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Foreign relations of Samoa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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List of countries which Samoa maintains diplomatic relations with:

#CountryDate[2]
1 New Zealand1 January 1962
2 IndiaJune 1970
3 United KingdomSeptember 1970
4 Australia31 March 1971
5 Canada11 June 1971
6 United States14 July 1971[3]
7 France16 July 1971[4]
8 Germany18 May 1972
9 Israel30 May 1972
10 South Korea15 September 1972
11 Japan27 March 1973
12 BelgiumMay 1973
13 Fiji10 November 1974
14 China6 November 1975
15 Netherlands13 April 1976
16 Russia2 July 1976
17 Philippines1 June 1977[5]
18 Sweden1977
— North Korea (suspended)28 June 1978[6]
19 Solomon Islands17 July 1978[7]
20 Chile24 August 1978
21 Egypt8 September 1978
22 Thailand15 November 1978[8]
23 Turkey12 April 1979
24 Papua New Guinea27 August 1979
25 Nauru 1979[9]
26 Indonesia17 March 1980
27 Vanuatu30 July 1980
28 Spain5 November 1980
29 Greece3 April 1981
30  Switzerland1 August 1981
31 MalaysiaAugust 1982
32 Pakistan7 March 1983
33 Bangladesh21 December 1983
34 Peru23 January 1984
35 Italy25 May 1987
36 Colombia1 December 1987
37 Tuvalu 1988[10]
38 Federated States of Micronesia19 April 1990
39 Singapore3 September 1990
40 Marshall Islands22 October 1990
41 Austria18 December 1992
42 Argentina18 May 1993
43 Maldives2 August 1993
44 Croatia8 March 1994
45 Vietnam9 March 1994[11]
— Holy See10 June 1994
46 Kyrgyzstan14 February 1995[12]
47 South Africa22 March 1995
48 Portugal9 June 1995
49 Czech Republic12 December 1995
50 Slovenia25 November 1997
51 Finland11 August 1999
52 Slovakia16 March 2000
53 Cyprus24 May 2000[13]
54 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 Poland8 March 2012[13]
84 Moldova14 June 2012
85 Latvia28 June 2012
86 Suriname16 November 2012
87 Kazakhstan7 February 2013
88 Uruguay21 March 2013[13]
89   Nepal28 March 2013
— Cook Islands30 August 2013[14]
90 Ukraine 23 September 2013[13]
91 Sri Lanka15 August 2014[13]
— Kosovo9 March 2017[15]
92 Tajikistan 22 December 2017[13]
93 Azerbaijan19 January 2018[13]
94 El Salvador13 April 2018[16]
95 San Marino28 February 2019[17]
96 Norway8 March 2019[18]
97 Ghana20 December 2019[13]
98 Dominican Republic23 September 2021[19]
99 Jamaica 26 April 2022[20]
100 Bahrain 27 April 2023[13]
101 Bulgaria 8 May 2023[13]
102 Cape Verde 9 May 2023[13]
103 Saint Lucia 14 December 2023[21]
104 Saudi Arabia23 May 2024[13]
105 Bahamas22 October 2024[13]
106 Rwanda 23 October 2024[13]
107 Belize 25 February 2025[13]
108 Uganda 7 March 2025[13]
109 Armenia 5 March 2026[13]
110 Benin 8 May 2026[13]
111 Kiribati Established, date unknown[22]
— NiueEstablished, date unknown[23]
112 TongaEstablished, date unknown[24]

Bilateral relations

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Country Notes
Argentina
  • Argentina is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Samoa has an honorary consulate in Buenos Aires.[25]
Australia
Canada
  • Canada is accredited to Samoa from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand.[28]
  • Samoa is accredited to Canada from its mission in New York City.[29]
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.[25]
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.[30][31]

  • 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.
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.

  • France has an embassy in Apia.
  • Samoa is accredited to France from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
Germany
  • 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.[25]
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.
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.[32] Japan opened an embassy in Apia on 1 January 2013.[33]

  • Japan has an embassy in Apia.
  • Samoa has an embassy in Tokyo.
Kosovo

In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo.[34]

Mexico
  • Mexico is accredited to Samoa from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Apia.[35][36]
  • 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.[37]
  • Samoa has a high commission in Wellington and a consulate-general in Auckland.[38]
South Korea

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.[39]
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 KingdomSee Samoa–United Kingdom relations
Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a Commonwealth summit in Apia, October 2024.

Samoa established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in September 1970.

  • Samoa is not accredited to the UK through an embassy; Samoa develops relations through its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.[41]
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Samoa through its high commission in Apia.[42]

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Pacific States–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement.[43]

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 and the Commonwealth of Nations

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Western Samoa joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970.[46]

Regional integration

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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.[47]

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.[48][49][50]

See also

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References

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  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. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "All Countries". Office of the Historian. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "Liste Chronologique des Ambassadeurs, Envoyés Extraordinaires, Ministres Plénipotentiaires et Chargés D'Affaires de France à L'Étranger Depuis 1945" (PDF). Diplomatie.gouv.fr (in French). p. 95. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Republic of the Philippines and Samoa celebrate 44 years of formal diplomatic relations today, June 1!". 1 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "국가/지역 검색 | 국가정보(사모아독립국)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Report for the Year ... Solomon Islands. 1981. p. 21. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  8. ↑ News Bulletin - Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thailand. Krasūang Kān-Tāng Prathēt. 1978. The Office of the Prime Minister issued an announcement on November 15 stating that the Government of Thailand and the Independent State of Western Samoa have agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level as from November 15, 1978
  9. ↑ The Europa year book : a world survey. 1979. Vol. 2. Europa Publications Limited. 1979. p. 1770.
  10. ↑ 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...
  11. ↑ "Independent State of West Samoa". vietnam.gov.vn. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Список стран, установивших дипломатические отношения..." (in Russian). Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019. Западное Самоа (14 февраля 1995 года); Республика Сан-Марино (20 сентября 2004 года); Королевство Саудовская Аравия (19 октября 1992 года)
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Diplomatic relations between Samoa and ..." United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Kosova dhe Samoa lidhin marrëdhënie diplomatike". klankosova.tv (in Albanian). 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  16. ↑ Garcia, Luis Eliezer (17 April 2018). "El Salvador establece relaciones diplomáticas con el Estado Independiente de Samoa". rree.gob.sv (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  17. ↑ "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 (in Italian). Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "Presentation of credentials – Kingdom of Norway". 8 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC" (in Spanish). 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "JAMAICA AND THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS". 29 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "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. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  22. ↑ 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 (Thesis). University of Wollongong. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  23. ↑ "Niue signs Diplomatic relations with Turkey" (PDF). Government of Niue Office of the Premier. 10 June 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "His Majesty's Government reaches out to neighbouring Samoas". 7 October 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 Honorary consulates of Samoa
  26. ↑ High Commission of Australia in Samoa
  27. ↑ Consulate-General of Samoa in Sydney
  28. ↑ High Commission of Canada in New Zealand
  29. 1 2 Samoan Permanent Mission to the United Nations
  30. ↑ "Cuban Foreign Minister Opens Cuba-Pacific Islands Meeting", Cuban News Agency, 16 September 2008
  31. ↑ "Pacific and Cuba meet to discuss co-operation". Radio New Zealand International. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  32. ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan
  33. ↑ Embassy of Japan in New Zealand web site
  34. ↑ "Samoa recognises Kosovo independence: Pristina", Agence France-Presse, 16 September 2008
  35. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in New Zealand (in English and Spanish)
  36. ↑ Overseas Honorary Consuls in Samoa
  37. ↑ "New Zealand High Commission in Samoa". Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  38. ↑ Samoan High Commission in New Zealand
  39. ↑ "Search | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea".
  40. ↑ "Relations between Turkey and Samoa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  41. ↑ "Overseas Missions". Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  42. ↑ "British High Commission Apia". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  43. ↑ Partington, Richard (14 March 2019). "UK signs post-Brexit trade deal with Fiji and Papua New Guinea". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  44. ↑ Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  45. ↑ US Embassy in Samoa
  46. ↑ "Samoa". 15 August 2013.
  47. ↑ McLean, Tamara (29 June 2011). "Samoa's dateline jump passes into law". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  48. ↑ 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.
  49. ↑ "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa". Radio New Zealand. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  50. ↑ "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed". Samoa News. Savalii. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
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