Foreign relations of Samoa

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Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 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]

Bilateral relations

Botswana

Botswana and Samoa established diplomatic relations on 18 March 2010.[2]

People's Republic of China

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Main article: People's Republic of 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.

The current Ambassador of China in Samoa is Ma Chongren.[3] Samoa has not yet appointed resident diplomatic personnel in China, but has announced its intention to do so.[4]

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.[5][6]

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.

Kosovo

In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo.[7]

New Zealand

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.

United States

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Main article: 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.

Principal U.S. Officials include Ambassador William P. McCormick (accredited to both New Zealand and Samoa; resident in Wellington) and Chargé d'Affaires George W. Colvin Jr.

Samoa and the Commonwealth of Nations

Western Samoa became independent on 1 January 1962, but did not formally join the Commonwealth 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.[8]

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.[9][10][11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ "Botswana establishes relations with Samoa, Guinea Bissau" 30 March 2010 Link retrieved 1 April 2010
  3. ↑ PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  4. ↑ "Samoa to establish diplomatic offices in China, Japan", Xinhua, 23 June 2006
  5. ↑ "Cuban Foreign Minister Opens Cuba-Pacific Islands Meeting", Cuban News Agency, 16 September 2008
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ "Samoa recognises Kosovo independence: Pristina", Agence France-Presse, 16 September 2008
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ "NZ may be invited to join proposed ‘Polynesian Triangle’ ginger group", Pacific Scoop, 19 September 2011
  10. ↑ "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa", Radio New Zealand International, 18 November 2011
  11. ↑ "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed", Savali, 19 November 2011
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