Foreign relations of the Cook Islands

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Foreign relations of the Cook Islands
  Cook Islands
  States that maintain diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands
  States that maintain consular relations with the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations with various countries and is a member of multilateral organisations. While the country is in free association with New Zealand, which can act on the Cook Islands' "delegated authority [...] to assist the Cooks Islands" in foreign affairs,[1] the Cook Islands nevertheless enters into treaty obligations and otherwise "interacts with the international community as a sovereign and independent state."[1]

In the 1980s the Cook Islands became a member of several United Nations specialized agencies: the World Health Organization in 1984, the Food and Agriculture Organization and UNESCO in 1985, and the International Civil Aviation Organization in 1986. The Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs records that in 1988 New Zealand declared "that its future participation in international agreements would no longer extend to the Cook Islands..."[2] In 1991 the Cook Islands became a full member of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Preparatory Committee and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change (INC), which the Repertory of Practice describes as "further evidence that the international community had accepted the Cook Islands as a “State” under international law."[2] The United Nations Secretariat therefore "recognized the full treaty-making capacity of the Cook Islands" in 1992[2] and the Secretary-General, in his capacity as the depository of multilateral treaties, decided that the Cook Islands could participate in treaties that were open to "all states".[3]

As of August 2015, the Cook Islands has diplomatic relations with 44 states. It has also non-resident mission accredited to the European Union (EU) in Avarua. Todd McClay served as Cook Islands Ambassador to the EU from 2002 to 2008. McClay retired from that position and moved back to New Zealand to successfully contest the Rotorua seat in the 2008 New Zealand General Election. James Gosselin, the Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs, currently serves as the Cook Islands non-resident representative to the European Union (resident in Avarua).

In 2000 the Cook Islands government signed the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).

Upon signature of this agreement the Cook Islands Government established a representation to the EU in Brussels. In 2002 this representation was upgraded to a full diplomatic mission with accreditation to the European Union. The establishment of this mission marked an important development in Cook Islands international relations representing the first full diplomatic mission established by the Cook Islands outside of Pacific countries.

The Cook Islands Mission to the European Communities interacts with European Union institutions, the ACP Group of States and other bilateral country representations and embassies.

Diplomatic relations

The following countries have established formal diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands.[4]

Oceania

Europe

Asia

Americas

Africa

Consular relations

The following countries have established consular relations with the Cook Islands only.

International organisation participation

43rd Pacific Islands Forum, in the Cook Islands, 28.8.-1.9.2012

Participation in international treaties and conventions

See also

Notes

  1. Japan recognized independence of the Cook Islands on 25 March 2011.[19][20]
  2. Cook Islands Honorary Consul is appointed to and acknowledged in Monaco since 2007 or before.[27][28]
  3. Cook Islands Honorary Consul in Los Angeles is recognized by the United States since 1995.[30]
  4. including the Facility Agreement with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.[35]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Joint Centenary Declaration of the Principles of the Relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, clause 4; signed by the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands at Rarotonga on 11 June 2001. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs, Supplement No. 8, Volume VI at para 11
  3. Summary of Practice of the Secretary-General as Depositary of Multilateral Treaties (United Nations, New York, 1999) at para 86
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  23. Korea, Cook Islands to establish diplomatic ties by year's end: "Korea will establish diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands in the South Pacific Ocean by the end of this year, making it the 190th country with which Seoul will have diplomatic ties", 2012-10-23
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  27. Ordonnance Souveraine n° 1.259 du 10 août 2007 auto risant à exercer les fonctions de Consul honoraire des Iles Cook dans Notre Principauté. (Journal de Monaco Bulletin Officiel de la Principautè)
  28. Honorary Consul in Monaco
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  32. "NZ may be invited to join proposed ‘Polynesian Triangle’ ginger group", Pacific Scoop, 19 September 2011
  33. "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa", Radio New Zealand International, 18 November 2011
  34. "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed", Savali, 19 November 2011
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External links