Foreign relations of Paraguay

Paraguayan foreign policy has concentrated on maintaining good relations with its neighbors, and it has been an active proponent of regional co-operation. It is a member of the United Nations and has served one term in the UN Security Council in 1967-1969. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. It also belongs to the Organization of American States, the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the Rio Group, INTERPOL, MERCOSUR (the Southern Cone Common Market) and UNASUR.

At the political level, diplomatic affairs and international relations of Paraguay are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which answers to the executive branch of the government. The current Minister of Foreign Relations as of 2018 is Luis Alberto Castiglioni.[1]

Unlike any other country in South America, Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China instead of the People's Republic of China. Paraguay presently is the largest country maintaining official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.

Bilateral Relations

Africa

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Egypt
 SADR2000-02-09

Paraguay recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

 South Africa

Americas

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina1811See Argentina–Paraguay relations
 Belize7 November 2004
 Bolivia

In 2009 Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which had led to the Chaco War in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries" [9] Relations, as with many countries in the area, have had increased tension since the Paraguay impeachment in 2012.

 BrazilSee Brazil–Paraguay relations
Border of Brazil and Paraguay

Paraguay–Brazil relations have improved greatly after Brazilian President Lula's decision in 2009 to triple its payments to Paraguay for energy from a massive hydro-electric dam on their border, ending a long-running dispute. Under the accord, Brazil will pay Paraguay $360m a year for energy from the jointly-operated Itaipu plant. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.[10]

  • Brazil has an embassy in Asunción and maintains several consulates throughout the country.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Brasília and maintains several consulates throughout the country.
 Canada
  • Canada is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Ottawa.
 Chile
  • Chile has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Santiago.
 ColombiaSee Colombia–Paraguay relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in San José.
 Cuba
  • Cuba has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Havana.
 Dominican Republic
  • Dominican Republic has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Santo Domingo.
 Ecuador
  • Ecuador has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Quito.
 El Salvador
  • El Salvador is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay is accredited to El Salvador from its embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
 Guatemala
  • Guatemala has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay is accredited to Guatemala from its embassy in Mexico City.
 Guyana14 April 1994
 Honduras
  • Honduras is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires Argentina.
  • Paraguay is accredited to Honduras from its embassy in Panama City.
 Mexico18 April 1881See Mexico–Paraguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1881.

  • Mexico has an embassy in Asunción.[12]
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Mexico City.
 Nicaragua
  • Nicaragua is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay is accredited to Nicaragua from its embassy in Panama City.
 Panama
  • Panama has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Panama City.
 Peru2 May 1858See Paraguay–Peru relations
 United States See Paraguay–United States relations

A military training agreement with Asunción, giving immunity to US soldiers, caused some concern after media reports initially reported that a base housing 20,000 US soldiers was being built at Mariscal Estigarribia within 200 km of Argentina and Bolivia, and 300 km of Brazil, near an airport which could receive large planes (B-52, C-130 Hercules, etc.) which the Paraguayan Air Forces do not have.[16][17]

In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects after stating that he no longer thinks that hosting troops taking part in the US department of defence's "New Horizons" programme was worthwhile. President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision.[18]

 Uruguay6 April 1845See Paraguay–Uruguay relations
 Venezuela

Relations between Paraguay and Venezuela have improved since Paraguay's new leftist President Fernando Lugo was inaugurated, a change from 61 unbroken years of Colorado party rule. President Lugo has supported Venezuela's entry into Mercosur however the Colorado Party's influence in Paraguay's Congress and Senate retards this expansion.

Paraguay and Venezuela have restarted negotiations on an unpaid debt of $250 million owed by Paraguayan oil company Petropar to its counterpart Petróleos de Venezuela after the Presidents of Paraguay and Venezuela met to deal with the financing.[21]In January, 2019, Paraguay cut its diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

Asia

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia1992-06-02

Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 2. 1992.[22]

 Republic of China(Taiwan)8 July 1957 See Paraguay–Taiwan relations

Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China as the legitimate government of China.

 India13 September 1961 See India–Paraguay relations
 Japan17 November 1919See Japan–Paraguay relations
  • Japan has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Tokyo.
 Lebanon
  • Lebanon has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Beirut.
 Qatar
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Asunción.
 South Korea15 June 1962See Paraguay–South Korea relations
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Asunción.
 Turkey1953[26]See Paraguay–Turkey relations
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Ankara.[27]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Asuncion.[28]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 82.1 million USD in 2019 (Paraguay's exports/imports: 35/47.1 million USD).[29]

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Bulgaria1992-12-02
 Denmark
  • Paraguay is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[30]
  • Denmark is represented in Paraguay, through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[31]
  • Denmark also has an honorary consulate in Asunción.
 France1853
 Germany1860See Germany–Paraguay relations
  • Germany has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate-general in Frankfurt.
 Iceland
 Italy
  • Italy has an embassy in Asunción.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Rome.
 Poland
  • Paraguay is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
 RussiaSee Paraguay–Russia relations
 Serbia1950

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1950.[38]

 Spain10 September 1880See Paraguay–Spain relations
 Ukraine1993-02-26
  • Paraguay is accredited to Ukraine from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
  • Ukraine is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and maintains an honorary consulate in Asunción.
  • There is an important community of people of Ukrainian origins in Paraguay (between 10,000 and 15,000 people), most of whom arrived at the beginning of the 20th century. (See Ukrainians in Paraguay)
  • Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations
 United Kingdom1853-03-04

Oceania

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 AustraliaSee Australia–Paraguay relations

Australia's positive relations with Paraguay are growing. In 2011, Paraguay opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia opened a consulate in Asunción. As agricultural producers and exporters, they work together to achieve fairer international trade in agricultural products through membership of the Cairns Group and cooperation in other multilateral fora. Australia is also increasing its engagement with Paraguay through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. An increasing number of Paraguayan students are pursuing their education at Australian institutions.[41]

  • Australia is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay has an embassy in Canberra.
 New Zealand
  • New Zealand is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

International organizations

Paraguay is a member of the following international organizations:[42]

CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (also known as the World Bank), ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Rio Group, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

See also

References

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  2. "Embapar Egipto". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  3. "Embajadas" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  4. "General South African History Timeline". Sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  5. "South Africa security cloaks Paraguay leader's state visit (Christian Science Monitor)". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1974-04-10. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  6. "Ex-Paraguay ruler buried in exile (BBC)". BBC News. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2018-12-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Bolivia and Paraguay agree border". BBC News. April 28, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  9. "Brazil and Paraguay in power deal". BBC News. July 25, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  10. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. Embassy of Mexico in Asuncion (in Spanish)
  12. "Paraguayan embassy in Lima (in Spanish only)". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  13. "Peruvian embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only)". Embperu.com.py. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  14. http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy24371/
  15. "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations". International Relations Center. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12. Retrieved April 2006. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  16. US Marines put a foot in Paraguay, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (in Spanish)
  17. "Paraguay cancels US troops deal - Americas". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  18. "Paraguayan embassy in Montevideo (in Spanish only)". Geocities.com. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  19. Uruguayan embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only) Archived 2009-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
  20. Archived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  21. http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy8871/
  22. Paraguay opens first Asian embassy in Taiwan, Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific, Issues 3641-3653, British Broadcasting Corporation, 1999, page D-10
  23. "Embajada India". Mre.gov.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  24. "Paraguayan FM: Ties with Turkey strengthen through further cooperation". The Daily Sabah.
  25. "Relations between Turkey and Paraguay".
  26. "Relations between Turkey and Paraguay".
  27. "Relations between Turkey and Paraguay".
  28. "Embassy of Paraguay in Denmark". VisaHQm. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  29. Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  30. French embassy in Asuncion (in French and Spanish only) Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  31. http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy12960/
  32. "Paraguayan embassy in Moscow". Embapar.ru. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  33. "Russia declares its intention to open a resident embassy in Asunción". En.rian.ru. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  34. Embassy of Paraguay in Madrid (in Spanish)
  35. Embassy of Spain in Asuncion (in Spanish)
  36. http://dfat.gov.au/geo/paraguay/paraguay_brief.html
  37. "CIA World Factbook - Paraguay". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
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