Foreign relations of Paraguay

Paraguay
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Paraguay

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 2013 is José Félix Fernández Estigarribia [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.

Latin America

 Argentina

 Bolivia

In 2009 Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which had 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" [4] Relations, as with many countries in the area, have had increased tension since the Paraguay impeachment in 2012.

 Brazil

Border of Brazil and Paraguay

See Paraguay–Brazil relations 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 Inácio Lula da Silva called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.[5]

 Chile

See Foreign relations of Chile

 Colombia

See Foreign relations of Colombia

 Guyana

 Mexico

Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1881.

 Peru

 Uruguay

 Venezuela

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 million 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.[15]

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia1992-06-02

Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 2. 1992.[16]

 Bulgaria1992-12-02 See Bulgaria–Paraguay relations
 Denmark
  • Paraguay is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[17]
  • Denmark is represented in Paraguay, through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[18]
  • Denmark also has an honorary consulate in Asunción.
 France1853
 GermanySee Foreign relations of Germany
 ItalySee Foreign relations of Italy
 RussiaSee Paraguay–Russia relations
 Serbia1950

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1950.[23]

 Spain10 September 1880See Paraguay–Spain relations
 Ukraine1993-02-26
 United Kingdom1853-03-04See Paraguay – United Kingdom relations

Rest of world

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 AustraliaSee Australia–Paraguay relations

Australia's positive relations with Paraguay are growing. In 2011, Paraguay opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia opened a consulate in Asunción. As agricultural producers and exporters, they work together to achieve fairer international trade in agricultural products through membership of the Cairns Group and cooperation in other multilateral fora. Australia is also increasing its engagement with Paraguay through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. An increasing number of Paraguayan students are pursuing their education at Australian institutions.[27]

 Republic of China See Republic of China – Paraguay relations

Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China as the legitimate government of China.

 Egypt
 India1961-09-13 See India–Paraguay relations
 Pakistan

Paraguay wants to strengthen economic, commercial and cultural relations with Pakistan as there is tremendous potential exists between both the countries in many sectors. Paraguay is rich in the field of wheat, animal feed, and oilseeds and wood. Pakistan has good expertise in this sector and both countries could benefit if investors turn to cotton in Paraguay. Paraguay has sought trade, art, sports, relations with Pakistan and that the country has many things common with Pakistan.

 SADR2000-02-09

Paraguay recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

 South Africa
 South Korea1962-06-15[34]See Paraguay – South Korea relations
 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.[38][39]

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.[40]

International organizations

Paraguay is a member of the following international organizations:[41]

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Spanish only)". Mre.gov.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  2. ↑ http://ccest.cancilleria.gov.ar/
  3. ↑ "Argentine embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only)". Embajada-argentina.org.py. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  4. ↑ "Bolivia and Paraguay agree border". BBC News. April 28, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Brazil and Paraguay in power deal". BBC News. July 25, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Asuncion (in Spanish)
  8. ↑ http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy24356/
  9. ↑ Embassy of Paraguay in Mexico City (in Spanish)
  10. ↑ "Paraguayan embassy in Lima (in Spanish only)". Mre.gov.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  11. ↑ "Peruvian embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only)". Embperu.com.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  12. ↑ http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy24371/
  13. ↑ "Paraguayan embassy in Montevideo (in Spanish only)". Geocities.com. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  14. ↑ Uruguayan embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only)
  15. ↑ Archived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Embassy of Paraguay in Denmark". VisaHQm. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  18. ↑ Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ French embassy in Asuncion (in French and Spanish only)
  20. ↑ http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy12960/
  21. ↑ "Paraguayan embassy in Moscow". Embapar.ru. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  22. ↑ "Russia declares its intention to open a resident embassy in Asuncion". En.rian.ru. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  23. ↑
  24. ↑ Embassy of Paraguay in Madrid (in Spanish)
  25. ↑ Embassy of Spain in Asuncion (in Spanish)
  26. ↑ "Paraguayan embassy in London". Paraguayembassy.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  27. ↑ http://dfat.gov.au/geo/paraguay/paraguay_brief.html
  28. ↑ "Embapar Egipto". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  29. 1 2 "Embajadas" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  30. ↑ "Embajada India". Mre.gov.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  31. ↑ "General South African History Timeline". Sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  32. ↑ "South Africa security cloaks Paraguay leader's state visit (Christian Science Monitor)". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1974-04-10. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  33. ↑ "Ex-Paraguay ruler buried in exile (BBC)". BBC News. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  34. ↑ http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/latinamerica/countries/20070803/1_24588.jsp?menu=m_30_30
  35. ↑ "Paraguayan embassy in Seoul". Embaparcorea.org. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  36. ↑ "Korean embassy in Asuncion (in Korean and Spanish only)". Pry.mofat.go.kr. 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  37. ↑ 《재외동포현황》 [Current Status of Overseas Compatriots], South Korea: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2009, archived from the original on 2010-10-23, retrieved 2009-05-21
  38. ↑ "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations". International Relations Center. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. Retrieved April 2006. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  39. ↑ US Marines put a foot in Paraguay, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (in Spanish)
  40. ↑ "Paraguay cancels US troops deal - Americas". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  41. ↑ "CIA World Factbook - Paraguay". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
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