Both countries established diplomatic relations in September 2012.[10]

 Finland See Finland–Lesotho relations
 Georgia23 September 2013

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013.[11]

 Germany
 Greece
 Guyana25 August 1979
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 25 August 1979.[15]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 IndiaSee India–Lesotho relations
  • The High Commission in Pretoria has been concurrently accredited to Lesotho.[16]
  • Lesotho has a High Commission in New Delhi.[17]
 Ireland13 November 1997

Lesotho has significant relations with Ireland. On 13 November 1997, Liz O'Donnell (Irish Minister for State) spoke about the relationship between the two nations and Ireland's future commitment towards Lesotho. The Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern visited Lesotho in 2000.[18] This relationship was further strengthened by a visit from the then President of Ireland Mary McAleese between 14 and 16 June 2006 on her speech about the long-standing relationship with Lesotho and shared history between both nations.[19]

The Irish Government has donated aid to Lesotho since 1975. Donations to Lesotho is Ireland's longest running aid programme.[20] On 14 February 2005, Lesotho announced that Ireland is the largest bilateral donor with financial support in excess of M70 million in each of the past three years.[21] Ireland also supports Lesotho's Flying Doctor Service, education, sanitation, water and various health such as the Fight against AIDS with the Clinton Foundation.[22]

 IsraelAugust 1986

Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1986.[23]

 JapanJuly 1971
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in July 1971.[24]
  • Japan is represented in Lesotho via parallel accreditation of its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[25]
 Kyrgyzstan22 July 2017

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 July 2017.[26]

 Latvia10 February 2014

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 2014.[27]

 Lithuania20 July 2000

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 July 2000.[28]

 Malta11 April 2006
 Mexico1975
  • Lesotho is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[30]
  • Mexico is accredited to Lesotho from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[31]
 Mongolia2 July 1985

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1985.[32]

 Montenegro23 September 2013

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2013.[33]

 Namibia
  • Lesotho is accredited to Namibia from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia is accredited to Lesotho from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
   Nepal18 May 2010

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 May 2010.[34]

 Pakistan

Pakistan and Lesotho maintain trade links. Pakistan is also a leading trainer of Lesotho Defense Force. Both Countries maintain honorary consulates in each other's country. Both Pakistan and Lesotho are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

 Romania1 May 1975

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1975.[35]

 Russia24 January 1992

During the 1980s, the Soviet Union and Lesotho developed closer relations. In 1992, Lesotho recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state to the Soviet Union. From 2004 to 2007 Monyane Moleleki, who had studied at the Moscow State University, was Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 Serbia1972

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1972.[36]

 South AfricaSee Lesotho–South Africa relations
 South Korea7 December 1966

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Lesotho is 7 December 1966 and in 2011 Bilateral Trade were Exports $27,330,000, Imports: $290,000.[37]

 Spain See Lesotho–Spain relations
  Switzerland1967

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.[38]

 Turkey1967[39]
  • Embassy of Lesotho in Rome is accredited to Turkey.[40]
  • Turkish ambassador in Pretoria to South Africa is also accredited to Lesotho.[40]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 1.65 million USD in 2019 (Lesotho's exports/imports: 0.03/1.62 million USD).[40]
 United Kingdom

Lesotho was previously the British protectorate of Basutoland prior to gaining independence in 1966. Since then Lesotho has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and maintained strong relations with the United Kingdom, exchanging High Commissioners between respective governments. The United Kingdom has maintained its status as one of Lesotho's major defence equipment suppliers as well as significant investment coming from the United Kingdom to help in the prevention and management of AIDS/HIV as well as other infrastructure projects.

 United StatesSee Lesotho-United States relations

The United States was one of the first four countries to establish an embassy in Maseru after Lesotho gained its independence from Great Britain in 1966. Since this time, Lesotho and the United States have consistently maintained warm bilateral relations. In 1996, the United States closed its bilateral aid program in Lesotho. The Southern African regional office of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Gaborone, Botswana now administers most of the U.S. assistance to Lesotho, which totalled approximately $2 million in FY 2004. Total U.S. aid to Lesotho is over $69 million, including humanitarian food assistance. The Peace Corps has operated in Lesotho since 1969.About 69 Peace Corps volunteers concentrate in the sectors of health, agriculture, education, rural community development, and the environment. The Government of Lesotho encourages greater American participation in commercial life and welcomes interest from potential U.S. investors and suppliers. In 2007, the Government of Lesotho signed a compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to provide $362.5 million in support to develop Lesotho's water sector, healthcare infrastructure, and private sector.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/. (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets)[41]

 Vietnam6 January 1998

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 January 1998.[42]

Lesotho and the Commonwealth of Nations

Lesotho, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Swaziland, and Tonga, is a Commonwealth member state with its own monarchy.

See also

References

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  2. https://www.foreign.gov.bb/documents/foreign-policy/22-countries-with-diplomaic-relations-with-barbados/file
  3. Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada (25 November 2008). "Canada - Lesotho Relations". GAC. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  6. "MVEP • Overview of Bilateral Treaties of the Republic of Croatia by Country". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  7. (in Greek) http://www.olc.gov.cy/olc/olc.nsf/all/710606392EF19C61C22575D70026BED9/$file/List%20of%20Lesotho.pdf?openelement Archived 13 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine
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  9. "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Cyprus – International Organizations". www.mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  10. "Estonia Established Diplomatic Relations with Lesotho - Ministry of Foreign Affairs". vm.ee. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  11. "საქართველოს საგარეო საქმეთა სამინისტრო - ლესოტოს სამეფო". www.mfa.gov.ge. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
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  13. "Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Germany". Government of Lesotho. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  14. "Greece's Bilateral Relations". www.mfa.gr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  15. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  17. "Diplomatic List - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lesotho". Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  18. "Taoiseach continues visit to Lesotho". RTE.ie. 10 January 2000. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  19. "Welcome - President.ie". Retrieved 1 September 2015.
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  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  25. "Embassy of Japan in Lesotho". www.za.emb-japan.go.jp. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  26. Kabar (21 July 2017). "Kyrgyzstan, Kingdom of Lesotho establish diplomatic relations". Информационное Агентство Кабар.
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  28. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Malta, Lesotho establish diplomatic relations". Times of Malta. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  29. "Embassy of Lesotho in the United States". Lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  30. "Embassy of Mexico in South Africa". Embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  31. "LIST OF STATES WITH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS". 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  32. "Tabela priznanja i uspostavljanja diplomatskih odnosa". www.mvp.gov.me. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  33. "Diplomatic Relations - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA". Mofa.gov.np. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
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  35. "Lesotho". www.mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  36. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea-Middle East and Africa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
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  39. "Relations between Turkey and Lesotho".
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  41. admin. "- General Information about Countries and Regions". www.mofa.gov.vn. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
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