| United Kingdom | |
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The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Kingdom are implemented by the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UK was the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries.[1] Throughout history it has wielded significant influence upon other nations via the British Empire, and until the 1950s was considered a superpower. However, the cost of two World Wars and the process of decolonisation diminished this influence. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom remains a major power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a Member State of the European Union, and a founding member of the G7, G8, G20, NATO, OECD, WTO, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a legacy of the British Empire.
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British foreign relations since 1600 have focused on achieving a balance of power, with no country controlling the continent of Europe. The chief enemy, from the Hundred Years' War until the defeat of Napoleon (1337-1815) was France, a larger country with a more powerful army. The British were generally successful in their many wars, except for the victory of the American Patriots in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). A favored diplomatic strategy was subsidizing the armies of continental allies, such as Prussia. Britain relied heavily on its Royal Navy for security, seeking to keep it the most powerful fleet afloat with a full complement of bases across the globe. The British built up a very large worldwide British Empire, which peaked in size and wealth in the 1920-40 era, then began to shrink until by the 1970s almost nothing was left.[2] After 1900 Britain ended its "splendid isolation" by developing friendly relations with the United States and signing a military alliance with Japan (1902). Even more important--by forming the Triple Entente with France (1904) and Russia (1907), thus forging the anti-German alliance that fought the First World War (1914-1918). After 1940 Britain forged close military ties with the United States, and with traditional foes such as France and Germany, in the NATO military alliance. After years of debate (and rebuffs), Britain joined the Common Market in 1972; it is now the European Union.[3] However it did not merge financially, and kept the pound separate from the Euro, which kept it partly isolated from the EU financial crisis of 2011.
The UK has varied relationships with the countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations which originated from the British Empire. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the head of the Commonwealth and is head of state of 16 of its 54 member states. Those that retain the Queen as head of state are called Commonwealth Realms. Over time several countries have been suspended from the Commonwealth for various reasons. Zimbabwe was suspended because of the authoritarian rule of its President[15] and so too was Pakistan, but it has since returned. Countries which become republics are still eligible for membership of the Commonwealth so long as they are deemed democratic. Commonwealth nations such as Malaysia enjoyed no export duties in trade with the UK before the UK concentrated their economic relationship with EU member states.
The UK was once a dominant colonial power in many countries on the continent of Africa and its multinationals remain large investors in sub-Saharan Africa. Nowadays the UK, as a leading member of the Commonwealth of Nations, seeks to influence Africa through its foreign policies. Current UK disputes are with Zimbabwe over human rights violations. Tony Blair set up the Africa Commission and urged rich countries to cease demanding developing countries repay their large debts.
Australia – United Kingdom relations are close, marked by shared history, culture, institutions and language, extensive people-to-people links, aligned security interests, and vibrant trade and investment cooperation. The long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and Australia formally began in 1901 when the six British Crown colonies in Australia federated, and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed as a Dominion of the British Empire. Australia fought alongside Britain in World War I, notably at Gallipoli, and again in World War II. Andrew Fisher, Australian prime minister from 1914 to 1916, declared that Australia would defend the United Kingdom "to the last man and the last shilling." Until 1949, the United Kingdom and Australia shared a common nationality code. The final constitutional ties between United Kingdom and Australia ended in 1986 with the passing of the Australia Act 1986.
The two countries are related through common history, the Commonwealth of Nations and their sharing of the same Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II as their Monarch. As one of the first English colonies, the initial permanent European settlement took place in the early seventeenth century by English settlers. Barbados thereafter remained as a territory of the United Kingdom until it negotiated independence in 1966. In recent years, increasing numbers of British nationals have purchased secondary homes in Barbados,[16] and the islands ranked as the Caribbean regions' fourth largest export market of the United Kingdom.[17] The British High Commission was established in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1966 and there is also a Barbadian High Commission in London.
London and Ottawa enjoy cooperative and intimate contact; the two countries are related through history, the Commonwealth of Nations, and their sharing of the same Head of State and monarch.[18] Both countries fought together in both World Wars, the Korean War, and more recently cooperate in the coalition in the War in Afghanistan. Both are founding members of NATO, and also belong to the G7 (and the G8). Canada was referred to as the "linchpin of the English-speaking world", by Winston Churchill, as it connects the three anglophone countries. America, Britain, and Canada were the first countries to share the knowledge of the atom bomb together, as the three all worked on the Manhattan Project together. Despite this shared history, the two nations have grown apart economically. Britain was Canada's largest trade partner is the 19th and early 20th centuries, but is now well down the list. The two nations now find themselves in separate trade blocs, the EU for the UK and NAFTA for Canada.
The UK maintains two sovereign area military bases on the island of Cyprus. The UK is also a signatory to a treaty with Greece and Turkey concerning the independence of Cyprus, the Treaty of Guarantee, which maintains that Britain is a "guarantor power" of the island's independence.[19]
Both countries are members of the European Union.
India has a high commission in London and two consulates-general in Birmingham and Edinburgh.[20] The United Kingdom has a high commission in New Delhi and three deputy high commissions in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.[21] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Since 1947, relations between the two countries have been mostly friendly and there are many areas in which both India and the UK seek stronger ties for mutual benefit.
Despite a long history of conflict from English Tudor plantation in Ireland to the Irish War of independence, the UK presently works closely with the government of the Republic of Ireland in areas concerning the peace process in Northern Ireland as well as on many security issues. In 1949 the Irish Houses of Parliament passed the Republic of Ireland Act, making the Republic of Ireland officially fully independent; the country withdrew from the Commonwealth. Under the Ireland Act 1949 Irish citizens are treated as though they are Commonwealth citizens and not aliens for the purposes of law. Until 1998, the Republic of Ireland claimed Northern Ireland, but this was rescinded under the Belfast Agreement through an amendment of the Irish Constitution, which now states an aspiration to peaceful unity. There is an ongoing dispute that also involves Denmark and Iceland, over the status of the ocean floor surrounding Rockall. However, this is for the most part a trivial issue rarely makes it onto British-Irish meeting agendas.[13]
Both countries are members of the European Union.
The United Kingdom has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has a high commission in London. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Both the UK and Malaysia are part of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah paid a state visit to the United Kingdom in July 1974.[22] The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak paid a state visit to the United Kingdom in November 1993.[22] HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid state visits to Malaysia in October 1989, and in September 1998.[23]
In the 1950s and 1960s, serious consideration was given in both countries to the idea of a political union between the United Kingdom and Malta. However, this plan for "Integration with Britain" foundered, and Malta gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964. British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II remained Queen of Malta until the country became a Republic in 1974. There is a small Maltese community in the United Kingdom. In addition, the British overseas territory of Gibraltar has been influenced by significant 18th and 19th Century immigration from Malta (see "History of the Maltese in Gibraltar").
Both countries are members of the European Union.
Nauru was part of the British Western Pacific Territories from September 1914 and June 1921.[24] The British Government had ceased to exercise any direct role in the governance of Nauru by 1968, when the island achieved its independence. The Nauruan government maintains an Hon. Consul, Martin W I Weston. The British High Commission in Suva is responsible for the United Kingdom's bilateral relations with Nauru.[25]
Up to about the 1960s, New Zealand also had extremely close economic relations with the United Kingdom, especially considering the distance at which trade took place. As an example, in 1955, Britain took 65.3 percent of New Zealand's exports, and only during the following decades did this dominant position begin to decline as the United Kingdom oriented itself more towards the European Union, with the share of exports going to Britain having fallen to only 6.2 percent in 2000.[26] Historically, some industries, such as dairying, a major economic factor in the former colony, had even more dominant trade links, with 80-100% of all cheese and butter exports going to Britain from around 1890 to 1940.[27] This strong bond also supported the mutual feelings for each other in other areas.
Nigeria, formerly a colony, gained independence from Britain in 1960.[28]
Pakistan was a colony of Britain from 1 November 1858 to 13 August 1947 as part of the Indian Empire. Both UK and Pakistan are active members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom share Queen Elizabeth as their head of state. They have had relations since 1975 when Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia.
Singapore and the United Kingdom share a friendly relationship since Singapore became independent from the United Kingdom in 1959. Singapore retained the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal up till 1989 (fully abolished in 1994) due to political reasons.
The United Kingdom and the United States are close military allies. The two countries share cultural similarities, as well as military research and intelligence facilities. The UK has purchased military technology from the USA such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Trident nuclear missiles, and the US has purchased equipment from Britain (e.g. Harrier Jump Jet). The USA also maintains a large number of military personnel in the UK. In recent years, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States have often been close friends, for example Tony Blair and Bill Clinton and later with George W. Bush and in the 1980s the often like-minded Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Present British policy is that the relationship with the United States represents Britain's "most important bilateral relationship".[29]
The UK has had good relations with the rest of Europe since the Second World War. It became a member of the European Economic Community in 1973, which eventually evolved into the European Union through the Maastricht Treaty twenty years later.[30] Although the UK does not use the Euro and is not a member of the Eurozone,[31] it still plays a leading role in the day to day workings of the EU.
Britain has a century-long alliance with France, through the Entente Cordiale, which was reconfirmed through the November 2010 Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty – setting up a joint expeditionary force, aircraft carrier sharing and nuclear collaboration – as well as extremely close cooperation with France over the 2011 Libyan civil war and Libyan no-fly zone.
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Albania |
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| Austria |
Both countries have diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages. Austria has an embassy in London and 4 honourary consulates (in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Grand Cayman and Hamilton). The United Kingdom has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honourary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Lauterach and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. |
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| Belarus | See Foreign relations of Belarus | |
| Belgium | See Belgium – United Kingdom relations
The two countries have trading links going back to the 10th century, especially wool trade from England to the County of Flanders. |
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| Bulgaria | 1879-07 | See Bulgaria – United Kingdom relations
Bulgaria has an embassy in London, and the United Kingdom have an embassy in Sofia. Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO. |
| Croatia | See Foreign relations of Croatia | |
| Cyprus | Cyprus is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above. | |
| Czech Republic | See Czech Republic – United Kingdom relations
The Czech Republic has an embassy in London and 3 honorary consulates (in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newtownards). The United Kingdom has an embassy in Prague. HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996.[33] |
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| Denmark | See Denmark – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom has an embassy in Copenhagen and Denmark has an embassy in London. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark paid state visits to the United Kingdom in April/May 1974, and in February 2000.[34] HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid state visits to Denmark in May 1957, and in May 1979.[35] |
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| Estonia | See Foreign relations of Estonia | |
| Finland |
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| France | See France – United Kingdom relations | |
| Germany | See Anglo-German relations | |
| Greece | See Greece – United Kingdom relations
The two countries share membership of the European Union and NATO, but the issue of the Elgin Marbles removed from the Parthenon by the Earl of Elgin in 1806 and still housed in the British Museum has not been resolved. |
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| Holy See | 1982 | See Holy See – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom did not re-establish relations until 1914. Full relations were recognised in 1982 when Pope John Paul II visited the UK.[42] |
| Hungary | See Foreign relations of Hungary | |
| Iceland | See Iceland – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom has an embassy in Reykjavik. Iceland has an embassy in London and 17 honorary consulates in: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dover, East Riding of Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Fleetwood, Glasgow, Grimsby, Guernsey, Jersey (in the Channel Islands), Lerwick, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northern Ireland, and York. |
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| Ireland |
Under the Ireland Act 1949 Irish citizens are treated as though they are Commonwealth citizens and not aliens for the purposes of law. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above. |
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| Italy | See Italy – United Kingdom relations
Between 4 and 5 million British tourists visit Italy every year, while 1 million Italian tourists visit the UK.[43] There are about 19,000 British nationals living in Italy, and 150,000 Italians living in the UK.[44]
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| Kosovo | See Kosovo – United Kingdom relations
When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to officially announce recognition of sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008.[45][46] The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008.[47] Kosovo has an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. |
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| Latvia | See Foreign relations of Latvia | |
| Lithuania | 1991-10 | See Lithuania – United Kingdom relations
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| Malta |
Malta is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above. |
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| Moldova |
United Kingdom opened an Embassy in Chişinău.[51] There is no border common between Moldova and Great Britain. The number of British in Moldova and of Moldavians in the United Kingdom is insignificant. When visiting the respective country, no visa obligation exists for British nationals for stays in Moldova inferior to 90 days. Otherwise a visa is required. For Moldovan citizens visa is required for any border crossing, except for transfer passengers. |
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| Montenegro | 2006-06-13 |
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| Netherlands | See Netherlands – United Kingdom relations | |
| Poland | See Poland – United Kingdom relations
In the 1990s and 2000s democratic Poland has maintained close relations with Britain; both in defence matters and within the EU; Britain being one of only a few countries allowing equal rights to Polish workers upon their accession in 2004. |
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| Portugal | See Portugal – United Kingdom relations
The relationship dates back to the Middle Ages in 1373 with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. |
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| Romania | 1880 | See Romania – United Kingdom relations
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| Russia | See Russia – United Kingdom relations
Spanning nearly five centuries, the relationship has often switched from a state of alliance to rivalry. Presently there is a diplomatic row going on over extraditions. |
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| San Marino | See San Marino – United Kingdom relations
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| Serbia | 1837 | See Serbia – United Kingdom relations
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| Slovakia | 1993 |
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| Slovenia | See Foreign relations of Slovenia | |
| Spain | See Spain – United Kingdom relations
During the Second World War Spain remained neutral, but were perceived to be closely aligned with Nazi Germany. Following the end of the war, frosty relations continued between the two states until the end of the Franco era and the democratisation of Spain. |
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| Sweden | ||
| Switzerland | See Switzerland and the European Union | |
| Ukraine | See Ukraine – United Kingdom relations
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| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Bahrain | See Bahrain–United Kingdom relations
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| Iran | See Iran – United Kingdom relations
Iran, which was known as Persia before 1935, has had political relations with England since the late Ilkhanate period (13th century) when King Edward I of England sent Geoffrey de Langley to the Ilkhanid court to seek an alliance.[67] |
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| Iraq | See Iraq – United Kingdom relations
Sanctions against Iraq prevented any form of economic relations with the United Kingdom and any other country for thirteen years. Ties between London and Baghdad are slowly progressing, but relations between the two nations are somewhat uncertain seeing as many Iraqis remember the colonial oppression either they or their ancestors faced at the hands of the British Empire. In other words, relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Iraq are close, yet controversial. |
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| Israel | 1948 | See Israel–United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consul in Eilat.[68] Israel has an embassy and a consulate in London.[69][70] |
| Morocco | See Morocco–United Kingdom relations
According to some accounts, in the beginning of the 13th century King John of England (1167–1216) sent an embassy to the Almohad Sultan Muhammad al-Nasir (1199–1213), requesting military support and an alliance against France.[71] At home, King John was faced with a dire situation, in which his Barons revolted against him, he had been excommunicated by the Pope, and France was threatening to invade. The embassy of three was led by Bishop Roger, and King John supposedly offered to convert to Islam and pay a tribute to al-Nasir in exchange for his help. Al-Nasir apparently dismissed the proposal.[72] |
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| Oman | See Oman - United Kingdom relations
The relations between the United Kingdom and Oman are strong and strategic.[73] In April 2010 the government of Oman stated that it wanted to buy Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK.[13] The United Kingdom has an embassy in Mina al Fahal[74] and Oman has an embassy in London.[75] |
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| Palestine | See Palestine - United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom maintains a consulate in Jerusalem which handles British relations with Palestine.[13] The Foreign and Commonwealth Office states the "Consular district covers Jerusalem (West and East), the West Bank and Gaza. As well as work on the Middle East Peace Process and other political issues, the Consulate also promotes trade between the UK and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and manages an extensive programme of aid and development work. The latter is undertaken primarily by the DFID office in Jerusalem.".[13] The Palestinian Authority is represented in London by Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom.[13] |
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| Saudi Arabia | See United Kingdom - Saudi Arabia relations
The UK has an embassy in Riyadh, consulate in Jeddah and trade office in Al Khobar.[76] Saudi Arabia has an embassy and consulate in London.[77] |
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| Sudan | See Sudan – United Kingdom relations
Sudan has an embassy in London whilst the United Kingdom has an embassy in Khartoum. |
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| Turkey | See Turkey – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom is the second biggest importer of goods from Turkey, after Germany. Turkey exports around 8% of its total goods to the United Kingdom.[78] Around 1,000,000 Britons take holidays in Turkey every year, while 100,000 Turks travel to the UK for business or pleasure.[79] The United Kingdom does not recognise the TRNC. The TRNC is only recognised by Turkey. The UK is also a signatory to a treaty with Greece and Turkey concerning the independence of Cyprus, the Treaty of Guarantee, which maintains that Britain is a "guarantor power" of the island's independence.[80] |
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Argentina | 1823-12-15 |
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| Chile | 1844 | See Chile – United Kingdom relations
The UK played an important role in Chile's history. The British Admiral Lord Cochrane was the Chilean Navy's first commander who fought in the Chilean War of Independence. Britain also once played an important role in investments and diplomacy in Chile and South America as a whole but this latter declined with the disintegration of the British Empire. The importance of British settlers and investors can even be seen on the coat of arms of the city of Coquimbo which features the Union Jack. Chile provided some assistance to Britain during the Falklands War since it was itself at risk of possible war with Argentina regarding the boundary between the two nations in the Beagle Channel.
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| Mexico | See Mexico – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom was the first country in Europe to recognize Mexico's Independence.[83] The relationship between the two nations began after the Pastry War were the United Kingdom aided Mexico against France. Also, relations improved when Mexico joined the British alongside with the allies to fight the Japanese forces in the Pacific War. Currently, Mexico has an embassy in London. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Mexico City and a consulate in Monterrey. |
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| Paraguay | 1853-03-04 | See Paraguay – United Kingdom relations
Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on 4 March 1853, with the signing of a treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation. The United Kingdom is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and an honorary consulate in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in London.[84] |
| Uruguay | 1825 | See United Kingdom – Uruguay relations
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| Panama | 1904 | See United Kingdom – Panama relations
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| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Armenia | 1991-12-31 | See Armenia – United Kingdom relations
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| Azerbaijan | See Azerbaijan – United Kingdom relations
Azerbaijan has an embassy in London. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). |
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| Indonesia | 1949 | See Indonesia - United Kingdom relations |
| Japan | 1854 | See Japan – United Kingdom relations
Contact began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams (Adams the Pilot, Miura Anjin) on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture. During the Sakoku period (1641–1853) there were no relations, but the treaty of 1854 saw the resumption of ties which, despite the hiatus of the Second World War, remain very strong in the present day. |
| Kazakhstan | 1992-01-19 | See Kazakhstan – United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom opened an embassy in Kazakhstan in October 1992 and Kazakhstan opened an embassy in Britain in February 1996.[90] Kazakhstan's relations with the West have greatly improved in the last few years as the Government has closely cooperated in the United States-led War on Terror. See also: Counter-terrorism in Kazakhstan Britain is the third-largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan with British companies making up 14% of foreign direct investment. Over 100 British companies do business in Kazakhstan.[91] |
| People's Republic of China | See People's Republic of China-United Kingdom relations
Although on opposing sides of the Cold War, both countries were allies during World War II, and are members of the UN. But because of the Cold War, First and Second Opium War, and the status of Hong Kong, and other issues, China-UK relations at some points in history have been complicated, but better at other times. |
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| Thailand | 1826-02-24 | See Foreign relations of Thailand — United Kingdom
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The United Kingdom is a member of the following international organisations[94]:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, Commonwealth of Nations, CBSS (observer), CDB, Council of Europe, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, European Union, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G7, G8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (also known as the World Bank), ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, Zangger Committee
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