Foreign relations of Lesotho

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1979.[2]
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

• Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa visited Brazil in 2010

• Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.[3]
• Canada is represented in Lesotho via parallel accreditation of its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa[3] and has an honorary consulate in Maseru.[4]
• Since 2006, Lesotho has a high commission in Ottawa[3]
• Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
• Pakalitha Mosisili was educated in through Canadian Government provided scholarships

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

• 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.

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

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

• Germany is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[12]
• Lesotho has an embassy in Berlin.[13]

• Greece is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[14]
• Lesotho is represented in Greece via parallel accreditation of its embassy in Rome, Italy.[14]

• Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 25 August 1979.[15]
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

• The High Commission in Pretoria has been concurrently accredited to Lesotho.[16]
• Lesotho has a High Commission in New Delhi.[17]

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]

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

• 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]

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

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

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

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 April 2006.[29]
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

• 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]

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

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

• 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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]

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.[38]

• 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]

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.

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]

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