Foreign relations of Tonga

Tonga, by a modification of its treaty of friendship with the United Kingdom in July 1970, is responsible for its own external affairs. It maintains cordial relations with most countries and has close relations with its Pacific neighbors and the United Kingdom. In 1998, it recognized the People's Republic of China and broke relations with Taiwan. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/204544.stm |title=Tonga breaks relations with Taiwan |publisher=BBC |date=1998-10-30 |accessdate=2008-06-10] Tonga has an "everlasting" friendship-treaty with Germany, that was originally signed in the 1870s by the German Reich.Fact|date=December 2007 However, its first ever treaty with a foreign power was signed in 1855 with the French Republic. This treaty effectively allowed Catholics to remain in Tonga.Fact|date=December 2007

International organization participation

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

International disputes

In 1972, Tonga laid claim to, and invaded, the tide-washed, isolated Minerva Reefs, some 480 kilometers southwest of Nuku'olofa, to thwart efforts by a private group, Ocean Life Research Foundation, to establish an independent Republic of Minerva (now the Principality of Minerva) on the reefs and surrounding quays. In November 2005, Fiji laid a complaint with the International Seabed Authority claiming ownership of the reefs. [cite web |url=http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2005/November/11-01-15.htm |title=Fiji, Tonga dispute ownership of reef |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2005-11-01 ]

ee also

*Tongan diplomatic missions
*Tonga-Fiji relations
*Tonga-United States relations

References