Foreign relations of Madagascar

Madagascar has diplomatic relations with many countries, both individual bilateral relations and by virtue of its membership of African and other regional blocs. International aid has been received from the IMF and the World Bank, and a national environmental plan supported by the World Bank and USAID began in 1990.

Regional relations

Madagascar historically has remained outside the mainstream of African affairs, although it is a member of the Indian Ocean Commission, the Organization of African Unity (now renamed the AU), the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), and the Non-Aligned Movement. Madagascar was admitted to the Southern African Development Community in 2004.

Bilateral relations

Active diplomatic relationships are maintained with Europe, especially the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, as well as with Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Egypt and China. Madagascar also maintains good relations with the United States.

International agencies being present in the country allows to react quickly to emergencies such as a food crisis.[1]

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Algeria		Algeria has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar has an embassy in Algiers.
Comoros		Comoros has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar is accredited to the Comoros from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Egypt		Egypt has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar is accredited to Egypt from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ethiopia		Ethiopia is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Madagascar has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
Kenya		Kenya does not haven an accreditation to Madagascar. Madagascar is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mauritius		Madagascar has an embassy in Port Louis. Mauritius has an embassy in Antananarivo.
Morocco		Madagascar is accredited to Morocco from its embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Morocco has an embassy in Antananarivo.
Mozambique		Madagascar is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Mozambique is accredited to Madagascar from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
Namibia		Madagascar is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Namibia is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Nigeria		Madagascar is accredited to Nigeria from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nigeria is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique.
Senegal		Madagascar has an embassy in Dakar. Senegal is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
South Africa	1994	See Madagascar–South Africa relations South Africa and Madagascar share maritime borders with each other. Madagascar has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town.[2] South Africa has an embassy in Antananarivo.[3]
Tanzania		Madagascar is accredited to Tanzania from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Tanzania is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique.

Americas

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina		Argentina is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Madagascar does not have an accreditation to Argentina.
Brazil	1996	Brazil is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique. Madagascar is accredited to Brazil from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Canada		See Canada–Madagascar relations Canada is accredited to Madagascar from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.[4] Madagascar has an embassy in Ottawa.[5]
Colombia		Colombia is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Madagascar is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Cuba		Cuba is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Madagascar is accredited to Cuba from its embassy in Ottawa, Canada.
Mexico	26 December 1975	See Madagascar–Mexico relations Madagascar is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains an honorary consulate in Mexico City.[6] Mexico is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Antananarivo.[7]
United States		See Madagascar–United States relations Relations between the United States and Madagascar date to the middle 19th century. The two countries concluded a commercial convention in 1867 and a treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce in 1881. Traditionally warm relations suffered considerably during the 1970s, when Madagascar expelled the U.S. ambassador, the USA closed a NASA tracking station, allied with the USSR, and nationalized two U.S. oil companies. In 1980, relations at the ambassadorial level were restored. Throughout the troubled period, commercial and cultural relations remained active. In 1990, Madagascar was designated as a priority aid recipient, and assistance increased from $15 million in 1989 to $40 million in 1993. Recent U.S. assistance has contributed to a population census and family planning programs; conservation of Madagascar's remarkable biodiversity, private sector development, agriculture, democracy and governance initiatives; and media training. Madagascar became the first country with a Millennium Challenge Account compact when it signed an agreement worth $110 million in April 2006. The Ravalomanana government is especially positive about ties with the United States. Madagascar has an embassy in Washington, DC.[8] United States has an embassy in Antananarivo.[9]  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/. (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets)[10][11]

Asia

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	25 June 1993	The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1993.[12] Armenia does not have an accreditation to Madagascar. Madagascar does not have an accreditation to Armenia.
Azerbaijan	26 May 1993[13]	The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May, 1993. [13]
China	6 November 1972	See China-Madagascar relations China and Madagascar established diplomatic relations on November 6, 1972.[14] China has an embassy in Antananarivo and a consulate-general in Toamasina.[15] Madagascar has an embassy in Beijing.[16]
India		See India–Madagascar relations India has had maritime links with Madagascar for several centuries.[17] India opened a consulate general in Antananarivo in 1954. Upon Madagascar gaining independence in 1960, it was upgraded to an embassy.[17] There are about 20,000 persons of Indian origin in Madagascar, including approximately 2,500 Indian passport holders.[18] India has an embassy in Antananarivo.[19] Madagascar has an embassy in New Delhi.[20]
Indonesia		See Indonesia–Madagascar relations Indonesia has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar does not have an accreditation to Indonesia.
Iran		Iran has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Israel		The two countries have a number of bilateral agreements in force.[21] Israel does not have an accreditation to Madagascar. Madagascar is accredited to Israel from its embassy in Paris, France.
Japan	5 July 1960	The two countries established diplomatic relations on July 5, 1960.[22] Japan has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar has an embassy in Tokyo.
Pakistan		The Malagasy authorities continue their diplomatic normalisation with the international community, including Pakistan. Pakistan are exporters of rice, garments, fresh fruits and wheat flour. Madagascar's requested Pakistan’s federal government to help their country in overcoming food crisis as well as provide economic support. The ministry of foreign affairs said he would also propose Pakistan to sign a new framework of bilateral relationship with Madagascar to promote economic and trade relations. Madagascar is accredited to Pakistan from its embassy New Delhi, India. Pakistan does not have an accreditation to Madagascar, however, Pakistan maintains an honorary consulate in Antananarivo.
Saudi Arabia		Madagascar has an embassy in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
South Korea		Madagascar is accredited to South Korea from its embassy in Tokyo, Japan. South Korea has an embassy in Antananarivo.
Turkey	Feb. 13, 1866[23]	See Madagascar–Turkey relations Madagascar is accredited to Turkey from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[24] Turkey has an embassy in Antananarivo.[24] Trade volume between the two countries was 76.5 million USD in 2019 (Malagasy exports/imports: 5.2/71.3 million USD).[24]
Vietnam	19 December 1972	The two countries established diplomatic relations on December 19, 1972.[25][26] Madagascar is accredited to Vietnam from its embassy in Beijing, China. Vietnam is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique.

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Belgium		Belgium is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Madagascar has an embassy in Brussels.
Croatia	27 September 2006	The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 27, 2006.[27][28] Croatia is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Madagascar does not have an accreditation to Croatia.
Cyprus		Cyprus is accredited to Madagascar from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.[29] and an honorary consulate in Antananarivo.[30] Madagascar does not have an accreditation to Cyprus.
France	26 June 1960	See France–Madagascar relations France has an embassy in Antananarivo.[31] Madagascar has an embassy in Paris and consulates-general in Marseille and Saint-Denis.[32]
Germany		Germany has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar has an embassy in Berlin.
Greece		Greece is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.[33] Madagascar is accredited to Greece from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[33]
Holy See		Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Antananarivo. Madagascar is accredited to the Holy See from its embassy in Paris, France.
Iceland		Iceland is accredited to Madagascar from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík. Madagascar is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Italy		Italy is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Madagascar has an embassy in Rome.
Norway		Madagascar is accredited to Norway from its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Norway has an embassy in Antananarivo.
Poland		Madagascar is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Moscow, Russia. Poland is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and maintains an honorary consulate in Antananarivo.
Romania	10 September 1968	The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 10, 1968.[34] Madagascar is accredited to Romania from its embassy in Rome, Italy. Romania is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
Russia	29 September 1972	See Madagascar–Russia relations The establishment of diplomatic relations between Madagascar and the Soviet Union started on September 29, 1972. During the 2009 Malagasy political crisis, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is "concerned by the increased frequency of attempts on the African continent to resort to non-constitutional methods of solving internal political problems." He went on to say that, in addition to increasing economic and social problems, the use of force is of concern and runs counter to democratic principles, whilst affirming Russia's support of the African Union's position.[35] Madagascar has an embassy in Moscow.[36] Russia has an embassy in Antananarivo.[37]
Serbia	1960	The two countries have established diplomatic relations in 1960.[38] A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded and are in force between the two countries.[39] Madagascar is accredited to Serbia from its embassy in Rome, Italy. Serbia is accredited to Madagascar from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.
Spain	25 March 1966	See Madagascar–Spain relations Madagascar is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France. Spain is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
Switzerland		Madagascar has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Antananarivo.
United Kingdom		Madagascar has an embassy in London. United Kingdom has an embassy in Antananarivo.

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia		Australia is accredited to Madagascar from its high commission in Port Louis, Mauritius. Madagascar is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Sydney.
New Zealand		Madagascar is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa New Zealand does not have an accreditation to Madagascar.

International Aid

The World Bank had a $600 million commitment to Madagascar through 21 active International Development Association projects.

On June 23, 2000 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $41 million disbursement of its new three-year $141 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. This money is intended to secure Malagasy credit, and to cover additional financing gaps caused by recent natural disasters.

In 2003, the World Bank released more than $100 million in poverty reduction aid in response to Madagascar's efforts to stop corruption. Then, in October 2004, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said they would write off $2 billion in debt—almost half Madagascar's total debt.

In March 2005, Madagascar was the first beneficiary of development aid offered by the United States in a plan aimed at rewarding countries determined by Washington to be putting forth market reforms and advocating democracy.

Further debt relief constituted another infusion of favorable developments for Madagascar when on June 11, 2005, at a pre-G8 summit meeting in London, world leaders agreed to write off $40 billion in debt owed by the world's poorest countries. Under the plan, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Fund would write off 100 percent of the money owed to them by 18 countries

Madagascar and international aid for the environment

Since the mid-1980s, the donor community, led by the World Bank and the USAID, has recognized that Madagascar is one of the world's most unusual natural wonders. As such, it has invested substantially in Malagasy conservation efforts. At $18 million per annum, the environment program of USAID-Madagascar is the second largest American program in Madagascar, and one of the largest programs of its kind in the world. The World Bank further supported this environmental effort with an additional $180 million. Other bilateral donors including France, Germany and others have funded specific project initiatives in coordination with the World Bank and the USAID.

Eighty percent of the flora and fauna are endemic. The problem recognized by the international community is that this unique and valuable land has proven fragile. The bulk of the rainforests have already been destroyed causing significant erosion and a threat to water sources in arid areas. The international community has recognized this environmental catastrophe in progress and has responded in force by supporting and guiding the Malagasy government in its conservation program. Research has demonstrated that "tavy", a form of slash and burns agriculture, has been the largest contributor to environmental degradation in Madagascar. As a result, the 1990s have seen both a prohibition on tavy in many places and an acceleration in the creation of national parks and protected areas that are off limits to agriculture. The goal has been to establish more than 50 such parks and protected areas in a 15-year period.

While Madagascar's conservation crisis remains severe, its economic situation is also grave. With a population that is more than 80 percent agrarian, limiting resource through the creation of parks and farming restrictions is economically devastating to a significant percentage of the rural population. The need for economic development is thus exacerbated by the rapid growth of environmental policies and institutions.

National Environmental Action Plan

The USAID and the World Bank worked together with the Malagasy government in the late 1980s to try to find a way to reconcile these two difficult and seemingly mutually-exacerbating problems. The result of these discussions was the creation of the Malagasy Office of the Environment and the signing of a National Environmental Action Plan.

The National Environmental Action Plan is intended to be implemented in three phases. The first phase of Madagascar's Environment Plan (EP1, 1990–1996) was marked by the creation of Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDP). These ICDPs were intended to offer farmers economic alternatives ecologically unsound environmental practices. This phase also focused on establishing an institutional environment. The USAID funded the creation of the ANGAP (National Association for the Management of Protected Areas - the national park service), employing consultants to model an institutional structure based upon a modified version of the South African and American national parks and protected areas systems.

The second phase (1997–2002) focuses on the implementation of a larger "landscape approach" to conservation and development, and the transference of conservation and development project ownership from international non-government organizations to the Malagasy national parks association (ANGAP). The focus of the third phase (2003–2008) is not yet clarified, but will require the completion of the indigenization process and the withdrawal of foreign economic support.

Early evaluations of the donor programs have criticized the integrated conservation and development approach for paying no more than lip service to development. Biological conservation has been prioritized at the cost of local livelihoods. Further, the development initiatives that have been implemented are not well integrated. Most local recipients of development aid do not connect the aid to the agricultural and land restrictions. Local animosity towards these programs is thus commonly high.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Madagascar
• List of diplomatic missions of Madagascar
• Visa policy of Madagascar

References

1. Ford, Peter; Peterson, Scott; Brown, Ryan Lenora (July 30, 2017). "Can famine be checked as Africa faces its worst crisis since the 1980s?". Christian Science Monitor.
2. "Embassy of Madagascar in Pretoria". Madagascar.org.za. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2017-08-26.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
3. "Department of International Relations and Cooperation - South Africa". Dfa.gov.za.
4. Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada. "High Commission of Canada to South Africa". Canadainternational.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
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6. Embassy of Madagascar in the United States
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9. "Home - Madagascar - United States Mission". Antananarivo.usembassy.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
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19. "Embassy of India, Antananarivo, Madagascar". Embassyofindia.mg. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-01-07. Retrieved 2017-02-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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24. "Relations between Turkey and Madagascar".
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26. "VIETNAM - MADAGASCA RELATIONS". Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
27. "MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". Mvep.hr. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
28. "MVEP • Overview of Bilateral Treaties of the Republic of Croatia by Country". Mvep.hr. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
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30. "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Honorary Consular Officers of the Republic of Cyprus". Mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
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38. "Madagascar". Mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
39. "МАDAGASCAR" (DOC). Mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 2017-08-27.

External links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar (French)