Foreign relations of São Tomé and Príncipe

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.

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Andorra	27 May 2009	Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 27, 2009.[1]
Angola		Angola has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Luanda.
Argentina	5 November 1975	Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 5, 1975.[2]
Armenia		Both countries have not yet established diplomatic relations.[3]
Austria		See Austria–São Tomé and Príncipe relations
Australia		Australia is represented in São Tomé and Príncipe from its embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.[4] São Tomé and Príncipe is represented in Australia by from its embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.[4]
Brazil	1975	See Brazil–São Tomé and Príncipe relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1975.[5] Both countries are full members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Brazil has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe is accredited to Brazil from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.
Cape Verde		Cape Verde has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Praia.
China	12 July 1975	See China–São Tomé and Príncipe relations Prior to independence, the People's Republic of China (PRC) supported the country's indigenous movement for independence against the Portuguese Empire and the relationship continued after independence. Official diplomatic relation was established with the PRC upon independence on 12 July 1975. In 1975 and 1983, the country's first president, Manuel Pinto da Costa, visited the PRC. On 6 May 1997, São Tomé and Príncipe switched diplomatic relation from PRC to Republic of China (ROC).[6] On 15 November 2013, an unofficial PRC trade mission office was established in São Tomé and Príncipe to facilitate the non-political commercial ties with the PRC.[7] However, in June 2014, President Manuel Pinto da Costa made a private visit to Shanghai in Mainland China for a non-political mission.[8] São Tomé and Príncipe had been speaking at the United Nations General Assembly for ROC meaningful participation in international organizations. While on the other side, ROC has provided various aids to the country for the development in their infrastructure and social system.[9] São Tomé and Príncipe severed relations with ROC on 20 December 2016, leaving Burkina Faso and Swaziland as the only two remaining African nations retaining formal relations with the ROC,[10] when the ROC government reportedly turned down a São Toméan request for $210 million in financial assistance.[11] Diplomatic relations between PRC and São Tomé and Príncipe resumed on 26 December 2016.[12]
Croatia	23 May 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1993.[13]
Cyprus	7 November 2000	Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 7, 2000.[14]
Egypt		Egypt is represented in São Tomé and Príncipe by its embassy in Luanda, Angola.[15] Both countries are full members of the African Union.
Equatorial Guinea		Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Malabo.
India	1975	See India–São Tomé and Príncipe relations The Republic of India has enjoyed warm and friendly relations since its (São Tomé's) independence in 1975. Dr. Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny, then the São Tomé Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities visited India from 29 November to 2 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 Ministry 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 million for 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 Health 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.[16]
Israel	November 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations in November 1993.[17]
Japan	22 July 1975	Both nations established diplomatic relations on July 22, 1975.[18]
Latvia	26 July 1994	Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 26, 1994.[19]
Lithuania	8 July 2003	Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 8, 2003.[20]
Mexico	1989[21]	Mexico is accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. São Tomé and Príncipe does not have an accreditation to Mexico.
Mongolia	22 October 1975	Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 22, 1975.[22]
Mozambique		Mozambique is accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe from its embassy in Luanda, Angola and maintains an honorary consulate in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Luanda, Angola and maintains an honorary consulate in Maputo.[23]
Portugal	12 July 1975	See Portugal–São Tomé and Príncipe relations Portugal has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Lisbon.
Romania	12 July 1975	Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1975.[24]
Serbia	1977	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.[25] Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[26]
South Africa	10 May 1994	Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 10, 1994.[27] Both countries are full members of the African Union.
South Korea	20 August 1998	Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and São Tomé and Príncipe was August 20, 1988. In 2001 Bilateral Trade were Exports $74,479 Imports $40,381.[28]
Spain		See São Tomé and Príncipe–Spain relations
Turkey	July 12, 1975[29]	Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Lisbon is accredited to Turkey.[30] The Turkish Embassy in Libreville is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe.[30] Trade volume between the two countries was 2.3 million USD in 2019.[30]
United States		See São Tomé and Príncipe–United States relations 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 (AS-39) entered West African waters near São Tomé to provide security assistance and training to the local security services.
Vietnam	6 November 1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 6, 1976.[31]

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in São Tomé and Príncipe
• List of diplomatic missions of São Tomé and Príncipe

References

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6. China and Sao Tome and Principe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China, 2006
7. "China opens trade office in Sao Tome". Taipei Times. 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
8. "Sao Tome leader's China visit not political: MOFA". Taipei Times. 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
9. "Premier Jiang hails staunch Taiwan-Sao Tome relations". The China Post. 2013-11-19. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
10. Blanchard, Ben (21 December 2016). "China welcomes Sao Tome decision to ditch Taiwan ties". Reuters. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
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14. (in Greek) http://www.olc.gov.cy/olc/olc.nsf/all/2AF5BD95E237A977422576DC0032E0CC/$file/List%20of%20Sao%20Tome%20and%20Principe.pdf?openelement Archived 2018-02-13 at the Wayback Machine
15. https://www.mfa.gov.eg/English/Ministry/PublishingImages/Pages/contacts-egypt-empassys/Africa.doc
16. "Sorry for the inconvenience". Mea.gov.in. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
17. http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutTheMinistry/Pages/Israel-s%20Diplomatic%20Missions%20Abroad.aspx
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19. "Establishment and renewal of diplomatic relations". Mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
21. "La política hacia Africa, Asia y Medio Oriente: 1988-1994 (in Spanish)" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-12-29.
22. "LIST OF STATES WITH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS". web.archive.org. 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
23. Honorary consulate of São Tomé and Príncipe in Maputo
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28. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-06-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
29. "Relations between Turkey and São Tomé and Príncipe". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
30. "Relations between Turkey and Sao Tome and Principe".
31. admin. "- General Information about Countries and Regions". www.mofa.gov.vn. Retrieved 29 December 2018.