Foreign relations of Trinidad and Tobago
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Politics of Trinidad and Tobago
Modern Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain.
As a member of CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago strongly backed efforts by the United States to bring political stability to Haiti, contributing personnel to the Multinational Force in 1994. After its 1962 independence, Trinidad and Tobago joined the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to join the Organization of American States (OAS). In 1995, Trinidad played host to the inaugural meeting of the Association of Caribbean States and has become the seat of this 35-member grouping, which seeks to further economic progress and integration among its states.
In international forums, Trinidad and Tobago has defined itself as having an independent voting record, but often supports U.S. and EU positions.
Trinidad and Tobago has historically been a trans-shipment point for South American drugs destined for the United States and Europe. This has created much tension in the country's politics.
Trinidad and Tobago is also a member-state of the International Criminal Court, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S. military (as covered under Article 98)
Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth of Nations
[edit]Trinidad and Tobago became an independent state in 1962<ref name="Trinidad Express Newspapers 2014 l423">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Office of the Historian 1962 y540">Template:Cite web</ref> with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago. She was represented by the Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago.Template:Citation needed
On August 1, 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations<ref name="Trinidad Guardian 2022 c327">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="BBC News 2012 u244">Template:Cite web</ref> with the last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke becoming the first President of Trinidad and Tobago.<ref name="Donovan 2011 i338">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Trinidad Guardian 1917 a170">Template:Cite web</ref>
Diplomatic relations
[edit]List of countries which Trinidad and Tobago maintains diplomatic relations with:
Bilateral relations
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 29 August 2023 | See Armenia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
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| Template:Flag | 11 April 2011 | See Azerbaijan–Trinidad and Tobago relations
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| Template:Flag | 7 January 1974 | See Australia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974<ref name=":26">Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 2 August 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 August 1972 when was accredited first ambassador of Austria to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in Caracas) Dr. Harald Godel<ref name=":23"/> |
| Template:Flag | 30 November 1966 | See Barbados–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1966<ref name=":15">Template:Cite web</ref>
|
| Template:Flag | 21 September 1981 |
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| Template:Flag | 27 July 1965 | See Brazil–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 July 1965<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a cordial and active relation. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries started in 1942 with the establishment of a Brazilian Vice-Consulate in Port-of-Spain, where later the Brazilian Embassy was open in 1965. Several mutual visits of Heads of State have occurred starting in 2008, when a MOU for cooperation on energy industry was signed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 31 August 1962 | See Canada–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both Countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1962.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Canada currently has 68,000 Trinidad and Tobagoan immigrants.
|
| Template:Flag | 3 February 1964 | See Chile–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 February 1964
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| Template:Flag | 20 June 1974 | See China–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1974<ref name=":29">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 8 December 1972 | See Cuba–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1972<ref name=":25">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 25 May 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 1972 when was accredited first High Commissioner of Cyprus to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in New York City) Mr. Andreas Jacovides<ref name=":23"/>
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| Template:Flag | 23 May 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 May 1972 when was accredited first Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to Denmark (resident in London) Dr. Patrick Vincent Joseph Solomon<ref name=":22">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 7 July 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1965 when was appointed first Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to Ethiopia Mr. George Daniel<ref name=":11">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 31 August 1962 | See France–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1962<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Bilateral relations between the countries France and Trinidad and Tobago have existed for about two hundred years.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Currently, France has an embassy in Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago is represented in France through its embassy in Brussels (Belgium). Trinidad and Tobago also has bilateral investment agreements with France.<ref>World trade and arbitration materials v. 11, nos. 1-3 (Werner Pub. Co., 1999), 24.</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 8 April 2011 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 April 2011 Georgia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago by its embassy in Brasília.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 26 May 1966 | See Guyana–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1966.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two share many similarities between each other due to their shared history in the Commonwealth of Nations along with having similar language, culture, demographics and religions. Both countries had substantial numbers of indentured servants from India and slaves from Africa imported into their country. In the 1970s, Trinidad and Tobago gave Guyana substantial oil exports on credit and in the 1990s, forgave hundred of millions of dollars of debt under the Paris Club Agreement. In 2017, Guyana established its first High Commission in Port of Spain. In 2018, Both countries signed a MOU(Memorandum of Understanding) on Energy Cooperation. |
| Template:Flag | 31 January 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 January 1974 when first Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to Haiti Mr. Charles H. Archibald presented his credentials<ref name=":27">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 31 August 1962 | See India–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1962 when the status of the Commissioner of India in Trinidad and Tobago was raised to that of High Commissioner (Ambassador)<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref> Republic of India operates a High Commission in Port of Spain,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> whilst Republic of Trinidad and Tobago operates a High Commission in New Delhi.<ref>Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in New Delhi Template:Webarchive</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 1962 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1962. The country is among the staunchest supporters of Israel in the Caribbean<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 4 January 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 January 1964 when was appointed first Ambassador of Italy to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in Venezuela) Mr. Girolamo Pignatti<ref name=":9">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 18 June 1963 | See Jamaica–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1963
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| Template:Flag | 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963 when has been accredited Ambassador of Lebanon to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in Caracas) M. Halim Shebaya.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 6 December 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 December 1965 when was accredited first ambassador of Liberia to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in Haiti) Mr. William B. Fernandez<ref name=":13">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 24 September 2009 |
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| Template:Flag | 29 April 1966 | See Mexico–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 April 1966<ref name=":14">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 6 October 1970 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 October 1970 when was accredited first High Commissioner of Nigeria ti Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Edwin Ogbu<ref name=":18">Template:Cite book</ref>
|
| Template:Flag | 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963 when Mr. S. M. Khan, Pakistan High Commissioner in Canada, has been appointed currently as High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 5 February 1968 | See Peru–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 February 1968<ref name=":16">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 18 April 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 April 2000
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| Template:Flag | 6 June 1974 | See Russia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
The Soviet Union and Trinidad and Tobago have established diplomatic relations on 6 June 1974. Both countries have interests with each other since the Soviet Union. In August 1992, Trinidad recognized Russia as the USSR's successor. Currently, Russia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago through a non-resident embassy in Georgetown (Guyana). In 2004, Sergey Lavrov and Knowlson Gift signed the protocol on the political consultations between the two Ministries. In April 2005 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago signed the cooperation agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, the Russian Cossack folk dance had nine concerts in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Couva, and Tobago. |
| Template:Flag | 5 July 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 July 1974 |
| Template:Flag | 21 November 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1964 when Trinidad Government has announced that Senegal has become the first African state to accredit an ambassador to this country. He is Mr. Ousmane Soce Diop Senegalese Ambassador in the United States , with residence in Washington.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 15 March 1974 |
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| Template:Flag | 17 July 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 July 1975 when accredited first High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Sierra Leone (resident in Lagos) Mr. J.S.Donaldson<ref name=":30">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 15 December 1971 | See Singapore–Trinidad and Tobago relations
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| Template:Flag | 10 January 1995 | See South Africa–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1995
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| Template:Flag | 15 June 1967 | See Spain–Trinidad and Tobago relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 June 1967 |
| Template:Flag | 11 January 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 January 1972 when was accredited first Ambassador of Syrian Arab Republic (resident in Caracas) Mr. Bachir El Kotb<ref name=":23"/> |
| Template:Flag | 2 July 1970 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1970 when was accredited first High Commissioner of Tanzania to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in New York City) Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim<ref name=":17">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 22 May 1972 | See Trinidad and Tobago–Turkey relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 1972<ref name=":21">Template:Cite web</ref>
|
| Template:Flag | 5 June 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 June 1974 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Uganda Mr. J. R. P. Dumas.<ref name=":28">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 31 August 1962 | See Trinidad and Tobago–United Kingdom relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1962<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 31 August 1962 | See Trinidad and Tobago–United States relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1962<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> The United States and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy cordial relations. U.S. interests there and throughout the hemisphere focus on increasing investment and trade, and ensuring more stable supplies of energy. They also include enhancing Trinidad and Tobago's political and social stability and positive regional role through assistance in drug interdiction, health issues, and legal affairs. The U.S. embassy was established in Port of Spain in 1962, replacing the former consulate-general.
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| Template:Flag | 14 September 1962 | See Trinidad and Tobago–Venezuela relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1962<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 17 February 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 1971 when first Zambia's high commissioner in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Vernon Johnson Mwaanga presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Solomon Hochoy<ref name=":19">Template:Cite book</ref> |
International organisations
[edit]On its independence in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago joined the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to join the Organization of American States (OAS).
In 1995, Trinidad played host to the inaugural meeting of the Association of Caribbean States and has become the seat of this 35-member grouping, which seeks to further economic progress and integration among its states.
As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain. As a member of CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago strongly backed efforts by the United States to bring political stability to Haiti, contributing personnel to the Multinational Force in 1994.
Trinidad and Tobago is also a member-state of the International Criminal Court, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S. military (as covered under Article 98).
In July 2013 the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro invited Trinidad and Tobago to join the Union of South American Nations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
See also
[edit]- List of diplomatic missions in Trinidad and Tobago
- List of diplomatic missions of Trinidad and Tobago
- Trinidad and Tobago passport
- War on drugs
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations Template:Foreign relations of Trinidad and Tobago Template:Foreign relations in the Caribbean Template:Americas topic Template:Foreign relations of South America