Foreign relations of Paraguay

Paraguayan foreign policy has concentrated on maintaining good relations with its neighbors, and it has been an active proponent of regional co-operation. It is a member of the United Nations and has served one term in the UN Security Council in 1967-1969. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. It also belongs to the Organization of American States, the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the Rio Group, INTERPOL, MERCOSUR (the Southern Cone Common Market) and UNASUR.

At the political level, diplomatic affairs and international relations of Paraguay are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which answers to the executive branch of the government. The current Minister of Foreign Relations as of 2018 is Luis Alberto Castiglioni.[1]

Unlike any other country in South America, Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China instead of the People's Republic of China. Although not a particularly large country in absolute terms, Paraguay presently is the largest country maintaining official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.

Bilateral Relations

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Egypt		Paraguay has an embassy in Cairo.[2] Egypt has an embassy in Asunción.[3]
SADR	2000-02-09	Paraguay recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
South Africa		Paraguay has an embassy in Pretoria. The South African Embassy at Asunción was closed in December 1996 and the Resident Ambassador to Argentina was subsequently appointed non-Resident Ambassador to Paraguay. South African also has an honorary consulate in Asuncion. Both countries are full members of the Cairns Group and G20. In April 1974, the then president of Paraguay, Alfredo Stroessner made a five-day state visit to South Africa. Paraguay was given a $20 million loan for agricultural development and agreements were signed on economic cooperation.[4][5] Gen. Stroessner became known as an ally of apartheid South Africa.[6] Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with South Africa South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Paraguay

Americas

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina	1811	See Argentina–Paraguay relations Argentina has an embassy in Asunción and consulates-general in Ciudad del Este and Encarnación). Paraguay has an embassy in Buenos Aires and consulates in Clorinda, Corrientes, Formosa, Posadas, Resistencia, Rosario and Puerto Iguazú.
Belize	7 November 2004	Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 7, 2004.[7][8] Both countries are full members of Organization of American States.
Bolivia		In 2009 Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which had led to the Chaco War in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries" [9] Relations, as with many countries in the area, have had increased tension since the Paraguay impeachment in 2012. Bolivia has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in La Paz, a consulates-general in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and a consulate in Villamontes.
Brazil		See Brazil–Paraguay relations Border of Brazil and Paraguay Paraguay–Brazil relations have improved greatly after Brazilian President Lula's decision in 2009 to triple its payments to Paraguay for energy from a massive hydro-electric dam on their border, ending a long-running dispute. Under the accord, Brazil will pay Paraguay $360m a year for energy from the jointly-operated Itaipu plant. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.[10] Brazil has an embassy in Asunción and maintains several consulates throughout the country. Paraguay has an embassy in Brasília and maintains several consulates throughout the country.
Canada		Canada is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay has an embassy in Ottawa.
Chile		Chile has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Santiago.
Colombia		See Colombia–Paraguay relations Colombia has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Bogotá.
Costa Rica		Costa Rica has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in San José.
Cuba		Cuba has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Havana.
Dominican Republic		Dominican Republic has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Santo Domingo.
Ecuador		Ecuador has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Quito.
El Salvador		El Salvador is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay is accredited to El Salvador from its embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Guatemala		Guatemala has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay is accredited to Guatemala from its embassy in Mexico City.
Guyana	14 April 1994	Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 14 April 1994.[11] Both countries are full members of Organization of American States and Union of South American Nations.
Honduras		Honduras is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires Argentina. Paraguay is accredited to Honduras from its embassy in Panama City.
Mexico	18 April 1881	See Mexico–Paraguay relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1881. Mexico has an embassy in Asunción.[12] Paraguay has an embassy in Mexico City.
Nicaragua		Nicaragua is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay is accredited to Nicaragua from its embassy in Panama City.
Panama		Panama has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Panama City.
Peru	2 May 1858	See Paraguay–Peru relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 2, 1858. Paraguay has an embassy in Lima.[13] Peru has an embassy in Asunción.[14] and an honorary consulate in Ciudad del Este.[15] Both countries are full members of the Rio Group, of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, of the Organization of American States, of the Organization of Ibero-American States and of the Union of South American Nations. Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations about the relation with Paraguay (in Spanish only)
United States		See Paraguay–United States relations A military training agreement with Asunción, giving immunity to US soldiers, caused some concern after media reports initially reported that a base housing 20,000 US soldiers was being built at Mariscal Estigarribia within 200 km of Argentina and Bolivia, and 300 km of Brazil, near an airport which could receive large planes (B-52, C-130 Hercules, etc.) which the Paraguayan Air Forces do not have.[16][17] In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects after stating that he no longer thinks that hosting troops taking part in the US department of defence's "New Horizons" programme was worthwhile. President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision.[18] Paraguay has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City. United States has an embassy in Asunción.
Uruguay	6 April 1845	See Paraguay–Uruguay relations Paraguay has an embassy in Montevideo.[19] Uruguay has an embassy in Asunción.[20]
Venezuela		Relations between Paraguay and Venezuela have improved since Paraguay's new leftist President Fernando Lugo was inaugurated, a change from 61 unbroken years of Colorado party rule. President Lugo has supported Venezuela's entry into Mercosur however the Colorado Party's influence in Paraguay's Congress and Senate retards this expansion. Paraguay and Venezuela have restarted negotiations on an unpaid debt of $250 million owed by Paraguayan oil company Petropar to its counterpart Petróleos de Venezuela after the Presidents of Paraguay and Venezuela met to deal with the financing.[21]In January, 2019, Paraguay cut its diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

Asia and Pacific

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	1992-06-02	Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 2. 1992.[22]
Republic of China(Taiwan)		See Paraguay–Taiwan relations Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China as the legitimate government of China.
India	13 September 1961	See India–Paraguay relations India is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and an honorary consulate in Asunción.[3] Since 2005, Paraguay has had an embassy in New Delhi.[23]
Japan	17 November 1919	See Japan–Paraguay relations Japan has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Tokyo.
Lebanon		Lebanon has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Beirut.
Qatar		Paraguay has an embassy in Doha. Qatar has an embassy in Asunción.
South Korea	15 June 1962	See Paraguay–South Korea relations Paraguay has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Asunción.

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Bulgaria	1992-12-02	Bulgaria is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Rome, Italy. Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations
Denmark		Paraguay is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[24] Denmark is represented in Paraguay, through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[25] Denmark also has an honorary consulate in Asunción.
France	1853	Both countries has diplomatic relations since the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation signed in 1853. France has an embassy in Asunción[26] and an honorary consulate in Ciudad del Este.[27] Paraguay has an embassy in Paris. French Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with Paraguay Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with France
Germany	1860	See Germany–Paraguay relations Germany has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate-general in Frankfurt.
Iceland		Iceland is represented in Paraguay by its embassy in Washington, United States.[28] Paraguay is represented in Iceland by its embassy in London, United Kingdom.[29]
Italy		Italy has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Rome.
Poland		Paraguay is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Poland is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Russia		See Paraguay–Russia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1992. Paraguay has an embassy in Moscow.[30] Russia is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and an honorary consulate in Asunción.[31] On September 13, 2007, Russia's acting foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, declared to soon open a resident embassy in Paraguay's capital. Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations
Serbia	1950	Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1950.[32]
Spain	10 September 1880	See Paraguay–Spain relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 10, 1880. Paraguay has an embassy in Madrid and consulates-general in Barcelona and Málaga.[33] Spain has an embassy in Asunción.[34] Both countries are full members of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, and of the Organization of Ibero-American States. Spanish Ministry of Foreign about the relation with Paraguay (in Spanish only)
Ukraine	1993-02-26	Paraguay is accredited to Ukraine from its embassy in Moscow, Russia. Ukraine is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and maintains an honorary consulate in Asunción. There is an important community of people of Ukrainian origins in Paraguay (between 10,000 and 15,000 people), most of whom arrived at the beginning of the 20th century. (See Ukrainians in Paraguay) Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations
United Kingdom	1853-03-04	United Kingdom has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in London. Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with the United Kingdom

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia		See Australia–Paraguay relations Australia's positive relations with Paraguay are growing. In 2011, Paraguay opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia opened a consulate in Asunción. As agricultural producers and exporters, they work together to achieve fairer international trade in agricultural products through membership of the Cairns Group and cooperation in other multilateral fora. Australia is also increasing its engagement with Paraguay through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. An increasing number of Paraguayan students are pursuing their education at Australian institutions.[35] Australia is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay has an embassy in Canberra.
New Zealand		New Zealand is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

International organizations

Paraguay is a member of the following international organizations:[36]

CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (also known as the World Bank), ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Rio Group, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Paraguay
• List of diplomatic missions of Paraguay

References

1. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Spanish only)". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
2. "Embapar Egipto". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
3. "Embajadas" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-06-22.
4. "General South African History Timeline". Sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
5. "South Africa security cloaks Paraguay leader's state visit (Christian Science Monitor)". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1974-04-10. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
6. "Ex-Paraguay ruler buried in exile (BBC)". BBC News. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2018-12-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
9. "Bolivia and Paraguay agree border". BBC News. April 28, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
10. "Brazil and Paraguay in power deal". BBC News. July 25, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. Embassy of Mexico in Asuncion (in Spanish)
13. "Paraguayan embassy in Lima (in Spanish only)". Mre.gov.py. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
14. "Peruvian embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only)". Embperu.com.py. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
15. http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy24371/
16. "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations". International Relations Center. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12. Retrieved April 2006. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
17. US Marines put a foot in Paraguay, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (in Spanish)
18. "Paraguay cancels US troops deal - Americas". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
19. "Paraguayan embassy in Montevideo (in Spanish only)". Geocities.com. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
20. Uruguayan embassy in Asuncion (in Spanish only) Archived 2009-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
21. Archived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
23. "Embajada India". Mre.gov.py. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
24. "Embassy of Paraguay in Denmark". VisaHQm. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
25. Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
26. French embassy in Asuncion (in French and Spanish only) Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
27. http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy12960/
30. "Paraguayan embassy in Moscow". Embapar.ru. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
31. "Russia declares its intention to open a resident embassy in Asunción". En.rian.ru. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
33. Embassy of Paraguay in Madrid (in Spanish)
34. Embassy of Spain in Asuncion (in Spanish)
35. http://dfat.gov.au/geo/paraguay/paraguay_brief.html
36. "CIA World Factbook - Paraguay". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2011-03-10.

External links

• Foreign Ministry of Paraguay (in Spanish)