Foreign relations of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea's foreign policy reflects close ties with Australia and other traditional allies and cooperative relations with neighboring countries. Its views on international political and economic issues are generally moderate. Papua New Guinea has diplomatic relations with 56 countries.

APEC 2018 in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea belongs to a variety of regional organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) (Papua New Guinea is an observer member of the ASEAN); the South Pacific Commission; the Pacific Islands Forum; the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program (SPREP).

Relations by country

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina	1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.[1]
Australia	1975	See Australia–Papua New Guinea relations Relations with Australia were strained in 2006 when Prime Minister Michael Somare was accused of having facilitated Julian Moti's escape to the Solomon Islands.[2] Moti was wanted in Australia for serious alleged child sex offences. In retaliation, the Australian government banned Somare from entering Australia; all talks between Canberra and Port Moresby were suspended. In September 2007, relations began to thaw,[3] and in December 2007, the new Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, met Sir Michael in Bali. Rudd announced what appears to be a normalisation of relations: "This relationship has been through a very difficult period in recent times. There has in effect been a freeze on ministerial contact between the two governments. I do not believe that's an appropriate way for the future."[4] Australia has a high commission in Port Moresby and a consulate-general in Lae.[5] Papua New Guinea has a high commission in Canberra and consulates-general in Brisbane and Sydney.[6]
Canada	16 September 1975	Canada is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its high commission in Canberra, Australia.[7] Papua New Guinea is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[8]
China		See China–Papua New Guinea relations The Independent State of Papua New Guinea and the People's Republic of China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 1976, soon after Papua New Guinea became independent. The two countries currently maintain diplomatic, economic and, to a lesser degree, military relations. Relations are cordial; China is a significant provider of both investments and development aid to Papua New Guinea.
Cuba		In the late 2000s, Papua New Guinea began to strengthen its relations with Cuba. Cuba provides medical aid to the country.[9] In September 2008, a PNG government representative attended the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana, aimed at "strengthening cooperation" between Cuba and Pacific Island countries, notably in coping with the effects of climate change.[10]
Cyprus		Cyprus is represented in Papua New Guinea through its high commission in Canberra, Australia.[11] Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
Fiji	1976	As of November 2005, relations with Pacific neighbor Fiji have been strained by revelations that a number of Fijian mercenaries have been operating illegally on the island of Bougainville, arming and training a rebel militia.
France		See France–Papua New Guinea relations Official diplomatic relations were established in 1976. Papua New Guinea is a member of the United Nations' Special Committee on Decolonization. The French government has noted what it calls Port Moresby's "moderate" attitude on the issue of the decolonisation of New Caledonia - which, like Papua New Guinea, is located in Melanesia.[12] The French National Assembly maintains a Friendship Group with Papua New Guinea.
Germany		Germany is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. Papua New Guinea is accredited to Germany from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
India		See India-Papua New Guinea Relations India has a High Commission in Port Moresby.[13] Papua New Guinea maintains a High Commission in New Delhi.[14]
Indonesia		See Indonesia–Papua New Guinea relations Western New Guinea (which consists of two Indonesian provinces: Papua and West Papua) and Papua New Guinea share a 760-kilometre (470 mi) border that has raised tensions and ongoing diplomatic issues over many decades.[15] Indonesia is represented in Papua New Guinea with an embassy in Port Moresby and a consulate in Vanimo. Reciprocally, Papua New Guinea has an Ambassador in Jakarta and a Consul-General in Jayapura.
Israel	1978	Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1978.[16]
Japan	16 September 1975	Diplomatic relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea were established on 16 September 1975, the date Papua-New Guinea became independent. Japan maintains an embassy at Port Moresby. Papua-New Guinea is currently the largest recipient of Japanese foreign aid in the Pacific. Ministerial level visits are frequent between the two countries.[17] Reciprocally, Papua New Guinea has an embassy in Tokyo.
Malta		Both countries have diplomatic relations.[18] Both countries a full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
Mexico	19 May 1976	See Mexico–Papua New Guinea relations Mexico is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.[19] Papua New Guinea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[8]
New Zealand	1975	See New Zealand–Papua New Guinea relations New Zealand has a high commission in Port Moresby.[20] Papua New Guinea has a high commission in Wellington.[21]
Nepal	2013	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 April 2013.[22]
Philippines		In March 2009, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would enhance the cooperation between the two countries on the development of fisheries. The MoU will facilitate technology transfer in aquaculture development, promotion of shipping ventures, investments, technical training, joint research, and "strategic complementation" of each country's plans in the "Coral Triangle" – or the waters between the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands.[23] In the same year, Papua New Guinea asked the Philippines for help in its pursuit of membership to ASEAN.[24][25]
Romania	1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 May 1976.[26]
Serbia	1976	Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1976.[27]
South Korea	May 1976	Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Papua New Guinea were established in May 1976.[28]
Spain		See Papua New Guinea–Spain relations Papua New Guinea is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium. Spain is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
Switzerland	1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.[29]
Turkey	30 May 1979[30]	Papua New Guinea has an Honorary Consulate in Istanbul.[30] Turkish ambassador in Canberra to Australia is also accredited to Papua New Guinea.[30]
United Kingdom	1975	See Papua New Guinea–United Kingdom relations Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom share Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. They have had relations since 1975 when Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia. Papua New Guinea has a high commission in London.[31] United Kingdom has a high commission in Port Moresby.[32]
United States	1975	See Papua New Guinea–United States relations The U.S. and Papua New Guinea are signatories to the U.S.-Pacific Islands Multilateral Tuna Fisheries Treaty, under which the U.S. grants $63 million per year to Pacific Island parties and the latter provide access for U.S. fishing vessels. The U.S. also supports Papua New Guinea's efforts to protect biodiversity; the International Coral Reef Initiative is aimed at protecting reefs in tropical nations such as Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has an embassy in Washington, D.C..[8] United States has an embassy in Port Moresby.[33]
Vietnam	1989	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1989.[34][35]

Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth of Nations

Papua New Guinea has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations since 1975, when it gained independence from Australia.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Papua New Guinea
• List of diplomatic missions of Papua New Guinea
• Category: Treaties of Papua New Guinea

References

1. "Zuaín encabezó primera visita oficial a Papúa Nueva Guinea y estrecha relaciones con miembro Comité Descolonización. Gran interés por el desarrollo económico con inclusión social argentino | Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto" (in Spanish). Cancilleria.gob.ar. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
2. "PNG report says PM Somare should be charged over Moti escape". Radio New Zealand International. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
3. "A bit of warmth returns". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 September 2007.
4. Nicholson, Brendan; Forbes, Mark (14 December 2007). "Solomons sacking ends chill". The Age. Melbourne.
5. Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Australian High Commission in". png.embassy.gov.au. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
6. "Welcome to High Commission of PNG, Canberra". www.pngcanberra.org. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
7. Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada. "The High Commission of Canada in Australia". GAC. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
8. "Embassy of Papua New Guinea to the Americas, Washington, DC". www.pngembassy.org. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
9. "Cuban Physicians to Aid 81 Nations". Cuba: Prensa Latina. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2008. Havana, March 29 (Prensa Latina) Cuban doctors will travel to 81 nations to work as physicians in 2008, the director of the Central Unity of Cooperation of the Ministry of Public Health of the island Alberto Gonzalez emphasized. ... In that geographic region, he indicated, several Cuban medical brigades will be welcomed in the course of this year, fundamentally in Vanuatu, Tubalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea, as in Laos, Congo and Benin. Alt URL
10. "Cuba-Pacific ministerial meeting underway in Havana", ABC Radio Australia, 17 September 2008
11. "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Bilateral Relations". www.mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
12. "UN calls on France to give Caledonians chance of having independence". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 March 1987. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
13. Indian High Commission in Papua New Guinea Archived 16 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
14. Papua New Guinea High Commission in India Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutTheMinistry/Pages/Israel-s%20Diplomatic%20Missions%20Abroad.aspx
17. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan Archived 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
18. "Sorry. The page you are looking for does not exist". foreignaffairs.gov.mt. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
19. "Embassy of Mexico in Australia". Embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
20. High Commission of New Zealand in Port Moresby
21. High Commission of Papua New Guinea in Wellington
22. "List of Nepal's Diplomatic Relations - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA". Retrieved 29 December 2018.
23. "RP, Papua New Guinea sign MoU on fisheries". Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippines and Papua New Guinea entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would enhance the cooperation between the two countries on the development of fisheries, Malacañang said. ...The MoU will facilitate technology transfer in aquaculture development, promotion of shipping ventures, investments, technical training, joint research, and ?strategic complementation? of each country?s plans in the ?Coral Triangle? ? or the waters between the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands, according to a statement released by Malacañang.
24. Papua New Guinea asks RP support for Asean membership bid Archived 22 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 8 July 2009
25. Somare seeks PGMA's support for PNG's ASEAN membership bid Archived 6 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 8 July 2009
26. "Diplomatic Relations of Romania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mae.ro. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
27. "Papua New Guinea". www.mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
28. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
29. "Bilateral relations Switzerland–Papua-New Guinea". www.fdfa.admin.ch. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
30. "Relations between Turkey and Papua New Guinea". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
31. "Papua New Guinea High Commission, London :: Home". www.pnghighcomm.org.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
32. Lot 1, Sec 411; Times, Opening. "British High Commission Port Moresby - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
33. "U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea". U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
34. admin. "- General Information about Countries and Regions". www.mofa.gov.vn. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
35. "- Vietnam - Papua New Guinea Relations". www.mofa.gov.vn. Retrieved 29 December 2018.