Foreign relations of Samoa
{{Short description|None}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Politics 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 the Republic of Korea, China and Japan.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=44124 |title=Samoa adds two diplomatic missions in Asia |date=13 January 2009 |work=Radio New Zealand International |access-date=30 September 2011}}
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Samoa maintains diplomatic relations with:
class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |File:Diplomatic relations of Samoa.svg | ||
# | Country | Date{{cite web |title=Countries with Established Diplomatic Relations with Samoa |url=http://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/countries-with-established-diplomatic-relations-with-samoa/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214005624/https://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/countries-with-established-diplomatic-relations-with-samoa/ |archive-date=14 February 2020 |access-date=19 August 2018 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Samoa}} |
---|---|---|
1 | {{flag|New Zealand}} | {{dts|1 January 1962|format=dmy}} |
2 | {{flag|India}} | {{dts|June 1970|format=dmy}} |
3 | {{flag|United Kingdom}} | {{dts|September 1970|format=dmy}} |
4 | {{flag|Australia}} | {{dts|31 March 1971|format=dmy}} |
5 | {{flag|Canada}} | {{dts|11 June 1971|format=dmy}} |
6 | {{flag|United States}} | {{Dts|14 July 1971}}{{Cite web |title=All Countries |url=https://history.state.gov/countries/all |access-date=12 November 2021 |website=Office of the Historian}} |
7 | {{flag|Germany}} | {{dts|18 May 1972|format=dmy}} |
8 | {{flag|Israel}} | {{dts|30 May 1972|format=dmy}} |
9 | {{flag|South Korea}} | {{dts|15 September 1972|format=dmy}} |
10 | {{flag|Japan}} | {{dts|27 March 1973|format=dmy}} |
11 | {{flag|Belgium}} | {{dts|May 1973|format=dmy}} |
12 | {{flag|France}} | {{dts|September 1974|format=dmy}} |
13 | {{flag|Fiji}} | {{dts|10 November 1974|format=dmy}} |
14 | {{flag|China}} | {{dts|6 November 1975|format=dmy}} |
15 | {{flag|Thailand}} | {{dts|15 November 1975|format=dmy}} |
16 | {{flag|Netherlands}} | {{dts|13 April 1976|format=dmy}} |
17 | {{flag|Russia}} | {{dts|2 July 1976|format=dmy}} |
18 | {{flag|Philippines}} | {{dts|1 June 1977|format=dmy}}{{Cite web |date=1 June 2021 |title=The Republic of the Philippines and Samoa celebrate 44 years of formal diplomatic relations today, June 1! |url=https://twitter.com/DFAPHL/status/1399609758756184067 |access-date=18 June 2022}} |
19 | {{flag|Sweden}} | {{dts|1977|format=dmy}} |
20 | {{flag|Solomon Islands}} | {{dts|17 July 1978|format=dmy}}{{cite book |title=Report for the Year ... |date=1981 |page=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TW8TAQAAIAAJ |access-date=16 February 2019|publisher=Solomon Islands}} |
21 | {{flag|Chile}} | {{dts|24 August 1978|format=dmy}} |
22 | {{flag|Egypt}} | {{dts|8 September 1978|format=dmy}} |
23 | {{flag|Turkey}} | {{dts|12 April 1979|format=dmy}} |
24 | {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} | {{dts|27 August 1979|format=dmy}} |
25
|{{flag|Nauru}} | ||
26 | {{flag|Indonesia}} | {{dts|17 March 1980|format=dmy}} |
27 | {{flag|Vanuatu}} | {{dts|30 June 1980|format=dmy}} |
28 | {{flag|Spain}} | {{dts|5 November 1980|format=dmy}} |
29 | {{flag|Greece}} | {{dts|3 April 1981|format=dmy}} |
30 | {{flag|Switzerland}} | {{dts|1 August 1981|format=dmy}} |
31 | {{flag|Malaysia}} | {{dts|August 1982|format=dmy}} |
32 | {{flag|Pakistan}} | {{dts|7 March 1983|format=dmy}} |
33 | {{flag|Bangladesh}} | {{dts|21 December 1983|format=dmy}} |
34 | {{flag|Sri Lanka}} | {{dts|1 January 1984|format=dmy}} |
35 | {{flag|Peru}} | {{dts|23 January 1984|format=dmy}} |
36 | {{flag|Italy}} | {{dts|25 May 1987|format=dmy}} |
37 | {{flag|Colombia}} | {{dts|1 December 1987|format=dmy}} |
38
|{{flag|Tuvalu}} | ||
39 | {{flag|Federated States of Micronesia}} | {{dts|19 April 1990|format=dmy}} |
40 | {{flag|Singapore}} | {{dts|3 September 1990|format=dmy}} |
41 | {{flag|Marshall Islands}} | {{dts|22 October 1990|format=dmy}} |
42 | {{flag|Austria}} | {{dts|18 December 1992|format=dmy}} |
43 | {{flag|Argentina}} | {{dts|18 May 1993|format=dmy}} |
44 | {{flag|Maldives}} | {{dts|2 August 1993|format=dmy}} |
45 | {{flag|Croatia}} | {{dts|8 March 1994|format=dmy}} |
46 | {{flag|Vietnam}} | {{dts|29 March 1994|format=dmy}} |
— | {{flag|Holy See}} | {{dts|10 June 1994|format=dmy}} |
47 | {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}} | {{dts|14 February 1995|format=dmy}}{{cite web |title=Список стран, установивших дипломатические отношения... |url=http://www.mfa.gov.kg/contents/view/id/436 |access-date=17 April 2019 |language=ru |quote=Западное Самоа (14 февраля 1995 года); Республика Сан-Марино (20 сентября 2004 года); Королевство Саудовская Аравия (19 октября 1992 года)}} |
48 | {{flag|South Africa}} | {{dts|22 March 1995|format=dmy}} |
49 | {{flag|Portugal}} | {{dts|9 June 1995|format=dmy}} |
50 | {{flag|Czech Republic}} | {{dts|12 December 1995|format=dmy}} |
51 | {{flag|Slovenia}} | {{dts|25 November 1996|format=dmy}} |
52 | {{flag|Finland}} | {{dts|11 August 1999|format=dmy}} |
53 | {{flag|Norway}} | {{dts|1999|format=dmy}} |
54 | {{flag|Slovakia}} | {{dts|16 March 2000|format=dmy}} |
55 | {{flag|Cyprus}} | {{dts|24 March 2000|format=dmy}} |
56 | {{flag|Ireland}} | {{dts|26 June 2000|format=dmy}} |
57 | {{flag|Seychelles}} | {{dts|29 August 2000|format=dmy}} |
58 | {{flag|Malta}} | {{dts|22 July 2004|format=dmy}} |
59 | {{flag|Timor-Leste}} | {{dts|27 July 2004|format=dmy}} |
60 | {{flag|Iceland}} | {{dts|15 October 2004|format=dmy}} |
61 | {{flag|Brazil}} | {{dts|1 February 2005|format=dmy}} |
62 | {{flag|North Macedonia}} | {{dts|18 August 2005|format=dmy}} |
63 | {{flag|Brunei}} | {{dts|8 February 2006|format=dmy}} |
64 | {{flag|Romania}} | {{dts|2 March 2006|format=dmy}} |
65 | {{flag|Guatemala}} | {{dts|20 September 2007|format=dmy}} |
66 | {{flag|Cuba}} | {{dts|11 October 2007|format=dmy}} |
67 | {{flag|Albania}} | {{dts|1 August 2008|format=dmy}} |
68 | {{flag|Mexico}} | {{dts|21 October 2008|format=dmy}} |
69 | {{flag|Estonia}} | {{dts|23 January 2009|format=dmy}} |
70 | {{flag|Lithuania}} | {{dts|19 February 2009|format=dmy}} |
71 | {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} | {{dts|13 March 2009|format=dmy}} |
72 | {{flag|Luxembourg}} | {{dts|2 June 2009|format=dmy}} |
73 | {{flag|Georgia}} | {{dts|12 March 2010|format=dmy}} |
74 | {{flag|Botswana}} | {{dts|18 March 2010|format=dmy}} |
75 | {{flag|Monaco}} | {{dts|4 May 2010|format=dmy}} |
76 | {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} | {{dts|11 May 2010|format=dmy}} |
77 | {{flag|Cambodia}} | {{dts|18 May 2010|format=dmy}} |
78 | {{flag|Montenegro}} | {{dts|28 January 2011|format=dmy}} |
79 | {{flag|Morocco}} | {{dts|28 January 2011|format=dmy}} |
80 | {{flag|Paraguay}} | {{dts|28 January 2011|format=dmy}} |
81 | {{flag|Qatar}} | {{dts|9 March 2011|format=dmy}} |
82 | {{flag|Hungary}} | {{dts|7 September 2011|format=dmy}} |
83 | {{flag|Ecuador}} | {{dts|20 December 2011|format=dmy}} |
84 | {{flag|Mongolia}} | {{dts|21 December 2011|format=dmy}} |
85 | {{flag|Moldova}} | {{dts|14 June 2012|format=dmy}} |
86 | {{flag|Latvia}} | {{dts|28 June 2012|format=dmy}} |
87 | {{flag|Suriname}} | {{dts|16 November 2012|format=dmy}} |
88 | {{flag|Kazakhstan}} | {{dts|7 February 2013|format=dmy}} |
89 | {{flag|Poland}} | {{dts|8 March 2013|format=dmy}}{{cite web |title=Celebration of the Signing of Diplomatic Relations between Poland and Samoa, Auckland 17th November 2013 |work=Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin |issue=January–March 2014 |page=3 |url=http://www.mfat.gov.ws/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Bulletin-JANUARY-MARCH-2014.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Samoa |access-date=19 August 2018}} |
90 | {{flag|Uruguay}} | {{dts|21 March 2013|format=dmy}}{{Cite web |title=Diplomatic relations between Samoa and ... |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&as=1&m1=p&p1=Diplomatic+relations+between+Samoa+and+...&f1=series&op1=a&m2=a&p2=&f2=&op2=a&m3=a&p3=&f3=&dt=&d1d=&d1m=&d1y=&d2d=&d2m=&d2y=&rm=&ln=en&action_search=Search&sf=title&so=a&rg=50&c=United+Nations+Digital+Library+System&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0 |access-date=18 June 2022 |website=United Nations Digital Library}} |
91 | {{flag|Nepal}} | {{dts|28 March 2013|format=dmy}} |
— | {{flag|Cook Islands}} | {{dts|30 August 2013|format=dmy}}{{Cite web |title=Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin |url=https://www.mfat.gov.ws/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Bulletin-JANUARY-MARCH-2014.pdf |access-date=18 June 2022 |page=2}} |
92 | {{flag|Ukraine}} | {{dts|23 September 2013|format=dmy}} |
— | {{flag|Kosovo}} | {{dts|10 March 2017|format=dmy}}[http://www.kosovapress.com/en/news/kosovo-and-samoa-establish-diplomatic-relations-105149/ Kosovo and Samoa establish diplomatic relations], KosovaPress, 2017-03-10 |
93 | {{flag|Tajikistan}} | {{dts|22 December 2017|format=dmy}} |
94 | {{flag|Azerbaijan}} | {{dts|19 January 2018|format=dmy}} |
95 | {{flag|El Salvador}} | {{dts|17 April 2018|format=dmy}}{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Luis Eliezer |title=El Salvador establece relaciones diplomáticas con el Estado Independiente de Samoa |url=https://rree.gob.sv/el-salvador-establece-relaciones-diplomaticas-con-el-estado-independiente-de-samoa/ |access-date=9 July 2019 |work=rree.gob.sv |date=17 April 2018 |language=es |archive-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709170719/https://rree.gob.sv/el-salvador-establece-relaciones-diplomaticas-con-el-estado-independiente-de-samoa/ |url-status=dead }} |
96 | {{flag|San Marino}} | {{dts|28 February 2019|format=dmy}}{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/on-line/home/lavori-consiliari/verbali-sedute/scheda17161809.html |website=consigliograndeegenerale.sm |access-date=13 July 2019 |language=it}} |
97 | {{flag|Ghana}} | {{dts|20 December 2019|format=dmy}} |
98
|{{flag|Dominican Republic}} |{{dts|23 September 2021|format=dmy}}{{Cite web |date=24 September 2021 |title=ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |url=https://www.un.int/samoa/news/establishment-diplomatic-relations-between-independent-state-samoa-and-dominican-republic |access-date=25 August 2022 |language=es}} | ||
99
|{{flag|Jamaica}} |{{Date table sorting|26 April 2022}}{{Cite web |date=29 April 2022 |title=JAMAICA AND THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS |url=https://mfaft.gov.jm/jamaica-and-the-independent-state-of-samoa-establish-diplomatic-relations/ |access-date=30 April 2022}} | ||
100
|{{flag|Bahrain}} | ||
101
|{{flag|Bulgaria}} | ||
102
|{{flag|Cape Verde}} | ||
103 | {{flag|Saint Lucia}} | {{dts|14 December 2023|format=dmy}}{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=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. |url=https://twitter.com/SaintLuciaUN/status/1735350079215542350 |access-date=14 December 2023}} |
104 | {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} | {{dts|23 May 2024|format=dmy}} |
105
|{{flag|Bahamas}} | ||
106
|{{flag|Rwanda}} | ||
107
|{{flag|Belize}} | ||
108
|{{Flag|Uganda}} | ||
109 | {{flag|Kiribati}} | Established, date unknown{{cite thesis |author1=Ueantabo Fakaofo Neemia |title=Smallness, islandness and foreign policy behaviour: aspects of island microstates foreign policy behaviour with special reference to Cook Islands and Kiribati |date=1995 |url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/1439/ |access-date=7 September 2019 |publisher=University of Wollongong}} |
110
|{{flag|Tonga}} |Established, date unknown{{cite news |date=7 October 2009 |title=His Majesty's Government reaches out to neighbouring Samoas |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/tonga/his-majestys-government-reaches-out-neighbouring-samoas |access-date=19 August 2018}} |
Bilateral relations
class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;" | |
style="width:15%;"| Country
!Notes | |
---|---|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Argentina}} | * Argentina is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Australia}} | * Australia has a High Commission in Apia.[http://samoa.embassy.gov.au/ High Commission of Australia in Samoa]
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Canada}} | * Canada is accredited to Samoa from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand.[http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/new_zealand-nouvelle_zelande/index.aspx?lang=eng High Commission of Canada in New Zealand]
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|China}} | See 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. |
valign="top"
|{{flag|Cuba}} | 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.[https://archive.today/20090614213049/http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2008/0916amistadislaspacifico.htm "Cuban Foreign Minister Opens Cuba-Pacific Islands Meeting"], Cuban News Agency, 16 September 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=42045 |title=Pacific and Cuba meet to discuss co-operation |date=17 September 2008 |work=Radio New Zealand International |access-date=30 September 2011}}
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Fiji}} | * Fiji is accredited to Samoa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Suva.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|France}} | 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.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Germany}} | {{main|Germany–Samoa relations}}
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|India}} | See India–Samoa relations
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Japan}} | 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.[http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/samoa/data.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan] Japan opened an embassy in Apia on 1 January 2013.[http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/samoa/index.html Embassy of Japan in New Zealand web site]
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Kosovo}} | In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo.[http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/9910187.asp?scr=1 "Samoa recognises Kosovo independence: Pristina"], Agence France-Presse, 16 September 2008 |
valign="top"
|{{flag|Mexico}} | * Mexico is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.[https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/nuevazelandia/ Embassy of Mexico in New Zealand (in English and Spanish)][http://www.mfat.gov.ws/embassies/overseas-honorary-consuls-in-samoa/ Overseas Honorary Consuls in Samoa]
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|New Zealand}} | See 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.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|South Korea}} | The Independent State of Samoa and the Republic of Korea have established diplomatic relations on 15 September 1972.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Tonga}} | See Samoa–Tonga relations
Both nations are Pacific Islands countries and members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Pacific Islands Forum.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|Turkey}} | See Samoa–Turkey relations
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|United Kingdom}} | * Samoa is accredited to the United Kingdom from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
|
valign="top"
|{{flag|United States}} | See 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 joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/samoa|title=Samoa|date=15 August 2013}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/samoas-dateline-jump-passes-into-law/story-e6frf7jx-1226083970021 |title=Samoa's dateline jump passes into law |last=McLean |first=Tamara |newspaper=Herald Sun |date=29 June 2011 |access-date=27 November 2011}}
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.{{cite news|last1=Andrews|first1=John|title=NZ may be invited to join proposed 'Polynesian Triangle' ginger group|url=http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/nz-may-be-invited-to-join-proposed-polynesian-triangle-ginger-group/|access-date=20 November 2011|agency=Pacific Scoop News|publisher=Scoop News|date=19 September 2011}}{{cite news|title=New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/200981/new-polynesian-leaders-group-formed-in-samoa|access-date=20 November 2011|agency=Radio New Zealand |date=19 November 2011}}{{cite news |title=American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed |url=https://www.samoanews.com/american-samoa-joins-poly-leaders-group-mou-signed |access-date=24 November 2020 |work=Samoa News |agency=Savalii |date=20 November 2011}}
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Samoa
- List of diplomatic missions of Samoa
- Samoan passport
- Visa policy of Samoa
- Visa requirements for Samoan citizens
- Kaimiloa, a ship of the Kingdom of Hawaii that attempted to establish relations between Hawaii and Samoa.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{Foreign relations of Samoa}}
{{Foreign relations of Oceania}}
{{Pacific Islands Forum}}
{{Samoa topics|state=collapsed}}