Foreign relations of São Tomé and Príncipe
Encyclopedia
Until independence
in 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe
had few ties abroad except those that passed through Portugal
. Following independence, the new government sought to expand its diplomatic relationships. A common language, tradition, and colonial experience have led to close collaboration between São Tomé and other ex-Portuguese colonies in Africa
, particularly Angola
. São Toméan relations with other African countries in the region, such as Gabon
and the Republic of the Congo
, are also good. In December 2000, São Tomé signed the African Union
treaty; it was later ratified by the National Assembly
.
The São Toméan government has generally maintained a foreign policy
based on nonalignment
and cooperation with any country willing to assist in its economic development
. In recent years, it has also increasingly emphasized ties to the United States
and western Europe
. It maintains relations with the Republic of China
(Taiwan) instead of the People's Republic of China
.
supported the country's indigenous movement for independence against the Portuguese Empire
and the relationship continued after independence. In 1975 and 1983, the country's first president, Manuel Pinto da Costa
, visited PR China. In 1997, São Tomé became one of the few states in the world which recognized the Republic of China
(Taiwan) and eschewed relations with the much larger and powerful People's Republic of China
.
's) independence in 1975. Dr. Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny, then the São Tomé Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities visited India from 29th November to 2nd December, 2009. This visit was the first of its kind and the only high level visit to or from India
since São Tomé
became independent in 1975. As stated by the Minsitry of External Affairs of the Government of India
,India assured Sao Tome and Principe of its support in the form of official developmental assistance, technical cooperation and capacity building to facilitate the rapid economic & social development of its people. In this context, the Government of India announced a grant of US$1 millionfor setting up a Technology Incubation-cum-Production Centre for development of SME sector and another grant of Rs.10 million for meeting immediate requirements in education and health sectors. It was also agreed to favourably consider a Line of Credit for US$5 million for priority projects to be identified by the STP side in the fields of agriculture, capacity building and infrastructure. Both these are being implemented. In October 2010 Computer hardware were gifted to the Government of ST&P. During the same time, 173
packets of essential medicine was delivered to the Heath Ministry of ST&P as a goodwill gesture In turn, the Republic of São Tomé and Principe has announced its support for India to be awarded a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
and is the 47th country of Africa
to join the Government of India's Pan-African e-Network Project.
São Tomé's relationship with Portugal was described as "remarkable" in January 2011 during a Portuguese visit to the country. In 2009, the former colonizer was by far the largest importer to the country, with nearly 59% of all imports tracing their origin to Portugal.
With the development of São Tomé's oil reserves, American diplomatic and military relations are becoming closer. In February 2005, the US Navy's USS Emory S. Land entered West African waters near São Tomé to provide security assistance and training to the local security services.
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
in 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...
had few ties abroad except those that passed through Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Following independence, the new government sought to expand its diplomatic relationships. A common language, tradition, and colonial experience have led to close collaboration between São Tomé and other ex-Portuguese colonies in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, particularly Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
. São Toméan relations with other African countries in the region, such as Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
and the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
, are also good. In December 2000, São Tomé signed the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
treaty; it was later ratified by the National Assembly
National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe
The unicameral National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 26 March 2006, has a total of 55 members elected in 7 multi-member constituencies using the party-list proportional representation system...
.
The São Toméan government has generally maintained a foreign policy
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
based on nonalignment
Neutrality (international relations)
A neutral power in a particular war is a sovereign state which declares itself to be neutral towards the belligerents. A non-belligerent state does not need to be neutral. The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in Sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907...
and cooperation with any country willing to assist in its economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
. In recent years, it has also increasingly emphasized ties to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
. It maintains relations with 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...
(Taiwan) instead of 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...
.
China
Prior to independence, the People's Republic of ChinaPeople'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...
supported the country's indigenous movement for independence against the Portuguese Empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
and the relationship continued after independence. In 1975 and 1983, the country's first president, Manuel Pinto da Costa
Manuel Pinto da Costa
Manuel Pinto da Costa is a Santoméan economist and politician who served as the first President of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1975 to 1991. He was again elected as President in August 2011 and took office on 3 September 2011....
, visited PR China. In 1997, São Tomé became one of the few states in the world which recognized 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...
(Taiwan) and eschewed relations with the much larger and powerful 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...
.
India
The Republic of India has enjoyed warm and friendly relations since its (São ToméSão Tomé
-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...
's) independence in 1975. Dr. Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny, then the São Tomé Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities visited India from 29th November to 2nd December, 2009. This visit was the first of its kind and the only high level visit to or from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
since São Tomé
São Tomé
-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...
became independent in 1975. As stated by the Minsitry of External Affairs of the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
,India assured Sao Tome and Principe of its support in the form of official developmental assistance, technical cooperation and capacity building to facilitate the rapid economic & social development of its people. In this context, the Government of India announced a grant of US$1 millionfor setting up a Technology Incubation-cum-Production Centre for development of SME sector and another grant of Rs.10 million for meeting immediate requirements in education and health sectors. It was also agreed to favourably consider a Line of Credit for US$5 million for priority projects to be identified by the STP side in the fields of agriculture, capacity building and infrastructure. Both these are being implemented. In October 2010 Computer hardware were gifted to the Government of ST&P. During the same time, 173
packets of essential medicine was delivered to the Heath Ministry of ST&P as a goodwill gesture In turn, the Republic of São Tomé and Principe has announced its support for India to be awarded a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
and is the 47th country of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
to join the Government of India's Pan-African e-Network Project.
Portugal
São Tomé's relationship with Portugal was described as "remarkable" in January 2011 during a Portuguese visit to the country. In 2009, the former colonizer was by far the largest importer to the country, with nearly 59% of all imports tracing their origin to Portugal.
United States
With the development of São Tomé's oil reserves, American diplomatic and military relations are becoming closer. In February 2005, the US Navy's USS Emory S. Land entered West African waters near São Tomé to provide security assistance and training to the local security services.
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in São Tomé and Príncipe
- List of diplomatic missions of São Tomé and Príncipe