Foreign relations of Samoa explained

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 the Republic of Korea, China and Japan.[1]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Samoa maintains diplomatic relations with:

Country Date[2]
1 New Zealand
2 India
3 United Kingdom
4 Australia
5 Canada
6 United States[3]
7 Germany
8 Israel
9
10 Japan
11 Belgium
12 France
13 Fiji
14 China
15 Thailand
16 Netherlands
17
18 Philippines[4]
19 Sweden
20 Solomon Islands[5]
21 Chile
22 Egypt
23 Turkey
24 Papua New Guinea
25 Nauru[6]
26 Indonesia
27 Vanuatu
28 Spain
29 Greece
30 Switzerland
31 Malaysia
32 Pakistan
33 Bangladesh
34 Sri Lanka
35 Peru
36 Italy
37 Colombia
38 Tuvalu[7]
39
40 Singapore
41 Marshall Islands
42 Austria
43 Argentina
44 Maldives
45 Croatia
46
47 Kyrgyzstan[8]
48 South Africa
49 Portugal
50 Czech Republic
51 Slovenia
52 Finland
53 Norway
54 Slovakia
55 Cyprus
56 Ireland
57 Seychelles
58 Malta
59
60 Iceland
61 Brazil
62
63
64 Romania
65 Guatemala
66 Cuba
67 Albania
68 Mexico
69 Estonia
70 Lithuania
71 Bosnia and Herzegovina
72 Luxembourg
73 Georgia
74 Botswana
75 Monaco
76 United Arab Emirates
77 Cambodia
78 Montenegro
79 Morocco
80 Paraguay
81 Qatar
82 Hungary
83 Ecuador
84 Mongolia
85
86 Latvia
87 Suriname
88 Kazakhstan
89 Poland[9]
90 Nepal
91 Uruguay[10]
Cook Islands[11]
92 Ukraine
[12]
93 Tajikistan
94 Azerbaijan
95 El Salvador[13]
96 San Marino[14]
97 Ghana
98 Dominican Republic[15]
99 Jamaica[16]
100 Bahrain
101 Bulgaria
102 Cape Verde
103 Saint Lucia[17]
104 Saudi Arabia
105 KiribatiEstablished, date unknown[18]
106 TongaEstablished, date unknown[19]

Bilateral relations

CountryNotes
Argentina
  • Argentina is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa has an honorary consulate in Buenos Aires.[20]
Australia
Canada
  • 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]
ChinaSee 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.
CubaSamoa 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.
Fiji
  • Fiji is accredited to Samoa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Suva.
  • Samoa has a high commission in Suva.
FranceThe 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.
Germany

See main article: Germany–Samoa relations.

  • 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.
IndiaSee India–Samoa relations
  • India is accredited to Samoa from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa does not have an accreditation to India.
JapanDiplomatic 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.
In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo.[29]
Mexico
  • 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 ZealandSee 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]
The Independent State of Samoa and the Republic of Korea have established diplomatic relations on 15 September 1972.
  • Samoa and South Korea have good diplomatic relations.[34]
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.
TurkeySee Samoa–Turkey relations
United Kingdom
  • Samoa is accredited to the United Kingdom from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
  • United Kingdom has a high commission in Apia.
United StatesSee 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 is accredited to the United States from its mission in New York City and has a consulate-general in Pago Pago, American Samoa.[36]
  • United States has an embassy in Apia.[37]

Samoa and the Commonwealth of Nations

Western Samoa joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970.[38]

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.[39]

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.[40] [41] [42]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Samoa adds two diplomatic missions in Asia . 13 January 2009 . . 30 September 2011.
  2. Web site: Countries with Established Diplomatic Relations with Samoa . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200214005624/https://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/countries-with-established-diplomatic-relations-with-samoa/ . 14 February 2020 . 19 August 2018 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Samoa.
  3. Web site: All Countries . 12 November 2021 . Office of the Historian.
  4. Web site: 1 June 2021 . The Republic of the Philippines and Samoa celebrate 44 years of formal diplomatic relations today, June 1! . 18 June 2022.
  5. Book: Report for the Year ... . 1981 . 21 . 16 February 2019. Solomon Islands.
  6. Book: The Europa year book : a world survey. 1979. Vol. 2 . Europa Publications Limited . 1979 . 1770.
  7. Book: 条約集: 二国間条約 . 外務省条約局 . 1988 . Sopoaga Taafaki Tuvalu's Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji and High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Western Samoa....
  8. Web site: Список стран, установивших дипломатические отношения... . 17 April 2019 . ru . Западное Самоа (14 февраля 1995 года); Республика Сан-Марино (20 сентября 2004 года); Королевство Саудовская Аравия (19 октября 1992 года).
  9. Web site: Celebration of the Signing of Diplomatic Relations between Poland and Samoa, Auckland 17th November 2013 . Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin . January–March 2014 . 3 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Samoa . 19 August 2018.
  10. Web site: Diplomatic relations between Samoa and ... . 18 June 2022 . United Nations Digital Library.
  11. Web site: Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin . 18 June 2022 . 2.
  12. http://www.kosovapress.com/en/news/kosovo-and-samoa-establish-diplomatic-relations-105149/ Kosovo and Samoa establish diplomatic relations
  13. News: Garcia . Luis Eliezer . El Salvador establece relaciones diplomáticas con el Estado Independiente de Samoa . 9 July 2019 . rree.gob.sv . 17 April 2018 . es . 9 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190709170719/https://rree.gob.sv/el-salvador-establece-relaciones-diplomaticas-con-el-estado-independiente-de-samoa/ . dead .
  14. Web site: 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 . consigliograndeegenerale.sm . 13 July 2019 . it.
  15. Web site: 24 September 2021 . ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC . 25 August 2022 . es.
  16. Web site: 29 April 2022 . JAMAICA AND THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS . 30 April 2022.
  17. Web site: 14 December 2023 . Saint Lucia and the Independent State of Samoa establish diplomatic relations, with the joint communiqué signed by the PRs H.E Menissa Rambally and H.E Fatumanava Paolelei Luteru of and current AOSISChair. . 14 December 2023.
  18. Ueantabo Fakaofo Neemia . Smallness, islandness and foreign policy behaviour: aspects of island microstates foreign policy behaviour with special reference to Cook Islands and Kiribati . 1995 . 7 September 2019 . University of Wollongong.
  19. News: 7 October 2009 . His Majesty's Government reaches out to neighbouring Samoas . 19 August 2018.
  20. http://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/samoa-honorary-consuls-overseas/ Honorary consulates of Samoa
  21. http://samoa.embassy.gov.au/ High Commission of Australia in Samoa
  22. http://www.samoacgs.com.au/ Consulate-General of Samoa in Sydney
  23. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/new_zealand-nouvelle_zelande/index.aspx?lang=eng High Commission of Canada in New Zealand
  24. https://www.un.int/samoa/samoa/embassy-independent-state-samoa-united-states-america Samoan Permanent Mission to the United Nations
  25. https://archive.today/20090614213049/http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2008/0916amistadislaspacifico.htm "Cuban Foreign Minister Opens Cuba-Pacific Islands Meeting"
  26. Web site: Pacific and Cuba meet to discuss co-operation . 17 September 2008 . . 30 September 2011.
  27. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/samoa/data.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan
  28. http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/samoa/index.html Embassy of Japan in New Zealand web site
  29. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/9910187.asp?scr=1 "Samoa recognises Kosovo independence: Pristina"
  30. https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/nuevazelandia/ Embassy of Mexico in New Zealand (in English and Spanish)
  31. http://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/overseas-honorary-consuls-in-samoa/ Overseas Honorary Consuls in Samoa
  32. Web site: New Zealand High Commission in Samoa . 13 July 2017 . 7 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307162551/https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/pacific/samoa/new-zealand-high-commission/ . dead .
  33. http://www.samoa.org.nz Samoan High Commission in New Zealand
  34. Web site: Search | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea .
  35. Web site: Relations between Turkey and Samoa . 6 October 2020 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  36. http://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/overseas-missions/ Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  37. https://ws.usembassy.gov/ US Embassy in Samoa
  38. Web site: Samoa. 15 August 2013.
  39. News: Samoa's dateline jump passes into law . McLean . Tamara . Herald Sun . 29 June 2011 . 27 November 2011.
  40. News: Andrews. John. NZ may be invited to join proposed 'Polynesian Triangle' ginger group. 20 November 2011. Pacific Scoop News. Scoop News. 19 September 2011.
  41. News: New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa. 20 November 2011. Radio New Zealand. 19 November 2011.
  42. News: American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed . 24 November 2020 . Samoa News . Savalii . 20 November 2011.