| Paraguay |
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Other countries · Atlas |
Paraguayan foreign policy has concentrated on maintaining good relations with its neighbors, and it has been an active proponent of regional co-operation. It is a member of the United Nations and has served one term in the UN Security Council in 1967-1969 . It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. It also belongs to the Organization of American States, the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the Rio Group, INTERPOL, MERCOSUR (the Southern Cone Common Market) and UNASUR
At the political level, diplomatic affairs and international relations of Paraguay are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which answers to the executive branch of the government. The current Minister of Foreign Relations as of 2011 is Don Hector Zaragoza [1]
Unlike any other country in South America, Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China instead of the People's Republic of China. Although not a particularly large country in absolute terms, Paraguay presently is the largest country maintaining official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.
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In 2009 Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayuan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which led to the Chaco War in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries" [3]
Paraguay–Brazil relations have improved greatly after Brazilian President Lula's decision in 2009 to triple its payments to Paraguay for energy from a massive hydro-electric dam on their border, ending a long-running dispute. Under the accord, Brazil will pay Paraguay $360m a year for energy from the jointly-operated Itaipu plant. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.[4]
See Foreign relations of Chile
See Foreign relations of Colombia
Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1881. Mexico has an embassy in Asuncion.[5] Paraguay has an embassy in Mexico City and an honorary consulate in Guadalajara.[6]
Both countries are full members of the Rio Group, of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, of the Organization of American States and of the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Relations between Paraguay and Venezuela have improved since Paraguay's new leftist President Fernando Lugo was inaugurated, a change from 61 unbroken years of Colorado party rule. President Lugo has supported Venezuela's entry into Mercosur however the Colorado Party's influence in Paraguay's Congress and Senate retards this expansion.
Paraguay and Venezuela have restarted negotiations on an unpaid debt of $250 owed by Paraguayan oil company Petropar to its counterpart Petróleos de Venezuela after the Presidents of Paraguay and Venezuela met to deal with the financing.[11]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Bulgaria | 1992-12-02 | See Bulgaria–Paraguay relations
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| Denmark | ||
| France | See Foreign relations of France | |
| Germany | See Foreign relations of Germany | |
| Italy | See Foreign relations of Italy | |
| Russia | See Paraguay–Russia relations
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| Spain | See Paraguay–Spain relations
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| Ukraine | 1993-02-26 | See Paraguay–Ukraine relations
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| United Kingdom | 1853-03-04 | See Paraguay – United Kingdom relations
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| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | See Foreign relations of Canada | |
| India | 1961-09-13 | |
| Egypt | ||
| Japan | See Foreign relations of Japan | |
| Republic of China | See Republic of China – Paraguay relations
Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China on Taiwan instead of the People's Republic of China. |
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| SADR | 2000-02-09 |
Paraguay recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. |
| South Africa |
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| South Korea | 1962-06-15 |
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| United States | See Paraguay – United States relations
A military training agreement with Asunción, giving immunity to US soldiers, caused some concern after media reports initially reported that a base housing 20,000 US soldiers was being built at Mariscal Estigarribia within 200 km of Argentina and Bolivia, and 300 km of Brazil, near an airport which could receive large planes (B-52, C-130 Hercules, etc.) which the Paraguan Air Forces do not have.[31][32] In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects after stating that he no longer thinks that hosting troops taking part in the US department of defence’s "New Horizons" programme was worthwhile. President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision.[33] |
Paraguay is a member of the following international organizations[34]:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (also known as the World Bank), ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Rio Group, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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