Foreign relations of Antigua and Barbuda


maintains diplomatic relations with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China, as well as with many Latin American countries and neighbouring Eastern Caribbean states. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas, Petrocaribe and the Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System.
As a member of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda supported efforts by the United States to implement UN Security Council Resolution 940, designed to facilitate the departure of Haiti's de facto authorities from power. The country agreed to contribute personnel to the multinational force which restored the democratically elected government of Haiti in October 1994.
In May 1997, Prime Minister Bird joined 14 other Caribbean leaders and President Clinton for the first-ever US-regional summit in Bridgetown, Barbados. The summit strengthened the basis for regional co-operation on justice and counter-narcotics issues, finance and development, and trade.
Antigua and Barbuda is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military.
Disputes – international:
none
Illicit drugs:
considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as a drug-money-laundering center.

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
3 June 2011
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 June 2011.
14 May 1993
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Antigua and Barbuda started on 14 May 1993.

  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations.
  • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
1 November 1981The establishment of diplomatic relations between Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda started on 1 November 1981.
  • Antigua and Barbuda has a non-resident High Commissioner from St. Johns, Antigua.
  • Barbados has a non-resident High Commissioner from Bridgetown, Barbados.
4 February 1983
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 February 1983.
  • Both countries are full members of Caribbean Community and of Organization of American States.
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.
  • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations and of Organization of American States.
    • Both countries have established diplomatic relations.
    7 November 2017
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 November 2017.
    21 July 2004
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 July 2004.
    • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
    Denmark is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by its Consulate General in New York and an honorary consulate in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda.

    Finland has an honorary consulate in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda.
    7 April 2010
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 April 2010.
    3 February 1982
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 February 1982.
    • Both countries are full members of Caribbean Community and of Organization of American States.
    Both countries have established diplomatic relations and have an Extradition Arrangement.
    2011
    Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2011.

    Ireland is represented in Antigua and Barbuda through its embassy in Washington DC, United States.

    Israel is represented in Antigua and Barbuda through its embassy in Dominican Republic.
    1982
    Both countries established diplomatic relations in October 1982.
    24 June 2019Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 June 2019. Kosovo and Antigua and Barbuda enjoy excellent relationships.
    19 March 1993
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 March 1993.
    23 September 2004
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2004.
    25 May 2002
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 2002.
    23 July 2004
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 2004.
    • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
    14 September 1984
  • Antigua and Barbuda has a non-resident ambassador accredited to Mexico from its capital in St. John's.
  • Mexico is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda from its embassy in Castries, Saint Lucia and maintains an honorary consulate in St. John's.
    • 2014Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2014.
    11 April 2011
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 April 2011.

    • Both countries have established diplomatic relations.
    • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
    16 July 2010Both nations established diplomatic relations on 16 July 2010.
    5 April 2018
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 April 2018.
    12 December 2016
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 December 2016.

    • Both countries have established diplomatic relations.
    • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
    1 November 1981The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Antigua and Barbuda began on 1 November 1981.
    1988
    Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1988.
    1999
    Both countries have established diplomatic relations since June 1999.
    1999Both countries have established diplomatic relations.
    Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
    1981
    Relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States have been friendly since Antigua and Barbuda's independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.
    The United States has supported the Government of Antigua and Barbuda's effort to expand its economic base and to improve its citizens' standard of living. However, concerns over the lack of adequate regulation of the financial services sector prompted the US Government to issue a financial advisory for Antigua and Barbuda in 1999. The advisory was lifted in 2001, but the US Government continues to monitor the Government of Antigua and Barbuda's regulation of financial services.
    The United States also has been active in supporting post-hurricane disaster assistance and rehabilitation through the US Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Peace Corps. US assistance is primarily channelled through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, as well as through the USAID office in Bridgetown, Barbados.
    Antigua and Barbuda is strategically situated in the Leeward Islands near maritime transport lanes of major importance to the United States. Antigua has long hosted a US military presence. A former US Navy support facility, turned over to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in 1995, is now being developed as a regional coast guard training facility.
    Antigua and Barbuda's location close to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico makes it an attractive transshipment point for narcotics traffickers. To address these problems, the United States and Antigua and Barbuda have signed a series of counter-narcotic and counter-crime treaties and agreements, including a maritime law enforcement agreement, subsequently amended to include overflight and order-to-land provisions ; a bilateral extradition treaty ; and a mutual legal assistance treaty. In addition, Antigua and Barbuda receives counter-narcotics assistance and benefits from US military exercise-related and humanitarian civic assistance construction projects.
    In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda had 239,804 stay-over visitors, with nearly 28% of Antigua and Barbuda's visitors coming from the United States. It is estimated that 4,500 Americans reside in the country.
    In 2005 both countries disputed a World Trade Organization ruling over gambling law. In 2007 relations were strained when Antigua and Barbuda demanded sanctions worth $3.4bn imposed on the US for its failure to obey the WTO gambling ruling stating that "while we realise this is a significant step for Antigua and Barbuda to take, we feel we have no choice in the matter". Nevertheless, relations between the two countries are still strong.

    Antigua and Barbuda enjoys close relations with Venezuela. As of June 2009 it became a formal member of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas international co-operation organisation and the Caribbean oil alliance Petrocaribe. In 2009 Antigua and Barbuda received US$50 million from Venezuela because of the country's membership of these initiatives.
    "We have benefited from these relationships and so we will continue to forge these alliances, whether it is with Venezuela, Cuba or whoever else that we feel is in the interest of Antigua and Barbuda and the sub-region," said the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer.
    8 November 2013
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 November 2013.