Foreign relations of Samoa

The Samoan Government is generally conservative and pro-Western, with a strong interest in regional political and economic issues. Samoa participated in a first round of negotiations with its Pacific Island neighbors for a regional trade agreement in August 2000. In January 2009, Samoa opened embassies in China and Japan.[1]

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Diplomatic relations

Countries having diplomatic relations with Samoa:[2]

Countries having diplomatic relations with Samoa
#Diplomatic relations of SamoaDate
1 New Zealand1 January 1962
2 IndiaJune 1970
3 United KingdomSeptember 1970
4 Australia31 March 1971
5 Canada11 June 1971
6 United States1971
7 Germany18 May 1972
8 Israel30 May 1972
9 South Korea15 September 1972
10 Japan27 March 1973
11 BelgiumMay 1973
12 FranceSeptember 1974
13 Fiji10 November 1974
14 China6 November 1975
15 Thailand15 November 1975
16 Netherlands13 April 1976
17 Russia2 July 1976
18 Sweden1977
19 Solomon Islands17 July 1978[3]
20 Chile24 August 1978
21 Egypt8 September 1978
22 Turkey12 April 1979
23 Papua New Guinea27 August 1979
24 Indonesia17 March 1980
25 Vanuatu30 June 1980
26 Spain5 November 1980
27 Greece3 April 1981
28 Philippines1981
29  Switzerland1 August 1981
30 MalaysiaAugust 1982
31 Pakistan7 March 1983
32 Bangladesh21 December 1983
33 Sri Lanka1 January 1984
34 Peru23 January 1984
35 Italy25 May 1987
36 Colombia1 December 1987
37 Federated States of Micronesia19 April 1990
38 Singapore3 September 1990
39 Marshall Islands22 October 1990
40 Austria18 December 1992
41 Argentina18 May 1993
42 Maldives2 August 1993
43 Croatia8 March 1994
44 Vietnam29 March 1994
–  Holy See10 June 1994
45 Kyrgyzstan14 February 1995[4]
46 South Africa22 March 1995
47 Portugal9 June 1995
48 Czech Republic12 December 1995
49 Slovenia25 November 1996
50 Finland11 August 1999
51 Norway1999
52 Slovakia16 March 2000
53 Cyprus24 March 2000
54 Republic of Ireland26 June 2000
55 Seychelles29 August 2000
56 Malta22 July 2004
57 Timor-Leste27 July 2004
58 Iceland15 October 2004
59 Brazil1 February 2005
60 North Macedonia18 August 2005
61 Brunei8 February 2006
62 Romania2 March 2006
63 Guatemala20 September 2007
64 Cuba11 October 2007
65 Albania1 August 2008
66 Mexico21 October 2008
67 Estonia23 January 2009
68 Lithuania19 February 2009
69 Bosnia and Herzegovina13 March 2009
70 Luxembourg2 June 2009
71 Georgia12 March 2010
72 Botswana18 March 2010
73 Monaco4 May 2010
74 United Arab Emirates11 May 2010
75 Cambodia18 May 2010
76 Montenegro28 January 2011
77 Morocco28 January 2011
78 Paraguay28 January 2011
79 Qatar9 March 2011
80 Hungary7 September 2011
81 Ecuador20 December 2011
82 Mongolia21 December 2011
83 Ukraine7 May 2012
84 Moldova14 June 2012
85 Latvia28 June 2012
86 Suriname16 November 2012[5]
87 Kazakhstan7 February 2013
– Cook Islands2013[6]
88 Poland8 March 2013[7]
89   Nepal28 March 2013
90 Uruguay21 May 2013[8]
– Kosovo10 March 2017[9]
91 Tajikistan22 December 2017[10]
92 Azerbaijan19 January 2018[11]
93 El Salvador17 April 2018[12]
94 San Marino28 February 2019[13]
95 Ghana20 December 2019[14]
96 KiribatiEstablished, date unknown[15]
97 NauruEstablished, date unknown[16]
98 Saint Kitts and NevisEstablished, date unknown[17]
99 TongaEstablished, date unknown[18]
100 TuvaluEstablished, date unknown[19]

Bilateral relations
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina18 May 1993
  • Argentina is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa has an honorary consulate in Buenos Aires.[20]
 Australia31 March 1971
 BelgiumMay 1973
  • Belgium is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
  • Samoa has an embassy in Brussels.
 Brazil1 February 2005
  • Brazil is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to Brazil.
 Canada11 June 1971
  • Canada is accredited to Samoa from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand.[23]
  • Samoa is accredited to Canada from its mission in New York City.[24]
 Chile28 August 1978
  • Chile is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to Chile.
 China6 November 1975See China–Samoa relations

The Independent State of Samoa and the People's Republic of China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 1976. The two countries currently maintain cordial relations; China provides economic aid to Samoa.

  • China has an embassy in Apia.
  • Samoa has an embassy in Beijing and has an honorary consulate in Hong Kong.[20]
 Cuba11 October 2007

Samoa participated in the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana in September 2008, aimed at "strengthening cooperation" between Cuba and Samoa, notably in coping with the impact of climate change.[25][26]

  • Cuba is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in [[Suva, Fiji.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to Cuba.
 Fiji10 November 1974
  • Fiji is accredited to Samoa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Suva.
  • Samoa is accredited to Fiji from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Apia and has a Student Counselor office in Suva.
 FranceSeptember 1974

The Samoan Government was an outspoken critic of the French decision to resume nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific Ocean in 1995. An indefinite ban was placed on visits to Samoa by French warships and aircraft. Large-scale street demonstrations were held in Apia. The French tests concluded in early 1996.

  • France is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.
  • Samoa is accredited to France from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
 Germany18 May 1972
  • Germany is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.
  • Samoa is accredited to Germany from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium and maintains an honorary consulate in Berlin.[20]
 IndiaJune 1970See India–Samoa relations
  • India is accredited to Samoa from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to India.
 Japan1973

Diplomatic relations between Japan and Samoa were established in 1973. Ministerial level visits are frequent between the two countries. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko made a state visit to Samoa in 2003 when the Emperor was still Crown Prince.[27] Japan opened an embassy in Apia on 1 January 2013.[28]

  • Japan has an embassy in Apia.
  • Samoa has an embassy in Tokyo.
 Kosovo10 March 2017

In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo.[29]

 Mexico21 October 2008See Mexico–Samoa relations
  • Mexico is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.[30][31]
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to Mexico.
 New Zealand1 January 1962See New Zealand–Samoa relations

At independence in 1962, Samoa signed a Treaty of Friendship with New Zealand. This treaty confirms the special relationship between the two countries and provides a framework for their interaction. Under the terms of the treaty, Samoa can request that New Zealand act as a channel of communication to governments and international organizations outside the immediate area of the Pacific islands. Samoa can also request defense assistance which New Zealand is required to consider, as Samoa does not maintain a formal military. Overall, Samoa has strong links with New Zealand, where many Samoans now live and many others were educated. New Zealand is the closest stopping ground for travel to Samoa.

  • New Zealand has a high commission in Apia.[32]
  • Samoa has a high commission in Wellington and a consulate-general in Auckland.[33]
 Papua New Guinea27 August 1979
  • Papua New Guinea is accredited to Samoa from its High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Apia.
 Russia2 July 1976
  • Russia is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to Russia.
 South Korea15 September 1972
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to South Korea.
  • South Korea is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
 Spain5 November 1980See Samoa–Spain relations
  • Samoa is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Spain is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
 TongaSee Samoa–Tonga relations

Both nations are Pacific Islands countries and members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Pacific Islands Forum.

  • Samoa is accredited to Tonga from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Apia.
  • Tonga is accredited to Samoa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nukuʻalofa.
 TurkeyApril 12, 1979[34]See Samoa–Turkey relations
 United KingdomSeptember 1970
  • Samoa is accredited to the United Kingdom from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • United Kingdom has a High Commission in Apia.
 United States1971See Samoa–United States relations

The two countries share cordial relations. Since 1967, the United States has supported a substantial Peace Corps program in Samoa. Over 1,700 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Samoa over that time, with 51 Volunteers currently in-country. Peace Corps programs emphasize village-based development and capacity building. Other forms of U.S. assistance to Samoa are limited. The U.S. Embassy, staffed by a single officer, is the smallest Embassy in Samoa and one of the few one-officer U.S. Embassies in the world.

Samoa and the Commonwealth of Nations

Western Samoa became independent on 1 January 1962, but did not formally join the Commonwealth of Nations until 1970. Between 1962 and 1970, Western Samoa was treated as though it was a Commonwealth member state. Since 2007, Samoa has been classed as a Commonwealth republic.

International organization participation

ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, SOPAC, SPREP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO.

Regional integration

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has pushed through a variety of legislation to increase links between Samoa and the Pacific regional powers of Australia and New Zealand. Under his leadership the country switched to driving on the left, decided to shift westwards across the international date line and adopted daylight saving time, and proposed the introduction of a common Pacific currency.[37]

In late 2011, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi initiated a meeting of Polynesian leaders which led, in November, to the formal launching of the Polynesian Leaders Group, a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment. The Group was in part a response to the Melanesian Spearhead Group.[38][39][40]

See also

References
  1. "Samoa adds two diplomatic missions in Asia". Radio New Zealand International. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  2. "Countries with Established Diplomatic Relations with Samoa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Samoa. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  3. Report for the Year ... Solomon Islands. 1981. p. 21. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  4. "Список стран, установивших дипломатические отношения..." (in Russian). Retrieved 17 April 2019. Западное Самоа (14 февраля 1995 года); Республика Сан-Марино (20 сентября 2004 года); Королевство Саудовская Аравия (19 октября 1992 года)
  5. "Lijst van Diplomatieke Betrekkingen en Visum-afschaffingsovereenkomsten" (PDF) (in Dutch). 16 May 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  6. "Pacific Relations". Cook Islands Government. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  7. "Celebration of the Signing of Diplomatic Relations between Poland and Samoa, Auckland 17th November 2013" (PDF). Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Samoa. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  8. "Diplomatic Relations between Samoa and Uruguay as of 21 May 2013". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  9. Kosovo and Samoa establish diplomatic relations, KosovaPress, 2017-03-10
  10. "Diplomatic Relations Between Samoa and Tajikistan as of 22 Dec. 2017". Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. "Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Samoa as of 19 January 2018". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  12. Garcia, Luis Eliezer (17 April 2018). "El Salvador establece relaciones diplomáticas con el Estado Independiente de Samoa". rree.gob.sv (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  13. "Accordo tra la Repubblica di San Marino e lo Stato Indipendente di Samoa sullo stabilimento delle relazioni diplomatiche, firmato a New York il 28 febbraio 2019 - Consiglio Grande e Generale". www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm (in Italian). Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  14. "The Republic of Ghana and the Independent State of Samoa have signed a Joint Communique establishing Diplomatic relations between the two countries". Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  15. Ueantabo Fakaofo Neemia (1995). "Smallness, islandness and foreign policy behaviour: aspects of island microstates foreign policy behaviour with special reference to Cook Islands and Kiribati". University of Wollongong. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  16. "List of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Nauru and Other Countries". Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  17. "Diplomatic relations of Saint Kitts and Nevis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  18. "His Majesty's Government reaches out to neighbouring Samoas". 7 October 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  19. "News from Cabinet, 2 April 2015 – Government of Samoa". Government of Samoa (in English and Samoan). Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  20. Honorary consulates of Samoa
  21. High Commission of Australia in Samoa
  22. Consulate-General of Samoa in Sydney
  23. High Commission of Canada in New Zealand
  24. Samoan Permanent Mission to the United Nations
  25. "Cuban Foreign Minister Opens Cuba-Pacific Islands Meeting", Cuban News Agency, 16 September 2008
  26. "Pacific and Cuba meet to discuss co-operation". Radio New Zealand International. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  27. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan
  28. Embassy of Japan in New Zealand web site
  29. "Samoa recognises Kosovo independence: Pristina", Agence France-Presse, 16 September 2008
  30. Embassy of Mexico in New Zealand (in English and Spanish)
  31. Overseas Honorary Consuls in Samoa
  32. New Zealand High Commission in Samoa
  33. Samoan High Commission in New Zealand
  34. "Relations between Turkey and Samoa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  35. Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  36. US Embassy in Samoa
  37. McLean, Tamara (29 June 2011). "Samoa's dateline jump passes into law". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  38. Andrews, John (19 September 2011). "NZ may be invited to join proposed 'Polynesian Triangle' ginger group". Scoop News. Pacific Scoop News. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  39. "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa". Radio New Zealand. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  40. "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed". Samoa News. Savalii. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
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