Foreign relations of Solomon Islands
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Politics of Solomon Islands
The foreign policy of Solomon Islands Template:As of was described by the Solomon Islands government as a "look north" policy, aimed as strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Asian countries for development purposes.<ref>"Rethink for Solomons diplomatic missions" Template:Webarchive, ABC Radio Australia, 9 September 2008</ref>
Diplomatic representation
Countries with diplomatic missions in Solomon Islands are Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The U.S. ambassador resident in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is also accredited to Solomon Islands. Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, Sweden and Malaysia have Honorary Consuls.
Solomon Islands has diplomatic missions in Canberra, Papua New Guinea, at the United Nations in New York, where the ambassador there is also accredited as its ambassador to the United States of America, UNESCO in Paris and high commissioner to Canada and at the European Commission in Brussels where the representative is also accredited as High Commissioner to the UK.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which the Solomon Islands maintains diplomatic relations with:
Bilateral relations
Current
| Country | Notes |
|---|---|
| Template:Flag | See Australia–Solomon Islands relations
Australia became the first country to establish diplomatic relations after the Solomon Islands became independent on 7 July 1978. Australia is the Solomon Islands' largest developmental partner and a key trading partner. Following the outbreak of conflict between the Guadalcanal and Malaitan peoples in 1998, Australia led a multinational peacekeeping and developmental assistance force known as RAMSI, which operated in the Solomons between 2003 and 2017.<ref name="DFAT country brief">Template:Cite web</ref> Australia is also a key security partner, signing a bilateral security treaty with the Solomons in mid August 2017.<ref name="DFAT country brief" /> The two countries experienced several bilateral disagreements including the Julian Moti affair in 2006-2007 and a 2022 Chinese-Solomon Islands security pact.<ref name="Nautilus">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See China–Solomon Islands relations
On 16 September 2019, after bribing government officials,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Solomon Islands parliament voted to end diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and to recognise China (PRC). Taiwan subsequently closed its embassy in Honiara on 17 September 2019. The new arrangement with PRC remained to be ratified on 19 September but is expected to proceed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this move, a provincial leader had offered to lease the island of Tulagi to China in a deal that the attorney general found to be illegal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In late March 2022, the Solomon Islands Government confirmed that it was drafting a security pact with China that would allow the deployment of Chinese military and security forces in the country, naval deployments, and the establishment of a military base. This acknowledgement came after a draft of the security agreement was leaked online. In response, the Australian and New Zealand Governments expressed concerns that the establishment of a Chinese military presence in Solomon Islands would have serious implications for peace and security in the Pacific region.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In response, the Chinese Government defended law enforcement and bilateral cooperation with Solomon Islands and disputed Australian criticism that Beijing was coercing Solomon Islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See Cuba–Solomon Islands relations
In the late 2000s, Solomon Islands began to strengthen their relations with Cuba. In April 2007, the Solomon Star reported that Solomon Islands' high commissioner to the United Nations was soon to be sworn in as ambassador to Cuba.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2007, it was announced that 40 Cuban doctors would be sent to Solomon Islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Solomons’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Patterson Oti said that Solomon Islander doctors would "learn from their Cuban colleagues in specialised areas".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In addition to providing doctors, Cuba provided scholarships for 50 Solomon Islanders to study medicine in Cuba for free.<ref name="RNZI_38300">Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2008, Solomon Islands' foreign minister William Haomae attended the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana, aimed at "strengthening cooperation", notably in coping with the impact of climate change.<ref>"Cuba-Pacific ministerial meeting underway in Havana", ABC Radio Australia, 17 September 2008</ref> In July 2014, Solomon Islands prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo opened Solomon Islands embassy in Havana, thus becoming the first Pacific Island country to have an embassy and resident ambassador in Cuba.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
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| Template:Flag | See Fiji–Solomon Islands relations
In August 2008, it was announced that Solomon Islands intended to open a High Commission in Suva,<ref>"Solomons considers High Commission in Suva" Template:Webarchive, Radio Australia, 14 August 2008</ref> and in December the government of Fiji announced that it had "formally endorsed the establishment of a Resident Diplomatic Mission in Suva by the Government of Solomon Islands".<ref>"Cabinet approves Establishment of a Resident Mission of Solomon Islands in Suva" Template:Webarchive, Fiji government website, 2 December 2008</ref> Fiji's High Commission to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Solomon Islands. |
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| Template:Flag | See India–Solomon Islands relations
Diplomatic relations between India and Solomon Islands were established in May 1987. |
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Diplomatic relations between Japan and Solomon Islands were established on 7 July 1978, the date the Solomon Islands became independent. Japan maintains an embassy at Honiara.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See Malaysia–Solomon Islands relations
Malaysia has an honorary consul in Solomon Islands while Malaysia high commission in Port Moresby also accredited to the country,<ref name="tr">Template:Cite web</ref> and Solomon Islands has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.<ref name="ms">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="relations">Template:Cite web</ref> |
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| Template:Flag | See New Zealand–Solomon Islands relations
The Solomon Islands and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1978.<ref name="Solomons High Com NZ" /> New Zealand is represented in Solomon Islands by its High Commission in Honiara.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Solomon Islands is represented in New Zealand by its High Commission in Wellington.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
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Solomon Islands and Pakistan established foreign relations in February 2016, when high commissioner designate Naela Chohan, Pakistan's ambassador resident in Canberra, arrived in Honiara to sign an accord with minister for foreign affairs Milner Tozaka for the formal establishment of diplomatic ties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A Joint Communique issued by the two senior officials remarked upon numerous areas of cooperation, including education, and policing, as well as bilateral trade ties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
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Relations between the current governments of Prime Minister Derek Sikua (Solomon Islands) and prime minister Michael Somare (Papua New Guinea) are, Template:As of, cordial.<ref>"Sikua Government Values Diplomatic Relations" Template:Webarchive, Joanna Sireheti, Solomon Times, 23 January 2008</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See Solomon Islands–South Korea relations
Solomon Islands and the Republic of Korea have established diplomatic relations on September 15, 1978.
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Solomon Islands and Switzerland established formal diplomatic relations on 20 December 2007, when representatives of both nations signed a joint communiqué in Canberra.<ref name="sit">Template:Cite news</ref> Beraki Jino, High Commissioner of Solomon Islands to Australia, and Christian Muhlethaler, Ambassador of Switzerland to Australia, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.<ref name="sit" /> |
| Template:Flag | See Solomon Islands–Turkey relations
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Ukraine is represented in Solomon Islands by its embassy in Canberra, Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See Solomon Islands–United Kingdom relations
The Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 7 July 1978.<ref name="britain"/> Both countries are Commonwealth Realms.
The UK governed the Solomon Islands from 1893 until 1978, when the Solomon Islands achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Pacific States–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The British Solomon Islands Protectorate was one of the last areas of the British Empire to gain independence. The official name was changed from British Solomon Islands Protectorate to Solomon Islands in 1975. Self-government was granted in 1976 also under that name. On achieving full independence as a sovereign state in 1978, the two countries immediately established diplomatic relations. King Charles III is, severally, the head of state of both the United Kingdom and Solomon Islands. Although the two offices are vested in the same person, he exercises his role as King of Solomon Islands independently of his role as the King of the United Kingdom, consequently, the United Kingdom itself has no jurisdiction in Solomon Islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both the United Kingdom and Solomon Islands are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and participate in events such as the Commonwealth Games. Bilateral relations with the UK remain strong. The UK's bilateral aid programme in Solomon Islands ended in early 2004 when the UK's regional aid programme came to a close. However, UK funding through the EU, the largest multilateral donor to Solomon Islands, will continue. The UK contributes almost 15% of the EU development budget in Solomon Islands. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office assistance to Solomon Islands is focused on security sector reform, good governance, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Among the activities supported in the last two years are: education on HIV/AIDS, rural clinics, collective farming and empowerment of women. Sir Nathaniel Waena, the Governor-General of Solomon Islands, visited the UK in 2006 to celebrate the Queen's 80th Birthday. Assistance is also provided through the Commonwealth of Nations, whose budget is supported by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is one of only six countries to maintain a resident ambassador in Honiara, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Solomon Islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The current High Commissioner, since 2016, is David Ward.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The British High Commission in Honiara represents British interests in the country and assists British citizens resident in, or visiting the country. The High Commission also funds local projects and assists in scholarships in the United Kingdom for Solomon Islands citizens. Solomon Islands is represented in the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, by the Solomon Islands Ambassador, who is also accredited as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. |
| Template:Flag | See Solomon Islands–United States relations
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In October 2008, Solomon Islands prime minister Derek Sikua moved to establish economic relations with Venezuela, hoping to benefit from comparatively cheap Venezuelan oil. In a rare display of bipartisanship, Solomons Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare praised his political rival for this move, stating that -in the context of the 2008 financial crisis, it would bring down the price of oil for Solomon Islanders, and boost the economy if the Solomons imported crude Venezuelan oil, refined it and then exported it to neighbouring countries.<ref>"L’opposition fait l’éloge du gouvernement des Salomon" Template:Webarchive, ABC Radio Australia, 14 October 2008</ref> |
Former bilateral relations
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Formal Relations Ended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 28 April 2015 | 28 November 2018 | Solomon Islands recognized Kosovo as an independent state on 13 August 2014, and established diplomatic relations with Kosovo on 28 April 2015. However, it withdrew its decision to recognize Kosovo as an independent state on 28 November 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 24 March 1983 | 14 September 2019 | Solomon Islands maintained diplomatic relations with Republic of China (Taiwan) from 24 March 1983 with resident diplomatic missions in both respective capitals. In April 2017, Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga visited Taiwan and met with President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. Both of them discussed exchanges and future cooperation between the two sides.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, on 14 September 2019, the Solomon Islands parliament voted to recognize the People's Republic of China instead of the Republic of China. The Republic of China in response cut all ties to the Pacific nation, closing its embassy in Honiara on 17 September 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 21 September 2019 Solomon Islands and the People's Republic of China issued a joint communiqué establishing relations. An exchange of ambassadors on both sides is yet to be made.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Main multilateral involvement
Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations, UNESCO, the Commonwealth, South Pacific Commission, Pacific Islands Forum, International Monetary Fund, and the European Economic Community/African, Caribbean, Pacific Group (EEC/ACP)/(Lomé Convention).
International organisation participation
ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, Commonwealth of Nations, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, United Nations, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
See also
- List of ambassadors of the Solomon Islands to China
- List of ambassadors of the Solomon Islands to Taiwan
- List of high commissioners of the United Kingdom to the Solomon Islands
- List of ambassadors of the Solomon Islands to the United States
- List of diplomatic missions in Solomon Islands
- List of diplomatic missions of Solomon Islands
- Minister of Foreign Affairs (Solomon Islands)
References
External links
- Solomon Islands Establish Diplomatic Relations with Switzerland
- "Foreign Policy Should be Driven by Rational Dialogue", Solomon Times, 22 April 2008
Template:Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations Template:Foreign relations of Solomon Islands Template:Foreign relations of Oceania Template:Solomon Islands topics