Foreign relations of South Africa

The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as a dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly southern Africa. South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006, 2010 and 2018 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council.^[1][2] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chair of the African Union from 2020 to 2021, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.^[3]

History

Pre-apartheid

South Africa, as a key member of the British Empire and Commonwealth as a Dominion, fought alongside the United Kingdom and the Allies in both World War I and World War II, and it participated in the postwar UN force in the Korean War. South Africa was a founding member of the League of Nations and in 1927 established a Department of External Affairs with diplomatic missions in the main Western European countries and in the United States.

Apartheid (1948–1994)

Main article: Foreign relations of apartheid South Africa

South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasingly isolated internationally until apartheid was abolished in 1991 and racial equality introduced between 1990 and 1993. This transition produced a change in South Africa's foreign policy. The country stopped trying to regain regional hegemony and started to behave as a central hub for co-operation as a regional unipole.

Post-apartheid (since 1994)

Having emerged from the international isolation of the apartheid era, South Africa has become a leading international actor. Its principal foreign policy objective is to develop good relations with all countries, especially its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (*-see note below) and the other members of the African Union. South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe. In August 1998, South Africa assumed the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which it relinquished in July 2002.

Eswatini has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi kingdom.

Commonwealth of Nations

South Africa was a Dominion of the British Empire and the Commonwealth from 1910 until 1961.

South Africa was a republic outside the Commonwealth from 1961 to 1994, then it became a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 June 1994.

United Nations Security Council

South Africa was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from October 2006 until 2008.

South African votes in the UNSC have not been without controversy. In particular, a 'no' vote on a resolution criticising the Burmese government attracted widespread criticism.^[4]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which South Africa maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date[5][6][7]
1	Italy	31 October 1929[8]
2	United States	5 November 1929[9]
3	Netherlands	25 November 1929[10][11]
4	United Kingdom	10 March 1931[12]
5	Belgium	28 August 1933[13]
6	France	5 November 1934[14]
7	Sweden	30 November 1934[15][16]
8	Portugal	1934[15]
9	Canada	11 September 1939[17]
10	Greece	2 September 1941[18]
11	Denmark	1 January 1946[19]
12	Norway	16 June 1946[20]
13	Australia	August 1946[21]
14	Argentina	10 September 1947[22]
15	Brazil	31 January 1948[23]
16	Chile	May 1948[24]
17	Finland	15 May 1949[25]
18	Luxembourg	1949[26]
19	Spain	18 May 1951[27]
20	Germany	14 August 1951[28]
21	Switzerland	11 March 1952[29]
22	Austria	5 October 1955[30]
23	Bolivia	1967[31]
24	Malawi	10 September 1967[32]
25	Uruguay	22 April 1968[33]
26	Paraguay	3 April 1974[34]
27	Israel	January 1975[35]
28	Hungary	24 July 1991[36]
29	Estonia	4 November 1991[37]
30	Latvia	4 November 1991[38]
31	Lithuania	20 November 1991[39]
32	Romania	21 November 1991[40]
33	Poland	18 December 1991[41]
34	Japan	13 January 1992
35	Kyrgyzstan	26 January 1992[42]
36	Bulgaria	2 February 1992
37	Russia	28 February 1992
38	Kazakhstan	5 March 1992
39	Ukraine	16 March 1992[43]
40	Serbia	2 April 1992
41	Azerbaijan	29 April 1992[44]
42	Tajikistan	5 May 1992
43	Turkmenistan	11 May 1992[45]
44	Ivory Coast	21 May 1992
45	Lesotho	21 May 1992
46	Moldova	15 June 1992[46]
47	Armenia	23 June 1992[47]
48	Uzbekistan	12 August 1992[48]
49	Democratic Republic of the Congo	30 September 1992
50	Gabon	15 October 1992
51	Turkey	12 October 1992[49]
52	Slovenia	9 November 1992[50]
53	Croatia	9 November 1992[51]
54	South Korea	1 December 1992
55	Czech Republic	1 January 1993
56	Slovakia	1 January 1993[52]
57	Malta	10 February 1993[53]
58	Belarus	4 March 1993[54]
59	Republic of the Congo	22 March 1993[55]
60	Georgia	23 April 1993[56]
61	San Marino	30 April 1993[57]
62	Equatorial Guinea	5 May 1993
63	Comoros	14 May 1993
64	Peru	28 July 1993[58]
65	Central African Republic	23 August 1993
66	Bahrain	13 September 1993[59]
67	Jordan	28 September 1993[60]
68	Eswatini	1 October 1993
69	Ireland	5 October 1993
70	Mozambique	11 October 1993[61]
71	Singapore	11 October 1993[62]
72	Mexico	27 October 1993
73	Philippines	1 November 1993
74	Seychelles	4 November 1993
75	Malaysia	8 November 1993
76	India	22 November 1993
77	Venezuela	3 December 1993
78	Mauritius	7 December 1993
79	Thailand	9 December 1993[63]
80	Cyprus	10 December 1993
81	Vietnam	22 December 1993[64]
82	Albania	December 1993[65]
83	Barbados	4 January 1994
84	Liechtenstein	13 January 1994[66]
85	New Zealand	19 January 1994[67]
86	Madagascar	27 January 1994[68]
—	Holy See	5 March 1994[69]
87	Cape Verde	4 April 1994
88	Colombia	12 April 1994
89	Kenya	12 April 1994[70][71]
90	Pakistan	23 April 1994[68]
91	Cameroon	29 April 1994
92	Egypt	29 April 1994[68]
93	Zimbabwe	29 April 1994[68]
94	Tunisia	2 May 1994[72]
95	Ghana	6 May 1994[73]
96	Mali	6 May 1994[74]
97	Senegal	6 May 1994
98	Algeria	10 May 1994[75]
99	Iran	10 May 1994[76]
100	Libya	10 May 1994[77]
101	Morocco	10 May 1994[76]
102	Namibia	10 May 1994
103	Niger	10 May 1994[78]
104	Nigeria	10 May 1994[79]
105	Qatar	10 May 1994
106	São Tomé and Príncipe	10 May 1994
107	Sudan	10 May 1994[68]
108	Zambia	10 May 1994
109	Burkina Faso	11 May 1994[80]
110	Cuba	11 May 1994
111	United Arab Emirates	17 May 1994[68]
112	Benin	19 May 1994
113	Kuwait	20 May 1994[81]
114	Mongolia	25 May 1994
115	Angola	27 May 1994
116	Iceland	31 May 1994[82]
117	Syria	1 June 1994
118	Botswana	22 June 1994[76]
119	Uganda	24 June 1994
120	Tanzania	18 July 1994[76]
121	Maldives	27 July 1994
122	Bahamas	28 July 1994
123	Nepal	28 July 1994
124	Indonesia	12 August 1994
125	Laos	7 September 1994[83]
126	Afghanistan	9 September 1994[84]
127	Jamaica	9 September 1994
128	Bangladesh	10 September 1994
129	Nicaragua	15 September 1994
130	Sri Lanka	16 September 1994[85]
131	Ecuador	22 September 1994
132	Costa Rica	4 October 1994
133	Papua New Guinea	7 October 1994
134	Guinea-Bissau	11 October 1994
135	Chad	21 October 1994
136	Saudi Arabia	29 October 1994[68]
137	Guyana	4 November 1994
138	Fiji	7 November 1994
139	Mauritania	25 December 1994[86]
140	Ethiopia	6 January 1995[87]
141	Panama	10 January 1995
142	Trinidad and Tobago	10 January 1995
143	Guatemala	12 January 1995
144	Cambodia	26 January 1995
145	Suriname	3 February 1995
—	State of Palestine	15 February 1995
146	Guinea	16 February 1995
147	Eritrea	17 March 1995[68]
148	Andorra	22 March 1995[88]
149	Samoa	22 March 1995
150	Bosnia and Herzegovina	23 March 1995
151	Myanmar	20 April 1995
152	Rwanda	6 May 1995[89]
153	Burundi	23 June 1995
154	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1 September 1995
155	Oman	4 October 1995[90]
156	Lebanon	18 November 1995[91]
157	Yemen	3 January 1996
158	Marshall Islands	17 January 1996
159	Djibouti	7 February 1996
—	Cook Islands	9 February 1996[92]
160	Honduras	4 March 1996[93]
161	Brunei	4 October 1996
162	Solomon Islands	11 December 1996
163	Federated States of Micronesia	12 December 1996
164	Saint Lucia	12 December 1996
165	Togo	5 January 1997
166	Liberia	10 January 1997
167	Belize	14 May 1997
168	El Salvador	11 November 1997
169	Haiti	9 December 1997
170	China	1 January 1998[94]
171	Saint Kitts and Nevis	25 February 1998
172	Grenada	5 March 1998
173	Dominica	29 April 1998
174	Gambia	7 August 1998
175	North Korea	10 August 1998
176	Sierra Leone	21 August 1998[68]
177	Iraq	25 August 1998[68]
178	Vanuatu	6 July 1999
179	Kiribati	30 August 1999
180	Tonga	1 September 1999
181	Dominican Republic	9 May 2002[95]
182	Timor-Leste	3 February 2003[68]
183	Antigua and Barbuda	17 February 2004
184	Palau	24 August 2004
—	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	15 September 2004[68]
185	Montenegro	11 October 2006[96]
186	Monaco	19 January 2011[97]
187	South Sudan	21 September 2011[98]
188	Somalia	13 March 2012[99]
189	North Macedonia	18 September 2023[100]

Bilateral relations

Africa

State	Formal relations began	Notes
Algeria	10 May 1994	See Algeria–South Africa relations Algeria has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Algiers.
Angola	27 May 1994	See Angola–South Africa relations South Africa relations are quite strong, as the ruling parties in both nations – the African National Congress in South Africa and the MPLA in Angola – fought together during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War. They fought against UNITA rebels, based in Angola, and the apartheid-era government in South Africa who supported them. Nelson Mandela mediated between the MPLA and UNITA factions during the last years of Angola's civil war. Angola has an embassy in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Johannesburg. South Africa has an embassy in Luanda.
Botswana	22 June 1994	See Botswana–South Africa relations Botswana has a high commission in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Gaborone.
Egypt		See Egypt–South Africa relations Egypt has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Cairo.
Eswatini	1 October 1993	See Eswatini–South Africa relations Eswatini has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Mbabane.
Ghana	6 May 1994	See Ghana–South Africa relations Ghana has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Accra.
Kenya	12 April 1994	See Kenya–South Africa relations Kenya has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Nairobi.
Lesotho	21 May 1992	See Lesotho–South Africa relations Lesotho has a high commission in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Durban and consulates in Klerksdorp and Welkom. South Africa has a high commission in Maseru.
Libya	10 May 1994	See Libya–South Africa relations Libya has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is accredited to Libya from its embassy in Tunis, Tunisia.
Madagascar	27 January 1994	See Madagascar–South Africa relations Madagascar has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Antananarivo.
Malawi	10 September 1967	See Malawi–South Africa relations Since South Africa and Malawi had their first democratic elections in 1994, Malawi and South Africa have enhanced relations. In 2008, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the relationship between the two countries through enhanced security cooperation.[101] Malawi has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Lilongwe.
Mozambique	26 September 1993	See Mozambique–South Africa relations Mozambique has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg and consulates in Cape Town, Durban and Nelspruit. South Africa has a high commission in Maputo.
Namibia	10 May 1994	See Namibia–South Africa relations Upon independence in 1990, Namibia's economy was still tied to South Africa's.[102] To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions.[103] The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia (while the Namibian dollar is not so in South Africa), and the currencies are traded on par locally. Namibia has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has a high commission in Windhoek.
Nigeria	10 May 1994	See Nigeria–South Africa relations Nigeria has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Abuja and a consulate-general in Lagos.
Zambia	10 May 1994	See South Africa–Zambia relations South Africa has a high commission in Lusaka. Zambia has a high commission in Pretoria
Zimbabwe	29 April 1994	See South Africa–Zimbabwe relations The Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the front-line states in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against the government. However, whilst supporting democratic change in South Africa, Mugabe did not support the idea of Zimbabwe being used as a base for anti-South African guerrillas.[104] In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism.[105] Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government.[106] South Africa has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg.

Americas

State	Formal relations began	Notes
Antigua and Barbuda	26 June 2004	Both countries have established diplomatic relations.[107] Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
Argentina	10 September 1947 (broke off 22 May 1986, Restored 8 August 1991)	See Argentina–South Africa relations Diplomatic relations were cut off in 1982 with the Falklands War. Full diplomatic relations between both countries were re-established in August 1991. Argentina has an embassy in Pretoria[108] South Africa has an embassy in Buenos Aires.[109] Both countries are members of the Cairns Group. List of Treaties ruling relations Argentina and South Africa (Argentine Foreign Ministry, in Spanish).[110] South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Argentina.[111]
Belize	14 May 1997	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 May 1997.[112] Belize does not have any representation in South Africa.[113] South Africa is represented in Belize by its High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.[114]
Bolivia	1967	See Bolivia–South Africa relations Bolivia maintains an honorary consulate in Johannesburg. South Africa is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
Brazil	28 October 1947	See Brazil–South Africa relations Brazil has provided military assistance to South Africa in the form of warfare training and logistics. Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen integration between the major powers of the developing world.
Canada	11 September 1939	See Canada–South Africa relations Canada established its diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939, along with other nations, due to the outbreak of World War II. Canada actively encouraged the end of Apartheid in South Africa and the countries have had normal relations since then. The Constitution of South Africa was, in part, inspired by the Constitution of Canada, particularly the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Former South African President Nelson Mandela made an official state visit to Canada in September 1998. Mandela was made an honorary Canadian citizen, during his second visit to Canada. A 2003 visit by President Thabo Mbeki in November 2003, the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen relations between the two countries. Canada has assisted South Africa in the areas of development (over $200 million) and the fight against AIDS in South Africa and to strengthen services provided by the Government of South Africa. Trade between the two countries totalled $1.8 billion in 2008.[115] Canada and South Africa are both member states of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Cuba	11 May 1994	See Cuba–South Africa relations Cuba has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Havana.
Dominica	29 April 1998	Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Diplomatic relations were established on 29 April 1998.[116]
Guyana	4 November 1994	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 November 1994.[117] South Africa is represented in Guyana through its High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.[117]
Mexico	27 October 1993	See Mexico–South Africa relations There were no official relations between Mexico and South Africa before 1993. After the birth of democracy in South Africa, the countries established relations. Mexico has an embassy in Pretoria.[118] South Africa has an embassy in Mexico City.[119]
Panama	10 January 1995	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1995.[120][121] Panama opened an embassy in Pretoria in August 2000.[120] South Africa is represented in Panama through its embassy in Lima, Peru.[120]
Trinidad and Tobago	10 January 1995	See South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relations Relations between Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa started after the apartheid ended. South Africa is accredited to Trinidad and Tobago from its high commission in Kingston, Jamaica. Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Pretoria
United States	5 November 1929	See South Africa–United States relations The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when a US consulate was opened in Cape Town. The US Embassy is located in Pretoria, and consulates general are in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. South Africans and the US also have many non-governmental ties: US missionaries, for example, have a long history of activity in South Africa. South Africans (particularly the ANC leadership) also acknowledge support from and ties to the anti-apartheid movement in the US.[122]
Uruguay	22 April 1968	See South Africa–Uruguay relations South Africa is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Uruguay has an embassy in Pretoria.

Asia

State	Formal relations began	Notes
Armenia	23 June 1992	Diplomatic relations between Armenia and South Africa were established on 23 June 1993.[123] Armenia is represented in South Africa through its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.[124] South Africa is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine.[124]
Azerbaijan	29 April 1992[125]	See Azerbaijan–South Africa relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
China	1 January 1998	See China–South Africa relations Date started: January 1998 China has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. Despite Pretoria's long relationship with the government in Taiwan and late recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1998 the two countries currently enjoy an increasingly close relationship. Increasingly numerous official visits to each other's countries by their respective officials and rapidly increasing trade between the two countries has drawn them ever increasingly together.
India	22 November 1993 (before from 1 January 1941 to 1 July 1954, when diplomatic relations were broke off)	See India–South Africa relations There is a major resident Indian community in South Africa that made a significant contribution to the struggle for civil rights; Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi pioneered the non-violent civil disobedience in the struggle of Indian people for civil rights in the 1890s and 1900s.[126] Indians also contributed to the African National Congress's struggle against the apartheid regime. The Indian government was an outspoken critic of the apartheid-era South African government, refusing to maintain diplomatic relations.[127] India's support evoked goodwill in South Africa and other African countries.[127]
Indonesia	12 August 1994	See Indonesia–South Africa relations Indonesia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Jakarta.
Iran	10 May 1994 (before from 13 November 1970 to 4 March 1979 were relations at Consulate General level)	See Iran–South Africa relations South Africa and Iran share historical bilateral relations and the latter supported the South African liberation movements. It severed official relations with South Africa in 1979 and imposed a trade boycott in protest against the country's apartheid policies. However, in January 1994, Iran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished on 10 May 1994.[128] Iran has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Tehran.
Israel	29 November 1950	See Israel–South Africa relations Former ANC leader Nelson Mandela first visited Israel in 1999. Mandela said: "To the many people who have questioned why I came, I say: Israel worked very closely with the apartheid regime. I say: I've made peace with many men who slaughtered our people like animals. Israel cooperated with the apartheid regime, but it did not participate in any atrocities".[129] Then Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited South Africa in 2004,[130] meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki, the first visit by an Israeli leader since the end of apartheid.
Japan	13 January 1992 (before from 25 January 1937 to 8 December 1941 were diplomatic relations, restored in 1952, but only Consulate General level)	See Japan–South Africa relations Japan has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Tokyo.
North Korea	10 August 1998	See North Korea–South Africa relations
Pakistan	23 April 1994	See Pakistan–South Africa relations
Qatar	10 May 1994	See Qatar–South Africa relations
Saudi Arabia	1994	See Saudi Arabia–South Africa relations Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Riyadh.
South Korea	1 December 1992[131]	See Foreign relations of South Korea Establishment of diplomatic relations: 1 December 1992.[131] South Korea had previously had diplomatic relations with South Africa from 1961 until 1978, when it severed them after United Nations Security Council Resolution 418, in protest of apartheid.[132]
Sri Lanka	16 September 1994	See Sri Lanka–South Africa relations Date started: 12 September 1999 (newly formed) Sri Lanka has a High Commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a High Commission in Colombo.
Taiwan	26 April 1976 – 31 December 1997	See South Africa–Taiwan relations Period of recognition: 1949 – January 1998 Taiwan has a Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria. South Africa has a Taiwan Liaison Office in Taipei. Relations were established between the two countries in 1949 and grew considerably after 1971 until South Africa announced that it would switch recognition from the government in Taipei to the People's Republic of China in December 1996.
Turkey	12 October 1992	See South Africa–Turkey relations South Africa has an embassy in Ankara.[133] Turkey has an embassy in Pretoria.[133] Trade volume between the two countries was US$1.3 billion in 2019 (South African exports/imports: 757.5/552.5 million USD).[133] There have been direct flights from Istanbul to Cape Town and Durban since 2015.[133] 3,600 Turkish citizens reside in South Africa.[133] Yunus Emre Institute has a local headquarters in Johannesburg.
United Arab Emirates		South Africa has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Pretoria.

Europe

See also: South Africa–European Union relations

State	Formal relations began	Notes
Austria	5 October 1955	Austria has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Vienna.
Belarus	4 March 1993	Belarus has an embassy in Pretoria[134] South Africa is accredited to Belarus from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.[134]
Belgium	28 August 1933	Belgium has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Brussels.
Bulgaria	2 February 1992	See Bulgaria–South Africa relations Interest Offices between South Africa and Bulgaria were opened initially in November 1990 and full diplomatic relations was established on 2 February 1992. Bulgaria has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Sofia. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria.[135]
Cyprus	10 December 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 December 1993.[136][137] Cyprus has a High Commission in Pretoria.[138] South Africa is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Athens, Greece.[136]
Denmark		See Denmark-South Africa relations Denmark has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Copenhagen.
European Union		See South Africa–European Union relations South Africa has strong cultural and historical links to the European Union (EU) (particularly through immigration from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Greece) and the EU is South Africa's biggest investor.[139] Since the end of South Africa's apartheid, EU – South African relations have flourished and they began a "Strategic Partnership" in 2007. In 1999 the two sides signed a Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) which entered into force in 2004, with some provisions being applied from 2000. The TDCA covered a wide range of issues from political cooperation, development and the establishment of a free trade area (FTA).[139] South Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in Southern Africa and has a FTA with the EU. South Africa's main exports to the EU are fuels and mining products (27%), machinery and transport equipment (18%) and other semi-manufactured goods (16%). However they are growing and becoming more diverse. European exports to South Africa are primarily machinery & transport equipment (50%), chemicals (15%) and other semi-machinery (10%).[140]
Finland	15 May 1949	See Finland–South Africa relations A South African legation was established in 1967 and relations were then upgraded to ambassadorial level in March 1991. Finland has an embassy in Pretoria, a general consulate in Johannesburg and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. During World War II South Africa declared war on Finland.
France	5 November 1934 ( broken diplomatic relations from 23 April 1942 to 13 December 1944)	See France–South Africa relations France has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Paris.
Germany	14 August 1951 ( before from 1933 to 6 September 1939 were diplomatic relations)	See Germany–South Africa relations Germany has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Berlin.
Greece	2 September 1941	See Greece–South Africa relations Greece has an embassy in Pretoria and an consulate-general in Cape Town and Johannesburg and an consulate in Durban. South Africa has an embassy in Athens.
Hungary		Hungary has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Budapest.
Ireland	5 October 1993	See Ireland–South Africa relations Ireland has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Dublin.
Italy	31 October 1929, broken 10 June 1940, restored 18 March 1946	See Italy–South Africa relations Italy has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Rome.
Montenegro	11 October 2006	South Africa recognized Montenegro on 6 July 2006.[141] Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 October 2006.[141]
Netherlands	15 August 1929	See Netherlands–South Africa relations Netherlands has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town.[142] South Africa has an embassy in The Hague.[143] South Africa is reluctant to tighten cultural ties with the Netherlands. South Africa rejected several offers of the Netherlands and Belgium to become a member state of the Dutch Language Union.[144] See also: Dutch immigration to South Africa
North Macedonia	no diplomatic relations	Both countries established diplomatic relations in October 1995.[145] South Africa still uses the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in accordance with UN practice.[145] South Africa is represented in North Macedonia by its embassy in Athens Greece.[145]
Poland	18 December 1991	See Poland–South Africa relations Poland has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Warsaw.
Portugal	1934	See Portugal–South Africa relations Portugal has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Lisbon.
Russia	1942	See Russia–South Africa relations Russia has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town.[146] South Africa has an embassy in Moscow.[147] South African Department of Foreign Affaires about the relation with Russia.[148]
Serbia	4 February 1992	See Serbia–South Africa relations Serbia has an embassy in Pretoria.[149] South Africa is represented in Serbia through its embassy in Athens (Greece).
Spain	18 May 1951	See South Africa–Spain relations South Africa has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town.
Sweden		See South Africa–Sweden relations South Africa has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Pretoria.
Switzerland	14 December 1951	See South Africa – Switzerland relations South Africa has an embassy in Bern and a general consulate in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Pretoria and a general consulate in Cape Town. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Switzerland.[150] Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa.[151]
Ukraine	16 March 1992	See South Africa–Ukraine relations South Africa established its embassy in Kyiv in October 1992. Ukraine established its embassy in Pretoria in 1995.[152] South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ukraine.[153]
United Kingdom	10 March 1931	See South Africa–United Kingdom relations South Africa established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 10 March 1931.[12][better source needed] South Africa maintains a high commission in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to South Africa through its high commission in Pretoria.[154] The UK governed South Africa from 1806 until 1931, when South Africa gained full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, G20, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement.[155] Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership.[156]

Oceania

State	Formal relations began	Notes
Australia	8 May 1946	See Australia–South Africa relations Date started: 1947 Australia has a High Commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a High Commission in Canberra.
Nauru	no diplomatic relations	South Africa is in the process of establishing diplomatic relations on a non-residential basis.[157]
New Zealand	19 January 1994	See New Zealand–South Africa relations New Zealand has a high commission in Pretoria.[158] South Africa has a high commission in Wellington.[159]
Solomon Islands	11 December 1996	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 December 1996.[160] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

See also

• South Africa portal

• List of diplomatic missions in South Africa
• List of diplomatic missions of South Africa