Foreign relations of Nauru
Encyclopedia
Nauru
, following independence from the United Kingdom
, became a sovereign, independent republic on 31 January 1968. Nauru has established diplomatic relations with a number of nations, including most of its Pacific neighbors with which it maintains economic, cultural and administrative ties with its regionally.
on 14 September 1999. Nauru's application to the United Nations
was questioned by the People’s Republic of China due to Nauru's close diplomatic and trade links to Taiwan. Nevertheless, Nauru was granted UN full membership.
Nauru became a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations
in May 1999. Since independence, Nauru had been a special member
of the Commonwealth prior to 1999, but having fallen behind in payments, reverted back to Special Member Status on 1 July 2005, with no authoritative power. It then returned to be a full member again on June 2011.
Additionally outside the region, Nauru is a member or participant of the ACP (Lomé Convention), the Alliance of Small Island States
, the Asian Development Bank
, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), the G-77
, the International Civil Aviation Organization
, the International Olympic Committee
, the ITU
, the NAM
, the World Meteorological Organization
and the World Trade Organization
.
Nauru is notable for its lack of membership in several major international organizations. For example, Nauru is one of only four UN-recognized nations with a sea border that is not a member of the International Maritime Organization
(the others are the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue and Palau). Similarly, the Nauru is one of only seven UN members that is not a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
, one of 8 not part of the International Monetary Fund
, one of 12 UN not part of the International Finance Corporation
. Nauru also is not a member of the International Development Association
and has no society associated with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
. Finally, as with many other nations in Oceania, Nauru is not a member of Interpol
or of the International Hydrographic Organization
.
, the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
.
s, mostly Afghan, who were intercepted while attempting to enter Australia
illegally. This exchange was one of many which were collectively known as Australia's Pacific Solution
. In February 2008, the last of the refugees were resettled in Australia. Nauru reportedly received about $10 million in assistance from Australia in exchange for agreeing to house the refugees while their asylum applications are adjudicated.
of Nauru signed a joint communiqué in Hong Kong
to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China
. In the document, the Government of the Republic of Nauru recognised that, "...that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory." The declaration also contained an undertaking by Nauru to close its embassy in Taipei within one month, which was curious because Nauru had never had a diplomatic mission in Taiwan. This move followed the PRC's promise to provide more than $130 million USD
in aid.
That same day, the Republic of China
government issued an ultimatum, demanding that the communiqué be withdrawn within 24 hours or it would take the initiative and sever ties. There was much dissension within the Nauruan government over the move by Harris, which the prime minister was alleged to have made on his own initiative. In the confusion, the Nauru government did not respond to the ultimatum, which was extended an additional 24 hours, and the ROC followed through with its threat, breaking ties that had existed since 1980 on 23 July 2002. In 2003, Nauru closed its embassy in Beijing, prompting speculation of an imminent resumption of ties with the ROC.
In April 2005, during a state visit to the Marshall Islands, ROC President Chen Shui-bian
met and spoke with the Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty
. On 14 May 2005, the two countries signed the necessary documents to restore formal ties and reopen embassies. The People's Republic of China
consequently severed ties two weeks later on 31 May.
; the government of Bernard Dowiyogo
agreed to stop passport sales and offshore banking in return for an extensive aid package. However, that aid has not been delivered and Nauru's formal and traditional leaders are now looking to Japan
and China for assistance. According to the U.S. Department of State, Nauru has cordial relations with the United States
The U.S. has no consular or diplomatic offices in Nauru. Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently accredited to Nauru and make periodic visits.
In September 2007, David Adeang
, Nauru
's Foreign Minister, made a number of public statements in relation to the United States
. He extolled Cuba and criticized US foreign policy, during a visit to the Caribbean island. Subsequently, the US Department of State, referring to events investigated in 2007, reported criticism of Adeang in its Human Rights Report, issued for 2008. This criticism was included in the State Department's report, despite the fact that police, having undertaken an investigation of allegations of wrongdoing, made no attempt to prosecute Adeang. Shortly after Adeang's public pronouncements, a crisis, with himself at the centre, led to the collapse of President of Nauru
Ludwig Scotty
's government.
Trade between the United States and Nauru is limited by the latter's small size and economic problems. The value of two-way trade in 2005 was US$1.6 million.
by 1968.
. Cuba provides medical aid to Nauru; an unspecified number of Cuban doctors are serving in Nauru.
In June 2007, Nauru adopted the "Cuban literacy method", reportedly used also in several other countries. In October 2007, Nauruan Foreign Minister and Trade Minister David Adeang
travelled to Cuba to strengthen relations between the two island nations. This led to the creation of a Cuba-Nauru Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation. At approximately this time, Nauru-US relations underwent tensions for reasons which were not completely clear (See also: Foreign relations of Nauru#Ties with the United States of America, above).
In September 2008, Nauru's foreign minister attended the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana
, aimed at "strengtening cooperation" between Nauru and Cuba, notably on coping with the impact of climate change
.
serves concurrently as Russia's non-resident ambassador to Nauru (as well as to Fiji
and Vanuatu
).
Nauru's banks are said to have provided services to the mafia in Russia during the 1990s; over the course of the 1990s, approximately 70 billion U.S. dollars owned by Russian mafia were held in Nauru banks.
In 2009 Nauru became the fourth country to recognize the states of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia
, breakaway regions of Georgia
. Only three other UN member states have done so. Russia was reported to be giving Nauru $50M in humanitarian aid in exchange.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Brazil
in November 2005.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Vietnam
on 23 June 2006.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Kosovo
on 23 April 2008.
http://www.president-ksgov.net/?id=5,67,67,67,a,786
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia
on 15 December 2009.
In October 2008 the new US Ambassador to Fiji
, also accredited to Nauru
, pledged efforts to assist Nauru
's economic development.
In 1995, Nauru broke off relations diplomatic relations with France
to protest French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Relations were resumed in 1997.
In 2011, Nauru established diplomatic relations with Montenegro
to the United Nations
in New York
: the ambassadors of respetive countries were Milorad Šćepanović (Montenegro) and Marlena Moses (Nauru).
(ROC) and the People's Republic of China
(PRC) by changing its position on the political status of Taiwan
. During 2002, Nauru signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC on 21 July. Nauru accepted $130m from PRC for this action. In response, the ROC severed diplomatic relations with Nauru two days later. Nauru later re-established links with the ROC on 14 May 2005, and diplomatic ties with the PRC were officially severed on 31 May 2005. Similarly in 2008, Nauru recognized Kosovo
as an independent country. Then, in 2009, Nauru became only the fourth country to recognize the breakaway republics of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia
, which are both claimed by Georgia
. Russia was reported to be giving Nauru $50m in humanitarian aid in return.
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
, following independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, became a sovereign, independent republic on 31 January 1968. Nauru has established diplomatic relations with a number of nations, including most of its Pacific neighbors with which it maintains economic, cultural and administrative ties with its regionally.
Membership in international organizations
Nauru was admitted to the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
on 14 September 1999. Nauru's application to the United Nations
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1249
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1249, adopted on June 25, 1999, after examining the application of the Republic of Nauru for membership in the United Nations, the Council recommended to the General Assembly that Nauru be admitted, bringing total membership of the United Nations to...
was questioned by the People’s Republic of China due to Nauru's close diplomatic and trade links to Taiwan. Nevertheless, Nauru was granted UN full membership.
Nauru became a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
in May 1999. Since independence, Nauru had been a special member
Special membership of the Commonwealth of Nations
A special member was a member of the Commonwealth of Nations whose participation was limited in certain functions. Originally, it was a status held by a few newly-joined countries, whose involvement was limited by its own limited financial resources...
of the Commonwealth prior to 1999, but having fallen behind in payments, reverted back to Special Member Status on 1 July 2005, with no authoritative power. It then returned to be a full member again on June 2011.
Additionally outside the region, Nauru is a member or participant of the ACP (Lomé Convention), the Alliance of Small Island States
Alliance of Small Island States
Alliance of Small Island States is an intergovernmental organization of low-lying coastal and small Island countries. Established in 1990, the main purpose of the alliance is to consolidate the voices of Small Island Developing States to address global warming...
, the Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
(FAO), the G-77
Group of 77
The Group of 77 at the United Nations is a loose coalition of developing nations, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. There were 77 founding members of the organization, but the organization has...
, the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
, the ITU
International Telecommunication Union
The International Telecommunication Union is the specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for information and communication technologies...
, the NAM
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
, the World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
and the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
.
Nauru is notable for its lack of membership in several major international organizations. For example, Nauru is one of only four UN-recognized nations with a sea border that is not a member of the International Maritime Organization
International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
(the others are the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue and Palau). Similarly, the Nauru is one of only seven UN members that is not a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is one of five institutions that compose the World Bank Group. The IBRD is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by World War II. Now, its mission has expanded to fight...
, one of 8 not part of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
, one of 12 UN not part of the International Finance Corporation
International Finance Corporation
The International Finance Corporation promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States....
. Nauru also is not a member of the International Development Association
International Development Association
The International Development Association , is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. It complements the World Bank's other lending arm — the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development — which serves middle-income countries with capital investment and...
and has no society associated with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
. Finally, as with many other nations in Oceania, Nauru is not a member of Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
or of the International Hydrographic Organization
International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
.
Membership in regional organizations
Regional cooperation through various multilateral organizations is a key element in Nauru's foreign policy. The country also hosted the regional meeting that resulted in the Nauru Agreement Concerning Cooperation In The Management Of Fisheries Of Common Interest whose eight signatories (including Naurua) collectively controls 25-30% of the world's tuna supply and approximately 60% of the western and central Pacific tuna supply http://klima-tuvalu.no/2011/04/13/pacific-islands-fighting-for-their-tuna/. Additionally, Nauru is a full member of the Pacific Islands ForumPacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum...
, the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission is an inter-governmental regional organisation dedicated to providing services to promote sustainable development in the countries it serves.-Members:...
, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Pacific Regional Environment Programme
The Pacific Regional Environment Programme is an intergovernmental organisation charged with promoting cooperation, supporting protection and improvement of the Pacific islands environment, and ensuring its sustainable development...
and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, or SPC , is a regional intergovernmental organisation whose membership includes both nations and territories...
.
Hosting Refugees
In 2001 Nauru became host to approximately 867 refugeeRefugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s, mostly Afghan, who were intercepted while attempting to enter Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
illegally. This exchange was one of many which were collectively known as Australia's Pacific Solution
Pacific Solution
The Pacific Solution was the name given to the Australian government policy of transporting asylum seekers to detention camps on small island nations in the Pacific Ocean, rather than allowing them to land on the Australian mainland...
. In February 2008, the last of the refugees were resettled in Australia. Nauru reportedly received about $10 million in assistance from Australia in exchange for agreeing to house the refugees while their asylum applications are adjudicated.
Australia
Australia administered Nauru as a dependent territory from 1914 to 1968, and has remained one of Nauru's foremost economic and aid partners thereafter. Relations between the two countries are, at present, cordial, with Australia having committed itself to assisting Nauru's economic development.People's Republic of China and Taiwan
On 21 July 2002, Prime Minister Rene HarrisRené Harris
René Reynaldo Harris was President of the Republic of Nauru four times between 1999 and 2004. He was a Member of Parliament from 1977 to 2008.-Background and early career:...
of Nauru signed a joint communiqué in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. In the document, the Government of the Republic of Nauru recognised that, "...that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory." The declaration also contained an undertaking by Nauru to close its embassy in Taipei within one month, which was curious because Nauru had never had a diplomatic mission in Taiwan. This move followed the PRC's promise to provide more than $130 million USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
in aid.
That same day, the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
government issued an ultimatum, demanding that the communiqué be withdrawn within 24 hours or it would take the initiative and sever ties. There was much dissension within the Nauruan government over the move by Harris, which the prime minister was alleged to have made on his own initiative. In the confusion, the Nauru government did not respond to the ultimatum, which was extended an additional 24 hours, and the ROC followed through with its threat, breaking ties that had existed since 1980 on 23 July 2002. In 2003, Nauru closed its embassy in Beijing, prompting speculation of an imminent resumption of ties with the ROC.
In April 2005, during a state visit to the Marshall Islands, ROC President Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
met and spoke with the Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty
Ludwig Scotty
Ludwig Derangadage Scotty is a two-time former President of the Republic of Nauru. He served as President from 29 May 2003 to 8 August 2003, then from 22 June 2004 to his ousting in a vote of no confidence on 19 December 2007....
. On 14 May 2005, the two countries signed the necessary documents to restore formal ties and reopen embassies. The People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
consequently severed ties two weeks later on 31 May.
United States
The Nauruan government has a very complex relationship with the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; the government of Bernard Dowiyogo
Bernard Dowiyogo
HE Bernard Annen Auwen Dowiyogo was President of the Republic of Nauru.-Background and early career:He first became an elected member of Nauru's 18-seat parliament in 1973...
agreed to stop passport sales and offshore banking in return for an extensive aid package. However, that aid has not been delivered and Nauru's formal and traditional leaders are now looking to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and China for assistance. According to the U.S. Department of State, Nauru has cordial relations with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
The U.S. has no consular or diplomatic offices in Nauru. Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently accredited to Nauru and make periodic visits.
In September 2007, David Adeang
David Adeang
David Waiau Adeang is a Nauruan politician, and a former Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru, and a former Foreign Minister of Nauru. He is a founding member of the Naoero Amo , currently the only successful political party on the island.-Background and Early career:David Adeang's father is Kennan...
, Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
's Foreign Minister, made a number of public statements in relation to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He extolled Cuba and criticized US foreign policy, during a visit to the Caribbean island. Subsequently, the US Department of State, referring to events investigated in 2007, reported criticism of Adeang in its Human Rights Report, issued for 2008. This criticism was included in the State Department's report, despite the fact that police, having undertaken an investigation of allegations of wrongdoing, made no attempt to prosecute Adeang. Shortly after Adeang's public pronouncements, a crisis, with himself at the centre, led to the collapse of President of Nauru
President of Nauru
The President of Nauru is elected by Parliament from amongst its members. He is both the head of state and head of government of Nauru. Nauru's unicameral Parliament has 18 members, with an electoral term of 3 years. Political parties only play a minor role in Nauru politics, and there has often...
Ludwig Scotty
Ludwig Scotty
Ludwig Derangadage Scotty is a two-time former President of the Republic of Nauru. He served as President from 29 May 2003 to 8 August 2003, then from 22 June 2004 to his ousting in a vote of no confidence on 19 December 2007....
's government.
Trade between the United States and Nauru is limited by the latter's small size and economic problems. The value of two-way trade in 2005 was US$1.6 million.
United Kingdom
The Nauruan government maintains an Hon. Consul, Martin W I Weston, who has served in this role for a number of years. The British Government had ceased to exercise any direct role in the governance of NauruNauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
by 1968.
Cuba
In the late 2000s, Nauru began to strengthen its relations with CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Cuba provides medical aid to Nauru; an unspecified number of Cuban doctors are serving in Nauru.
In June 2007, Nauru adopted the "Cuban literacy method", reportedly used also in several other countries. In October 2007, Nauruan Foreign Minister and Trade Minister David Adeang
David Adeang
David Waiau Adeang is a Nauruan politician, and a former Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru, and a former Foreign Minister of Nauru. He is a founding member of the Naoero Amo , currently the only successful political party on the island.-Background and Early career:David Adeang's father is Kennan...
travelled to Cuba to strengthen relations between the two island nations. This led to the creation of a Cuba-Nauru Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation. At approximately this time, Nauru-US relations underwent tensions for reasons which were not completely clear (See also: Foreign relations of Nauru#Ties with the United States of America, above).
In September 2008, Nauru's foreign minister attended the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, aimed at "strengtening cooperation" between Nauru and Cuba, notably on coping with the impact of climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
Russia
Russia is represented in Nauru through its embassy in Canberra (Australia). Russia's ambassador to Australia Alexander BlokhinAlexander Blokhin (diplomat)
Alexander Viktorovich Blokhin is a Russian diplomat, currently serving as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Australia....
serves concurrently as Russia's non-resident ambassador to Nauru (as well as to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
and Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
).
Nauru's banks are said to have provided services to the mafia in Russia during the 1990s; over the course of the 1990s, approximately 70 billion U.S. dollars owned by Russian mafia were held in Nauru banks.
In 2009 Nauru became the fourth country to recognize the states of Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
and South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
, breakaway regions of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. Only three other UN member states have done so. Russia was reported to be giving Nauru $50M in humanitarian aid in exchange.
Other countries
Nauru has diplomatic relations with most states in Oceania. It also has ties with most major industrial countries, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, the United States of America and South Africa.Nauru established diplomatic relations with Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in November 2005.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
on 23 June 2006.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
on 23 April 2008.
http://www.president-ksgov.net/?id=5,67,67,67,a,786
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
on 15 December 2009.
In October 2008 the new US Ambassador to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, also accredited to Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
, pledged efforts to assist Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
's economic development.
In 1995, Nauru broke off relations diplomatic relations with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to protest French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Relations were resumed in 1997.
In 2011, Nauru established diplomatic relations with Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
: the ambassadors of respetive countries were Milorad Šćepanović (Montenegro) and Marlena Moses (Nauru).
Relations with partially recognised states
Nauru has used its position as a member of the United Nations to gain financial support from both the Republic of ChinaRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(ROC) and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(PRC) by changing its position on the political status of Taiwan
Political status of Taiwan
The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should remain effectively independent as territory of the Republic of China , become unified with the territories now governed by the People's Republic of China , or formally declare...
. During 2002, Nauru signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC on 21 July. Nauru accepted $130m from PRC for this action. In response, the ROC severed diplomatic relations with Nauru two days later. Nauru later re-established links with the ROC on 14 May 2005, and diplomatic ties with the PRC were officially severed on 31 May 2005. Similarly in 2008, Nauru recognized Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
as an independent country. Then, in 2009, Nauru became only the fourth country to recognize the breakaway republics of Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
and South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
, which are both claimed by Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. Russia was reported to be giving Nauru $50m in humanitarian aid in return.
External links
- Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade pages on Nauru
- The U.S. Department of State's page on Nauru
- History of Nauru - U.S. relations
- Lithuanian government has just approved to establish diplomatic relations with Nauru http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBQf8y_enS0