Foreign relations of Nauru
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Foreign Relations of
Nauru
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Flag of Nauru
| Independence | January 31, 1968 |
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| Joined UN | September 14, 1999 |
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Following independence in 1968, Nauru joined the Commonwealth as a Special Member. Special Members take part in all Commonwealth activities except heads of government meetings. They are not assessed but make voluntary contributions toward the running of the Secretariat. They are eligible for all forms of technical assistance.
Nauru was admitted to the United Nations in 1999. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the South Pacific Commission, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
In 2001 Nauru became host to approximately 867 refugees, mostly Afghan, who were intercepted while attempting to enter Australia illegally. A total of 549 of them remain on the island; 318 of these have agreed to return to Afghanistan after receiving a cash package from 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.
During 2002 Nauru severed diplomatic recognition with the Republic of China (Taiwan), held since 1980, and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. This move followed the PRC's promise to provide more than $130 million USD in aid. In 2003 Nauru closed the PRC embassy and resumed diplomatic contact with Taiwan. Taiwan declared to pay nauruan debts of 2,7 million US$ with the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Taiwan is the only country which is maintaining an embassy in Nauru. 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. In May 2005, the two countries signed the necessary documents to forge formal ties and reopen embassies. The interesting thing, this time round, is that the Nauran nor the Chinese governments, have renounced thier ties for each other.
The Nauruan government has a very complex relationship with the United States; 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.
Nauruan embassies abroad
- United Nations; in New York City, the United States
External link
- The U.S. Department of State's page on Nauru (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16447.htm)