View source for Foreign relations of the Cook Islands

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Politics of the Cook Islands}}
The [[Cook Islands]] maintains [[diplomacy|diplomatic relations]] with various countries and is a member of multilateral organisations. While the country is in [[political status of the Cook Islands and Niue|free association]] with [[New Zealand]], which can act on the Cook Islands' "delegated authority [...] to assist the Cooks Islands" in foreign affairs,<ref name="clause4">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfai.gov.ck/attachments/068_WELLINGTON-1129712-v1-CookIslands%20%20Constitutional%20Status%20and%20International%20Personality%20%20informationpaper.pdf |title=Cook Islands: Constitutional status and international personality |publisher=Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration |page=2 |access-date=2015-01-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000423/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/attachments/068_WELLINGTON-1129712-v1-CookIslands%20%20Constitutional%20Status%20and%20International%20Personality%20%20informationpaper.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> the Cook Islands nevertheless enters into treaty obligations and otherwise "interacts with the international community as a sovereign and independent state."<ref name="clause4" />

== History ==
In the 1980s the Cook Islands became a member of several [[United Nations]] specialized agencies: the [[World Health Organization]] in 1984, the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] and [[UNESCO]] in 1985, and the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] in 1986. The ''Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs'' records that in 1988 New Zealand declared "that its future participation in international agreements would no longer extend to the Cook Islands..."<ref name="para11">[http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf#xml=http://legal.un.org/dtSearch/dtisapi6.dll?cmd=getpdfhits&DocId=1206&Index=D%3a%5csites%5clegal%5crepertory%5cdtSearch%5cIndexes%5cEnglish%2dAnglais%2dIngles%2dRepertory&HitCount=20&hits=1049+104a+105c+105d+107f+1080+1085+1086+10a6+10a7+10bc+10bd+1103+1104+110a+110b+1134+1135+1158+1159+&.pdf Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs, Supplement No. 8, Volume VI at para 11] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019223055/http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf |date=2013-10-19 }}</ref> In 1991 the Cook Islands became a full member of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Preparatory Committee and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change (INC), which the ''Repertory of Practice'' describes as "further evidence that the international community had accepted the Cook Islands as a “State” under international law."<ref name="para11" /> The United Nations Secretariat therefore "recognized the full treaty-making capacity of the Cook Islands" in 1992<ref name="para11" /> and the Secretary-General, in his capacity as the depository of multilateral treaties, decided that the Cook Islands could participate in treaties that were open to "all states".<ref>[https://treaties.un.org/doc/source/publications/practice/summary_english.pdf Summary of Practice of the Secretary-General as Depositary of Multilateral Treaties (United Nations, New York, 1999) at para 86]</ref>

== Diplomatic relations ==
List of countries with which the Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
! colspan="3" |[[File:Diplomatic relations of Cook Islands.svg|frameless|425x425px]]
|-
! #
!Country
!Date
|-
|1
|{{Flag|Norway}}
|{{dts|18 July 1991}}<ref>{{cite web |date=1999-04-27 |title=Norges opprettelse av diplomatiske forbindelser med fremmede stater. |trans-title=Norway's establishment of diplomatic relations with foreign states |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/departementene/ud/vedlegg/protokoll/diplomatiske_forbindelser.pdf |access-date=2017-12-02 |language=no}}</ref>
|-
|2
|{{Flag|Malaysia}}
|{{dts|2 May 1992}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senarai tarikh penubuhan hubungan diplomatik Malaysia dan negara - negara luar |url=https://www.data.gov.my/data/dataset/30411e5d-8c25-47fb-940e-0d51149afe20/resource/fc684f56-c8bb-4f65-ab65-8eb5e68c9b5d/download/01-tarikh-penubuhan-hubungan-diplomatik-malaysia.xlsx |access-date=13 November 2021 |language=ms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923190610/https://www.data.gov.my/data/dataset/30411e5d-8c25-47fb-940e-0d51149afe20/resource/fc684f56-c8bb-4f65-ab65-8eb5e68c9b5d/download/01-tarikh-penubuhan-hubungan-diplomatik-malaysia.xlsx|archive-date=23 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|3
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}
|{{dts|1993}}<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration |date=2015 |title=Foreign Affairs |url=http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/foreign-affairs.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018090642/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/foreign-affairs.html |archive-date=2015-10-18 |access-date=2015-10-08 |publisher=Cook Islands Government}}</ref>
|-
|4
|{{Flag|Australia}}
|{{dts|1994}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|5
|{{Flag|Nauru}}
|{{dts|1994}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|6
|{{Flag|Portugal}}
|{{dts|12 August 1995}}<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Ilhas Cook |url=https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/relacoesbilaterais/paises-geral/ilhas-cook |access-date=2 July 2022 |language=pt}}</ref>
|-
|7
|{{Flag|Papua New Guinea}}
|{{dts|1995}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|8
|{{Flag|South Africa}}
|{{dts|9 February 1996}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cook Islands |url=https://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/bilateral/cook.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913071432/https://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/bilateral/cook.html |archive-date=13 September 2015 |access-date=20 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|9
|{{Flag|Iran}}
|{{dts|1996}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|10
|{{Flag|China}}
|{{dts|25 July 1997}}<ref name="PRC 25 July 1997">{{Cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=Joint Communique Between the People's Republic of China and the Cook Islands on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations |url=http://nz.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/jbwzlm/kkqd/200310/t20031027_961282.html |publisher=Embassy of the People's Republic of China to New Zealand|access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|11
|{{Flag|Spain}}
|{{dts|29 January 1998}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Islas Cook |url=https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/ISLASCOOK_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf |access-date=21 May 2023 |page=3 |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|12
|{{Flag|India}}
|{{dts|May 1998}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |year=2000 |volume=3960–3971 |pages=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Former High Commissioners |url=https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/page/former-high-commissioners/ |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|13
|{{Flag|Fiji}}
|{{dts|14 July 1998}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Formal diplomatic relations list |url=http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/images/FDR_LIST_version_of_6_June_2016.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827171052/http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/images/FDR_LIST_version_of_6_June_2016.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2019 |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
|—
|{{Flag|Holy See}}
|{{dts|29 April 1999}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diplomatic relations of the Holy See |url=https://holyseemission.org/contents/mission/diplomatic-relations-of-the-holy-see.php |access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
|14
|{{Flag|France}}
|{{dts|19 October 1999}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liste Chronologique des Ambassadeurs, Envoyés Extraordinaires, Ministres Plénipotentiaires et Chargés D'Affaires de France à L'Étranger Depuis 1945 |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/maep0035-0120_cle8a5377.pdf |page=52 |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
|15
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|{{dts|11 September 2001}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-05-13 |title=Deutschland und die Cookinseln: Bilaterale Beziehungen |url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/laender/cookinseln-node/bilateral/226556 |access-date=2020-05-27 |publisher=German Foreign Ministry}}</ref>
|-
|16
|{{Flag|Cuba}}
|{{dts|2 September 2002}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2007 |title=Cuba e Islas Cook festejan 15 años de relaciones diplomáticas. |url=https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/es/articulo/cuba-e-islas-cook-festejan-15-anos-de-relaciones-diplomaticas |access-date=21 May 2023 |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|17
|{{Flag|Timor-Leste}}
|{{dts|2002}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|18
|{{Flag|Jamaica}}
|{{dts|14 May 2003}}<ref>{{cite web |year=2014 |title=Countries with which Jamaica has Established Diplomatic Relations |url=http://www.mfaft.gov.jm/jm/establishment-of-diplomatic-relations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308040029/http://mfaft.gov.jm/jm/establishment-of-diplomatic-relations |archive-date=2016-03-08 |access-date=2016-01-27 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica}}</ref>
|-
|19
|{{Flag|Italy}}
|{{dts|9 October 2003}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=STATI DI SERVIZIO DEL PERSONALE DELLA CARRIERA DIPLOMATICA E DELLA DIRIGENZA DEL MINISTERO DEGLI AFFARI ESTERI CHE HA CESSATO DI FAR PARTE DELL'AMMINISTRAZIONE DAL 1° GENNAIO 2000 AL 30 MAGGIO 2014 |url=https://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2015/01/stati_servizio_cessati.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724115630/https://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2015/01/stati_servizio_cessati.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=21 May 2023 |language=it}}</ref>
|-
|20
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|{{dts|6 April 2005}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2005 |title=SERVICE PUBLIC FEDERAL AFFAIRES ETRANGERES, COMMERCE EXTERIEUR ET COOPERATION AU DEVELOPPEMENT |url=https://etaamb.openjustice.be/fr/accord-international-du-06-avril-2005_n2005015061 |access-date=9 December 2021 |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
|21
|{{Flag|Thailand}}
|{{dts|24 May 2005}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=หมู่เกาะคุก (Cook Islands) |url=https://www.mfa.go.th/th/content/5d5bd21415e39c3060027c8f?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c3060006875 |access-date=21 May 2023 |language=th}}</ref>
|-
|22
|{{Flag|Israel}}
|{{dts|April 2008}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 July 2017 |title=The Cook Islands |url=https://embassies.gov.il/wellington/Relations/Pages/Cook-Islands.aspx |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|23
|{{Flag|Czech Republic}}
|{{dts|12 May 2008}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-01-10 |title=Souhrnná teritoriální informace Cookovy ostrovy |trans-title=Summary of territorial information Cook Islands |url=http://www.mzv.cz/public/57/6e/bf/765383_676903__111001_STI_COOKOVY_OSTROVY.pdf |access-date=2012-10-13 |publisher=Czech Embassy Canberra & Czech Consulate Sydney |language=cs}}</ref>
|-
|24
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|{{dts|20 October 2008}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic |date=2011 |title=Türkiye–Cook Adaları Siyasi İlişkileri |trans-title=Turkey-Cook Islands Political Relations |url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye-cook-siyasi-iliskileri.tr.mfa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218132710/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye-cook-siyasi-iliskileri.tr.mfa |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2015-10-09 |language=tr}}</ref>
|-
|25
|{{Flag|Switzerland}}
|{{dts|7 March 2011}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration |date=2011-03-07 |title=Cook Islands and Switzerland establish diplomatic relations |url=http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/149-cook-islands-and-switzerland-establish-diplomatic-relations.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023051145/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/149-cook-islands-and-switzerland-establish-diplomatic-relations.html |archive-date=2015-10-23 |access-date=2015-10-09 |publisher=Cook Islands Government}}</ref>
|-
|26
|{{Flag|Japan}}
|{{Dts|16 June 2011}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-06-20 |title=Establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Cook Islands and a courtesy call by Mr Takeaki Matsumoto, Foreign Minister of Japan to Hon Henry Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands |url=http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/documents/Establishment%20of%20diplomatic%20relations%20between%20Japan%20and%20the%20Cook%20Islands%20and%20courtesy%20call%20%20Mr%20Takeaki%20Matsumoto.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917183247/http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/documents/Establishment%20of%20diplomatic%20relations%20between%20Japan%20and%20the%20Cook%20Islands%20and%20courtesy%20call%20%20Mr%20Takeaki%20Matsumoto.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-17 |access-date=2015-10-09 |publisher=Embassy of Japan in New Zealand}}</ref>
|-
|27
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|{{dts|16 August 2011}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration |date=2011-08-16 |title=Cook Islands and Netherlands establish diplomatic relations |url=http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/168-cook-islands-and-netherlands-establish-diplomatic-relations.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023050706/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/168-cook-islands-and-netherlands-establish-diplomatic-relations.html |archive-date=2015-10-23 |access-date=2015-10-09 |publisher=Cook Islands Government}}</ref>
|-
|28
|{{Flag|Philippines}}
|{{dts|12 December 2011}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration |date=2011-12-16 |title=The Cook Islands and the Philippines Establish Formal Diplomatic Ties |url=http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/182-the-cook-islands-and-the-philippines-establish-formal-diplomatic-ties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016023504/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/news/19-general/182-the-cook-islands-and-the-philippines-establish-formal-diplomatic-ties.html |archive-date=2015-10-16 |access-date=2015-10-09 |publisher=Cook Islands Government}}</ref>
|-
|29
|{{Flag|Singapore}}
|{{dts|6 August 2012}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Singapore established bilateral relations with Niue and Cook Islands on 6 August 2012 |url=http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/countries_and_region/oceania/the_pacific_islands.printable.html?status=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727041138/http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/countries_and_region/oceania/the_pacific_islands.printable.html?status=1 |archive-date=27 July 2014 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore |quote=Singapore has established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands, ... Niue, ...}}</ref>
|-
|30
|{{Flag|South Korea}}
|{{dts|22 February 2013}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzl-wellington.mofa.go.kr/webmodule/htsboard/template/read/legengreadboard.jsp?typeID=16&boardid=13329&seqno=692071&c=TITLE&t=cook&pagenum=1&tableName=TYPE_ENGLEGATIO&pc=&dc=&wc=&lu=&vu=&iu=&du=|title=KOREA ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE COOK ISLANDS|date=25 February 2013|access-date=21 October 2014|quote=The Cook Islands will mark the 190th country with which Korea has forged diplomatic relations.|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070933/http://nzl-wellington.mofa.go.kr/webmodule/htsboard/template/read/legengreadboard.jsp?typeID=16&boardid=13329&seqno=692071&c=TITLE&t=cook&pagenum=1&tableName=TYPE_ENGLEGATIO&pc=&dc=&wc=&lu=&vu=&iu=&du=|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|31
|{{Flag|Samoa}}
|{{dts|30 August 2013|format=dmy}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foreign Affairs & Trade Bulletin |url=https://www.mfat.gov.ws/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Bulletin-JANUARY-MARCH-2014.pdf |access-date=18 June 2022 |page=2}}</ref>
|-
|32
|{{Flag|Tuvalu}}
|{{dts|August 2013|format=dmy}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2013 |title=Tuvalu PM visits Rarotonga |url=https://issuu.com/cinews/docs/cook-islands-news-2013-10-30/9 |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=Cook Islands News |page=9}}</ref>
|-
|33
|{{Flag|Solomon Islands}}
|{{dts|1 September 2013}}<ref>{{cite web |date=1 June 2020 |title=Solomon Islands Diplomatic and Consular List |url=http://www.mfaet.gov.sb/resources/publications/22-foreign-affairs-p/61-solomon-islands-diplomatic-and-consular-list.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812053600/http://www.mfaet.gov.sb/resources/publications/22-foreign-affairs-p/61-solomon-islands-diplomatic-and-consular-list.html |archive-date=12 August 2021 |access-date=12 December 2020 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands |pages=36–38}}</ref>
|-
|34
|{{Flag|Kiribati}}
|{{Date table sorting|3 September 2013}}<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=4 September 2013 |title=Cook Island establishes diplomatic relations with Kiribati, Palau and Marshall Islands |url=http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=126043295226c6b1451e729005ef5c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073424/http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=126043295226c6b1451e729005ef5c |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|35
|{{Flag|Marshall Islands}}
|{{Date table sorting|3 September 2013}}<ref name=":1" />
|-
|36
|{{Flag|Palau}}
|{{Date table sorting|3 September 2013}}<ref name=":1" />
|-
|—
|{{Flag|Niue}}
|{{dts|2013}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|37
|{{Flag|Vanuatu}}
|{{dts|2013}}<ref name=":0" />
|-
|38
|{{Flag|Federated States of Micronesia}}
|{{Date table sorting|24 September 2014}}<ref name="Dates">{{cite web |title=FSM Diplomatic Relations List |url=http://www.fsmgov.org/diprel.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |publisher=Government of the Federated States of Micronesia}}</ref>
|-
|39
|{{Flag|Tonga}}
|{{Dts|18 November 2014}}<ref>{{cite web |date=20 November 2014 |title=Diplomatic relations with all Pacific Island Forum members complete |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/49268-diplomatic-relations-with-all-pacific-island-forum-members-complete |access-date=9 October 2015 |website=Cook Islands News}}</ref>
|-
|—
|{{Flag|Kosovo}}
|{{Date table sorting|28 May 2015}}<ref name="Visoka">{{cite book |author1=Gëzim Visoka |title=Acting Like a State: Kosovo and the Everyday Making of Statehood |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781138285330 |location=Abingdon |pages=219–221}}</ref>
|-
|40
|{{Flag|Brazil}}
|{{dts|21 August 2015}}<ref>{{Citation |title=Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Brazil and the Cook Islands |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF2CMgoIA7Q |access-date=2015-09-01}}</ref>
|-
|41
|{{Flag|Chile}}
|{{dts|3 August 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |date=4 August 2016 |title=His Excellency Isauro Torres Negri, Ambassador of Chile and His Excellency Mario Alzugaray Rodriguez, Ambassador of Cuba both presented their credentials to the Queens Representative, His Excellency Tom Marsters at Government House 3rd August 2016. |url=https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/photos/a.411410665691846.1073741829.252224024943845/639492036217040/?type=3 |access-date=2017-10-11 |publisher=Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration}}</ref>
|-
|42
|{{Flag|Peru}}
|{{dts|September 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-10-05 |title=The Cook Islands expand relations with Latin American countries |url=https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/photos/a.411410665691846.1073741829.252224024943845/869771546522420/?type=3&theater |access-date=2017-10-09 |publisher=Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration}}</ref>
|-
|43
|{{Flag|Malta}}
|{{dts|6 October 2017}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joint communique |url=https://foreign.gov.mt/en/Treaties%20Series/Documents/Joint%20Communique%20-%20The%20Cook%20Islands.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521000000/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:CUEDn5vkSO0J:https://foreign.gov.mt/en/Treaties%2520Series/Documents/Joint%2520Communique%2520-%2520The%2520Cook%2520Islands.pdf&cd=2&hl=da&ct=clnk&gl=dk&client=safari |archive-date=21 May 2023 |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|44
|{{Flag|Iceland}}
|{{dts|13 October 2017}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iceland - Establishment of Diplomatic Relations |url=https://www.government.is/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/protocol/establishment-of-diplomatic-relations/ |access-date=1 August 2021 |website=Government of Iceland}}</ref>
|-
|45
|{{Flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
|{{dts|9 November 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-11-15 |title=Antigua and Barbuda Establishes Diplomatic Relations with the Cook Islands |url=https://antiguachronicle.net/antigua-and-barbuda-establishes-diplomatic-relations-with-the-cook-islands/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116075025/https://antiguachronicle.net/antigua-and-barbuda-establishes-diplomatic-relations-with-the-cook-islands/ |archive-date=2017-11-16 |access-date=2017-11-21 |website=Antigua Chronicle}}</ref>
|-
|46
|{{Flag|United Arab Emirates}}
|{{dts|5 August 2018}}<ref>{{cite web |date=5 August 2018 |title=UAE, Cook Islands sign deal to establish diplomatic relations |url=http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/db080783-fed9-4e69-aba2-5556c67f5f63.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806113102/http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/db080783-fed9-4e69-aba2-5556c67f5f63.aspx |archive-date=6 August 2018 |access-date=5 August 2018 |website=The Gulf Today}}</ref>
|-
|47
|{{Flag|Estonia}}
|{{dts|25 August 2018}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-10-25 |title=Estonia and Cook Islands establish diplomatic relations |url=https://vm.ee/en/news/estonia-and-cook-islands-establish-diplomatic-relations |access-date=2018-11-11 |publisher=MFA Estonia}}</ref>
|-
|48
|{{Flag|Hungary}}
|{{dts|20 September 2018}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2018 |title=Cook Islands formalize diplomatic relations with Hungary |url=https://www.facebook.com/thecookislandsinnewzealand/posts/thursday-20-september-2018-cook-islands-formalize-diplomatic-relations-with-hung/2415250545168668/ |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=[[Facebook]]}}</ref>
|-
|49
|{{Flag|Greece}}
|{{dts|20 October 2018}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-10-22 |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announcement on the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands |url=https://www.mfa.gr/australia/en/the-embassy/news/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-announcement-on-the-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations-with-the-cook-islands.html |access-date=2018-11-11 |publisher=Embassy of Greece in Canberra}}</ref>
|-
|50
|{{Flag|Indonesia}}
|{{dts|12 July 2019}}<ref>{{cite news |date=12 July 2019 |title=Indonesia Buka Hubungan Diplomatik dengan Niue dan Kepulauan Cook |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4621706/indonesia-buka-hubungan-diplomatik-dengan-niue-dan-kepulauan-cook |access-date=2 January 2025 |work=detikNews |lang=id}}</ref>
|-
|51
|{{Flag|Kuwait}}
|{{dts|8 December 2021}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 December 2021 |title=Kuwait signs a joint statement with the Cook Islands to establish diplomatic relations |url=https://irshadgul.com/kuwait-signs-a-joint-statement-with-the-cook-islands-to-establish-diplomatic-relations/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923132057/https://irshadgul.com/kuwait-signs-a-joint-statement-with-the-cook-islands-to-establish-diplomatic-relations/ |archive-date=23 September 2022 |access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>
|-
|52
|{{Flag|Vietnam}}
|{{dts|26 April 2022}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2022 |title=Vietnam, Cook Islands Establish Diplomatic Relations |url=https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/vietnam-cook-islands-establish-diplomatic-relations-41717.html |access-date=29 April 2023}}</ref>
|-
|53
|{{Flag|Ireland}}
|{{dts|21 November 2022}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2022 |title=COOK ISLANDS AND IRELAND COMMIT TO STRENGTHEN CO-OPERATION |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/taxonomy/term/16 |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|54
|{{Flag|Saudi Arabia}}
|{{dts|11 April 2023}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 April 2023 |title=Saudi Arabia, Cook Islands sign protocol to establish diplomatic relations between them |url=https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/631562/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-Cook-Islands-sign-protocol-to-establish-diplomatic-relations-between-them |access-date=12 April 2023}}</ref>
|-
|55
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|{{dts|20 May 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=COOK ISLANDS AND CANADA ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/cook-islands-and-canada-establish-diplomatic-relations |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=mfai.gov.ck}}</ref>
|-
|56
|{{Flag|United States}}
|{{dts|25 September 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and the Cook Islands |url=https://www.state.gov/on-the-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations-between-the-united-states-and-the-cook-islands/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|57
|{{Flag|Ghana}}
|{{dts|8 November 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=Marking a milestone in our relations with Pacific countries, today in Rarotonga the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Hon. @MarkBrownPM and I signed an MOU to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries. |url=https://twitter.com/AyorkorBotchwey/status/1722175873695338538 |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|58
|{{flag|Mexico}}
|{{DTS|21 November 2023}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bravo |first=Alfredo Pérez |date=21 November 2023 |title=México fortalece su presencia en el Pacífico Sur. Con la Alta Comisionada HE Kairangi Samuela, tuve el honor de realizar el canje de notas con el cual se reconoció la existencia de relaciones diplomáticas entre México e Islas Cook. |url=https://twitter.com/PerezBravoA/status/1726743575101378743 |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|59
|{{flag|Panama}}
|{{DTS|8 March 2024}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2024 |title=THE COOK ISLANDS FORMALISE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH PANAMA |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/cook-islands-formalise-diplomatic-relations-panama |access-date=9 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
|60
|{{Flag|Bangladesh}}
|{{dts|11 April 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2024 |title=Cook Islands and Bangladesh Establish Diplomatic Relations |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/cook-islands-and-bangladesh-establish-diplomatic-relations |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Government of the Cook Islands}}</ref>
|-
|61
|{{Flag|Ecuador}}
|{{dts|21 May 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=Ecuador firma un acuerdo con Islas Cook, que beneficia a la flota pesquera |url=https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/economia/ecuador-firma-acuerdo-islas-cook-beneficia-flota-pesquera-200986.html |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|62
|{{Flag|Seychelles}}
|{{dts|31 May 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2024 |title=Seychelles and Cooks Islands formalise diplomatic relations on margins of SIDS4 |url=http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/category/7/articles/20651/Seychelles+and+Cooks+Islands+formalise+diplomatic+relations+on+margins+of+SIDS}}</ref>
|-
|63
|{{Flag|Poland}}
|{{dts|20 March 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2025 |title=Diplomatic and consular relations established between Republic of Poland and Cook Islands |url=https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/diplomatic-and-consular-relations-established-between-republic-of-poland-and-cook-islands |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland}}</ref>
|-
|64
|{{Flag|Azerbaijan}}
|{{dts|29 April 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=The Cook Islands and Azerbaijan Formalise Diplomatic Ties |url=https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/posts/the-cook-islands-and-azerbaijan-formalise-diplomatic-tiesrarotonga-30-april-2025/1108292951337304/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration's on Facebook}}</ref>
|}

==Bilateral relations==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|{{Flag|China}}||1997<ref name="PRC 25 July 1997" />||{{Main|China–Cook Islands relations}}
The Chinese Embassy to New Zealand in [[Wellington, New Zealand|Wellington]] is also accredited to the Cook Islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=China-Cook Islands |url=http://nz.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zgykkgx/ |publisher=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand |access-date=16 February 2025}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flag|India}}||1998<ref name="MEA2016">{{cite web |date=15 January 2016 |title=India – Cook Islands Relations |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Cook_Islands_15_01_2016.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429105023/http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Cook_Islands_15_01_2016.pdf |archive-date=29 April 2016 |access-date=22 April 2017 |website=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India}}</ref>||{{Main|Cook Islands–India relations}}
*The Indian High Commission in [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] is accredited to the Cook Islands.<ref name="MEA2016" />
|-
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}||1993<ref name=":0" />||{{Main|Cook Islands–New Zealand relations}}
* The Cook Islands maintains a High Commission in [[Wellington]] and a Consul-General in Auckland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overseas Mission |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/overseas-mission |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Cook Islands Government |access-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301183205/https://mfai.gov.ck/overseas-mission |archive-date=1 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* New Zealand maintains a High Commission in [[Rarotonga]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand High Commission to the Cook Islands |url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands/new-zealand-high-commission-to-the-cook-islands/ |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (New Zealand)|New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] |access-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417232747/https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands/new-zealand-high-commission-to-the-cook-islands/ |archive-date=17 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flag|United States}} || 2023<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/25/politics/new-us-diplomatic-relations/index.html | title=US recognizes Cook Islands and Niue as independent states &#124; CNN Politics | website=[[CNN]] | date=September 25, 2023}}</ref> ||{{Main|Cook Islands–United States relations}}
The Cook Islands signed the [[Cook Islands–United States Maritime Boundary Treaty]] in 1980.<ref>
Anderson, Ewan W. (2003). ''International Boundaries: A Geopolitical Atlas,'' p. 595; Charney, Jonathan I. ''et al.'' (2005). ''International Maritime Boundaries,'' 5 vols, pp. 985–993.</ref>  The US established diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands in 25 September 2023.<ref name="cnn.com" />
|}

== Consular relations ==

The following countries have established consular relations with the Cook Islands only.
*{{Flag|Monaco}} 2007 or before{{#tag:ref|Cook Islands [[Honorary Consul]] is appointed to and acknowledged in Monaco since 2007 or before.<ref>[http://cookislands.de/index.php?did=Journal_de_Monaco_Ordonnance_Souveraine_No._1.259_du_10_aout_2007_(www.gouv.mc).pdf Ordonnance Souveraine n° 1.259 du 10 août 2007 auto risant à exercer les fonctions de Consul honoraire des Iles Cook dans Notre Principauté. (Journal de Monaco Bulletin Officiel de la Principautè)]</ref><ref>[http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/contact-us/overseas-offices/64-principality-of-monaco.html Honorary Consul in Monaco] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130103229/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/index.php/contact-us/overseas-offices/64-principality-of-monaco.html |date=2016-01-30 }}</ref>|group="note"}}

== International organisation participation ==

[[File:43rd Pacific43rd Pacific Islands Forum, Cook Islands. Islands Forum, Cook Islands. (10656271245).jpg|thumb|43rd [[Pacific Islands Forum]], in the Cook Islands, 28.8.-1.9.2012]]

* [[African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States|ACP]], [[Alliance of Small Island States|AOSIS]], [[Asian Development Bank|AsDB]], [[United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|ESCAP]] (associate), [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[International Criminal Court|ICC]], [[International Confederation of Free Trade Unions|ICFTU]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fijione.tv/cook-islands-joins-ilo/ |title=Cook Islands joins ILO |author=Zabeena |date=2015-06-22 |access-date=2015-10-08 |publisher=Fiji Television Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015103049/http://fijione.tv/cook-islands-joins-ilo/ |archive-date=2015-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]], [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|OPCW]], [[Pacific Islands Forum]], [[International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|Red Cross/Red Crescent]], [[South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission]], [[Sparteca]], [[Secretariat of the Pacific Community|SPC]], [[UNESCO]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cook-islands/ |title=The World Factbook 2020: Cook Islands |publisher=CIA |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>
* [[Commonwealth of Nations]] – the Cook Islands are part of the Commonwealth, but is not a member state, being a dependency of New Zealand, whose Commonwealth membership covers the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, as well as New Zealand itself.
* In November 2011, the Cook Islands were one of the eight founding members of [[Polynesian Leaders Group]], a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment.<ref>[http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/nz-may-be-invited-to-join-proposed-polynesian-triangle-ginger-group/ "NZ may be invited to join proposed ‘Polynesian Triangle’ ginger group"], Pacific Scoop, 19 September 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=64516 "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa"], Radio New Zealand International, 18 November 2011</ref><ref name="Savali">{{cite news |title=American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed |url=https://www.samoanews.com/american-samoa-joins-poly-leaders-group-mou-signed |access-date=30 July 2020 |work=Samoa News |agency=Savalii |date=20 November 2011}}</ref>
*The Cook Islands participate in the [[International Maritime Organization]], the United Nations regulatory body for the shipping trade.

== Participation in international treaties and conventions ==

* Party to the following treaties and conventions: [[Biodiversity Convention]], [[Cotonou Agreement]], [[Geneva Conventions]], [[Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants|POPs Project]], [[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification]], [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|UNCLOS]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] and its [[Kyoto protocol]], [[Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards]], [[Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty]],{{#tag:ref|including the Facility Agreement with the [[Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctbto.org/press-centre/press-releases/2000/cook-islands-tenth-state-signatory-to-have-signed-facility-agreement/ |title=Cook Islands tenth State signatory to have signed Facility Agreement |author=CBTO Preparatory Commission |access-date=2015-10-09}}</ref>|group=note}} [[International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation]], [[Biological Weapons Convention]], Convention of the [[International Mobile Satellite Organization]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imso.org/public/MemberStates |title=Member States |author=International Mobile Satellite Organization |date=2015 |access-date=2015-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909235808/http://imso.org/member_states.asp |archive-date=2013-09-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== See also==

* [[List of diplomatic missions of the Cook Islands]]
* [[List of diplomatic missions in the Cook Islands]]
* [[Foreign relations of Niue]]
* [[Foreign relations of New Zealand]]
* [[Politics of the Cook Islands]]

==Notes==

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101010045946/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/ Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120224202803/http://www.kreddha.org/mapping/downloads/080207_Cook_Islands.pdf Cook Islands analysis]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160129075739/http://www.cookislands.de/index.php?did=cookisstatus.pdf The Cook Islands’ unique constitutional and international status]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160129080008/http://www.cookislands.de/index.php?did=CI_reps_chronological_list.pdf Cook Islands Representatives Overseas 2006]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110831072118/http://www.mfai.gov.ck/attachments/065_Diplomatic%20Relations%20List%202011.pdf Diplomatic Relations List 2011]

{{Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{Foreign relations of the Cook Islands}}
{{Foreign relations of Oceania}}

[[Category:Foreign relations of the Cook Islands| ]]
[[Category:Cook Islands and the Commonwealth of Nations]]