Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
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The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Kingdom are conducted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, headed by the Foreign Secretary. The prime minister and numerous other agencies play a role in setting policy, and many institutions and businesses have a voice and a role.
The United Kingdom was the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries, most notably during the so-called "Pax Britannica"—a period of unrivaled supremacy and unprecedented international peace during the mid-to-late 1800s. The country continued to be widely considered a superpower until the Suez crisis of 1956 and the dismantling of the British Empire left the UK's dominant role in global affairs to be gradually diminished. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom remains a great power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a founding member of the G7, G20, NATO, AUKUS, OECD, WTO, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the Commonwealth of Nations, the latter being a legacy of the British Empire. The UK had been a member state of the European Union (and a member of its predecessors) since 1973. However, due to the outcome of a 2016 membership referendum, proceedings to withdraw from the EU began in 2017 and concluded when the UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, and the transition period on 31 December 2020 with an EU trade agreement. Since the vote and the conclusion of trade talks with the EU, policymakers have begun pursuing new trade agreements with other global partners.
History[edit]
Following the formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain (which united England and Scotland) in 1707, British foreign relations largely continued those of the Kingdom of England. British foreign policy initially focused on achieving a balance of power within Europe, with no one country achieving dominance over the affairs of the continent. This policy remained a major justification for Britain's wars against Napoleon, and for British involvement in the First and Second World Wars. Secondly Britain continued the expansion of its colonial "First British Empire" by migration and investment.
France was the chief enemy until the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. It had a much larger population and a more powerful army, but a weaker navy. The British were generally successful in their many wars. The notable exception, the American War of Independence (1775–1783), saw Britain, without any major allies, defeated by the American colonials who had the support of France, the Netherlands and (indirectly) Spain. A favoured British diplomatic strategy involved subsidising the armies of continental allies (such as Prussia), thereby turning London's enormous financial power to military advantage. Britain relied heavily on its Royal Navy for security, seeking to keep it the most powerful fleet afloat, eventually with a full complement of bases across the globe. British dominance of the seas was vital to the formation and maintaining of the British Empire, which was achieved through the support of a navy larger than the next two largest navies combined, prior to 1920. The British generally stood alone until the early 20th century, when it became friendly with the U.S. and made alliances with Japan, France and Russia and Germany former antagonist now ally.
1814–1914[edit]
The 100 years were generally peaceful--a sort of Pax Britannica enforced by the Royal Navy. There were two important wars, both limited in scope. The Crimean War (1853–1856) saw the defeat of Russia and its threat to the Ottoman Empire. The Second Boer War (1899–1902) saw the defeat of the two Boer republics in South Africa and Boxer Rebellion happen the same year. London became the world's financial centre, and commercial enterprise expanded across the globe. The "Second British Empire" was built with a base in Asia (especially India) and Africa.
First World War[edit]
1920s[edit]
After 1918 Britain was a "troubled giant" that was less of a dominant diplomatic force in the 1920s than before. It often had to give way to the United States, which frequently exercised its financial superiority.[1] The main themes of British foreign policy included a leading role at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919–1920, where Lloyd George worked hard to moderate French demands for revenge on Germany.[2] He was partly successful, but Britain soon had to moderate French policy toward Germany further, as in the Locarno Treaties of 1925.[3][4] Furthermore, Britain obtained "mandates" that allowed it and its dominions to govern most of the former German and Ottoman colonies.[5]
Britain became an active member of the new League of Nations, but its list of major achievements was slight.[6][7]
Disarmament was high on the agenda, and Britain played a major role following the United States in the Washington Naval Conference of 1921 in working toward naval disarmament of the major powers. By 1933 disarmament agreements had collapsed and the issue became rearming for a war against Germany.[8]
Britain was partially successful in negotiating better terms with United States regarding the large war loans which Britain was obliged to repay.[9] Britain supported the international solution to German reparations through the Dawes Plan and the Young Plan. After the Dawes Plan had helped stabilize Germany's currency and lowered its annual payments, Germany was able to pay its annual reparations using money borrowed from New York banks, and Britain used the money received to pay Washington.[10] The Great Depression starting in 1929 put enormous pressure on the British economy. Britain revived Imperial Preference, which meant low tariffs within the British Empire and higher barriers to trade with outside countries. The flow of money from New York dried up, and the system of reparations and payment of debt died in 1931.
In domestic British politics, the emerging Labour Party had a distinctive and suspicious foreign policy based on pacifism. Its leaders believed that peace was impossible because of capitalism, secret diplomacy, and the trade in armaments. Labour stressed material factors that ignored the psychological memories of the Great War and the highly emotional tensions regarding nationalism and the boundaries of countries. Nevertheless, party leader Ramsay MacDonald devoted much of his attention to European policies.[11]
1930s[edit]
Vivid memories of the horrors and deaths of the First World War inclined many Britons—and their leaders in all parties—to pacifism in the interwar era. This led directly to the appeasement of dictators (notably of Mussolini and of Hitler) in order to avoid their threats of war.[12]
The challenge came from those dictators, first from Benito Mussolini, Duce of Italy, then from Adolf Hitler, Führer of a much more powerful Nazi Germany. The League of Nations proved disappointing to its supporters; it failed to resolve any of the threats posed by the dictators. British policy involved "appeasing" them in the hopes they would be satiated. By 1938 it was clear that war was looming, and that Germany had the world's most powerful military. The final act of appeasement came when Britain and France sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Hitler's demands at the Munich Agreement of September 1938.[13] Instead of satiation, Hitler menaced Poland, and at last Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain dropped appeasement and stood firm in promising to defend Poland (31 March 1939). Hitler however cut a deal with Joseph Stalin to divide Eastern Europe (23 August 1939); when Germany did invade Poland in September 1939, Britain and France declared war, and the British Commonwealth followed London's lead.[14]
Second World War[edit]
Having signed the Anglo-Polish military alliance in August 1939, Britain and France declared war against Germany in September 1939 in response to Germany's invasion of Poland. This declaration included the Crown colonies and India, which Britain directly controlled. The dominions were independent in foreign policy, though all quickly entered the war against Germany. After the French defeat in June 1940, Britain and its empire stood alone in combat against Germany, until June 1941. The United States gave diplomatic, financial and material support, starting in 1940, especially through Lend Lease, which began in 1941 and attain full strength during 1943. In August 1941, Churchill and Roosevelt met and agreed on the Atlantic Charter, which proclaimed "the rights of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they live" should be respected. This wording was ambiguous and would be interpreted differently by the British, Americans, and nationalist movements.[15]
Starting in December 1941, Japan overran British possessions in Asia, including Hong Kong, Malaya, and especially the key base at Singapore. Japan then marched into Burma, headed toward India. Churchill's reaction to the entry of the United States into the war was that Britain was now assured of victory and the future of the empire was safe, but the rapid defeats irreversibly harmed Britain's standing and prestige as an imperial power. The realisation that Britain could not defend them pushed Australia and New Zealand into permanent close ties with the United States.[16]
Postwar[edit]
Economically in dire straits in 1945 (saddled with debt and dealing with widespread destruction of its infrastructure), Britain systematically reduced its overseas commitments. It pursued an alternate role as an active participant in the Cold War against communism, especially as a founding member of NATO in 1949.[17]
The British had built up a very large worldwide Empire, which peaked in size in 1922, after more than half a century of unchallenged global supremacy. The cumulative costs of fighting two world wars, however, placed a heavy burden upon the home economy, and after 1945 the British Empire rapidly began to disintegrate, with all the major colonies gaining independence. By the mid-to-late 1950s, the UK's status as a superpower was gone in the face of the United States and the Soviet Union. Most former colonies joined the "Commonwealth of Nations", an organisation of fully independent nations now with equal status to the UK. However it attempted no major collective policies.[18][19] The last major colony, Hong Kong, was handed over to China in 1997.[20] Fourteen British Overseas Territories maintain a constitutional link to the UK, but are not part of the country per se.[21]
Britain slashed its involvements in the Middle East after the humiliating Suez Crisis of 1956. However Britain did forge close military ties with the United States, France, and Germany, through the NATO military alliance. After years of debate (and rebuffs), Britain joined the Common Market in 1973; which became the European Union in 1993.[22] However it did not merge financially, and kept the pound separate from the Euro, which partly isolated it from the EU financial crisis of 2011.[23] In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU.[24][25]
21st century[edit]
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Foreign policy initiatives of UK governments since the 1990s have included military intervention in conflicts and for peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance programmes and increased aid spending, support for establishment of the International Criminal Court, debt relief for developing countries, prioritisation of initiatives to address climate change, and promotion of free trade.[26] The British approach has been described as "spread the right norms and sustain NATO".[27]
Lunn et al. (2008) argue:[28]
- Three key motifs of Tony Blair's 10-year premiership were an activist philosophy of 'interventionism', maintaining a strong alliance with the US and a commitment to placing Britain at the heart of Europe. While the 'special relationship' and the question of Britain's role in Europe have been central to British foreign policy since the Second World War...interventionism was a genuinely new element.
The GREAT campaign of 2012 was one of the most ambitious national promotion efforts ever undertaken by any major nation. It was scheduled take maximum advantage of the worldwide attention to the Summer Olympics in London. The goals were to make British more culture visible in order to stimulate trade, investment and tourism. The government partnered with key leaders in culture, business, diplomacy and education. The campaign unified many themes and targets, including business meetings; scholarly conventions; recreational vehicle dealers; parks and campgrounds; convention and visitors bureaus; hotels; bed and breakfast inns; casinos; and hotels.[29][30]
In 2013, the government of David Cameron described its approach to foreign policy by saying:[31]
- For any given foreign policy issue, the UK potentially has a range of options for delivering impact in our national interest. ... [W]e have a complex network of alliances and partnerships through which we can work.... These include – besides the EU – the UN and groupings within it, such as the five permanent members of the Security Council (the “P5”); NATO; the Commonwealth; the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development; the G8 and G20 groups of leading industrialised nations; and so on.
The UK began establishing air and naval facilities in the Persian Gulf, located in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman in 2014–15.[32][33][34][35] The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 highlighted a range of foreign policy initiatives of the UK government.[36][37] Edward Longinotti notes how current British defence policy is grappling with how to accommodate two major commitments, to Europe and to an ‘east of Suez’ global military strategy, within a modest defence budget that can only fund one. He points out that Britain's December 2014 agreement to open a permanent naval base in Bahrain underlines its gradual re-commitment east of Suez.[38] By some measures, Britain remains the second most powerful country in the world by virtue of its soft power and "logistical capability to deploy, support and sustain [military] forces overseas in large numbers."[39] Although commentators have questioned the need for global power projection,[40] the concept of “Global Britain” put forward by the Conservative government in 2019 signalled more military activity in the Middle East and Pacific, outside of NATO's traditional sphere of influence.[41][42]
At the end of January 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union, with a subsequent trade agreement with the EU in effect from 1 January 2021, setting out the terms of the UK-EU economic relationship and what abilities the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office can use in foreign relations related to trade.
In July 2023, UK and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding for strategic investments and collaborations, through Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, Investcorp, GFH Financial Group, and Osool Asset Management, that would see the Gulf state's private sector invest 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in Britain.[43]
Major international disputes since 1945[edit]
| from | to | dispute |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 1949 | Involved in Greek Civil War |
| 1945 | 1948 | Administration of the Mandate for Palestine, ending with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. British forces often faced conflict with Arab nationalists and Jewish Zionist militia. |
| 1947 | 1991 | Cold War with Soviet Union |
| 1948 | 1949 | Berlin Blockade – dispute with USSR over access to West Berlin and general Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe[44] |
| 1948 | 1960 | Malayan Emergency – armed conflict against the politically isolated Communist forces of the Malayan National Liberation Army |
| 1950 | 1953 | Korean War – war with North Korea |
| 1951 | 1954 | Abadan Crisis – dispute with Iran over expropriated oil assets |
| 1956 | 1957 | Suez Crisis – armed conflict with Egypt over its seizure of the Suez Canal Zone, and unsupported by most of the international community |
| 1958 | First Cod War – fishing dispute with Iceland | |
| 1962 | 1966 | Konfrontasi – war with Indonesia |
| 1972 | 1973 | Second Cod War – fishing dispute with Iceland |
| 1975 | 1976 | Third Cod War – fishing dispute with Iceland[45] |
| 1982 | Falklands War – war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands and other British south Atlantic territories | |
| 1983 | Condemnation of the United States over its invasion of Grenada[46] | |
| 1984 | Dispute with Libya after a policewoman is shot dead in London by a gunman from within the Libyan embassy, and considerable Libyan support for the IRA in Northern Ireland. | |
| 1988 | Dispute with Libya over the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie[47] | |
| 1991 | Gulf War with Iraq[48] | |
| 1995 | Under UN mandate, military involvement in former Yugoslavia (specifically Bosnia) | |
| 1997 | Hong Kong handover to Chinese rule. Britain secures guarantees for a "special status" that would continue capitalism and protect existing British property.[49] | |
| 1999 | Involvement in NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia over Kosovo | |
| 2000 | British action in saving the UN peacekeeping force from collapse and defeating the anti-government rebellion during the Sierra Leone Civil War | |
| 2001 | UN-sponsored war against, and subsequent occupation of, Afghanistan | |
| 2003 | 2007 | Collaboration with US and others in war against, and occupation of, Iraq; over 46,000 British troops subsequently occupy Basra and southern Iraq |
| 2007 | ongoing | Diplomatic dispute with Russia over the death of Alexander Litvinenko[50] |
| 2009 | ongoing | Dispute with Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons programme, including sanctions and Iranian condemnation of the British government, culminating in a 2011 attack on the British Embassy in Iran |
| 2011 | Under UN mandate, UK armed forces participated in enforcing the Libyan No-Fly Zone as part of Operation Ellamy[51] | |
| 2013 | Support for French forces in the Malian civil war | |
| 2015 | Support for the US-led coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant | |
| 2016 | UN and EU implement a deal with Iran intended to prevent the country gaining access to nuclear weapons[52] | |
| 2018 | ongoing | Sanctions on Russia following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal using a nerve agent in Salisbury, England included the expulsions of 23 diplomats, the largest ever since the Cold War, an act that was retaliated by Russia |
| 2019 | ongoing | The sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. An advisory ruling by International Court of Justice in The Hague found that "the islands were not lawfully separated from the former colony of Mauritius",[53] a view endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly |
| 2019 | The UK seized an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar on the grounds that it was shipping oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Iran later captured a British oil tanker and its crew members in the Persian Gulf.[54] | |
| 2022 | ongoing | The UK provided support and equipment to Ukraine after its invasion by Russia, which declared the United Kingdom an unfriendly country after the UK strongly supported international sanctions against Russia |
Sovereignty disputes[edit]
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- Spain claims the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.[55] Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty in 1967 and 2002.
- The entire Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory is claimed by Mauritius. The claim includes the island of Diego Garcia used as a joint UK/US military base since the 1970s when the inhabitants were forcibly removed, Blenheim Reef, Speakers Bank and all the other features.[56]
- There are conflicting claims over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, controlled by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina. The dispute escalated into the Falklands War in 1982 over the islands' sovereignty, in which Argentina was defeated. The Falkland islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British Overseas Territory in 2013.
- There is a territorial claim in Antarctica, the British Antarctic Territory, which overlaps with areas claimed by Chile and Argentina.[57]
Commonwealth of Nations[edit]
The UK has varied relationships with the countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations which originated from the British Empire. Charles III of the United Kingdom is Head of the Commonwealth and is King of 15 of its 56 member states. Those that retain the King as head of state are called Commonwealth realms. Over time several countries have been suspended from the Commonwealth for various reasons. Zimbabwe was suspended because of the authoritarian rule of its President.[58]
Diplomatic relations[edit]
British diplomatic relations date back to the 13th century.[59] The United Kingdom has established diplomatic relations with all United Nations members, aside from Bhutan, in addition to 3 Non-UN states: the Cook Islands, Holy See, and Kosovo. The following table lists the date from which diplomatic relations were established with foreign countries:
| Country | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
 Portugal | 9 May 1386 | [60] |
 France | 1396 | [61] |
 Denmark | 2 May 1490 | [62] |
 Spain | 1505 | [63] |
 Russia | 20 April 1566 | [64] |
 Turkey | 23 April 1583 | [64] |
 Netherlands | 1 April 1603 | [64] |
 Sweden | 23 December 1653 | [64] |
 Switzerland | 30 August 1689 | [65] |
 United States | 1 June 1785 | [66] |
 Iran | 4 January 1801 | [67] |
 Austria | 27 August 1814 | [68] |
 Nepal | 4 March 1816 | [69] |
 Chile | 14 September 1823 | [70] |
 Peru | 10 October 1823 | [71] |
 Colombia | 18 April 1825 | [72] |
 Argentina | 12 May 1825 | [73] |
 Mexico | 26 December 1826 | [74] |
 Brazil | 17 August 1827 | [75] |
 Belgium | 1 December 1830 | [76] |
 Greece | 1 January 1833 | [77] |
 Venezuela | 29 October 1834 | [78] |
 Serbia | 30 January 1837 | [79] |
 Guatemala | 12 July 1837 | [80] |
 Bolivia | 29 September 1840 | [81] |
 Ethiopia | 1841 | [82] |
 Uruguay | 15 July 1842 | [83] |
 Costa Rica | 28 February 1848 | [84] |
 Honduras | 16 June 1849 | [85] |
 Liberia | 1 August 1849 | [86] |
 Dominican Republic | 6 March 1850 | [87] |
 Ecuador | 29 January 1853 | [88] |
 Paraguay | 2 November 1853 | [89] |
 Thailand | 18 April 1855 | [90] |
 Japan | 26 August 1858 | [91] |
 Nicaragua | 22 February 1859 | [92] |
 Italy | 13 April 1859 | [93] |
 Haiti | 13 May 1859 | [94] |
 Bulgaria | 23 July 1879 | [95] |
 Luxembourg | 27 November 1879 | [96] |
 Romania | 20 February 1880 | [97] |
 El Salvador | 1883 | [98] |
 Cuba | 20 May 1902 | [99] |
 Norway | 6 November 1905 | [100] |
 Panama | 9 April 1908 | [101] |
 Egypt | 19 December 1914 | [102] |
 Finland | 28 March 1918 | [103] |
 Poland | 15 July 1919 | [104] |
 Czech Republic | 3 September 1919 | [105] |
 Hungary | 22 May 1921 | [106] |
 Albania | 9 November 1921 | [107] |
 Afghanistan | 22 November 1921 | [108] |
 Ireland | 6 December 1922 | [109] |
 Canada | 1 July 1926 | [110] |
 Saudi Arabia | 20 May 1927 | [111] |
 South Africa | 17 March 1931 | [112] |
 Iraq | 4 October 1932 | [113] |
 Australia | March 1936 | [114] |
 New Zealand | March 1939 | [114] |
 Iceland | 8 May 1940 | [115] |
 Lebanon | 9 February 1942 | [116] |
 Syria | 9 February 1942 | [116] |
 Jordan | 17 June 1946 | [117] |
 Philippines | 4 July 1946 | [118] |
 Sri Lanka | 22 October 1946 | [119] |
 Myanmar | 7 July 1947 | [120] |
 India | 14 August 1947 | [117] |
 Pakistan | 14 August 1947 | [117] |
 South Korea | 18 January 1949 | [121] |
 Israel | 14 May 1949 | [117] |
 Indonesia | 27 December 1949 | [122] |
 Germany | 20 June 1951 | [123] |
 Yemen | 24 October 1951 | [124] |
 Libya | 24 December 1951 | [117] |
 Cambodia | 15 May 1952 | [125] |
 China | 17 June 1954 | [126] |
 Laos | 5 September 1955 | [127] |
 Sudan | 3 March 1956 | [128] |
 Tunisia | 19 June 1956 | [117] |
 Morocco | 28 June 1956 | [117] |
 Ghana | 6 March 1957 | [117] |
 Malaysia | 31 August 1957 | [129] |
 Guinea | 28 May 1959 | [130] |
 Cameroon | 1 February 1960 | [117] |
 Togo | 27 April 1960 | [117] |
 Madagascar | 27 June 1960 | [131] |
 Democratic Republic of the Congo | 7 July 1960 | [132] |
 Somalia | 7 July 1960 | [133] |
 Cyprus | 16 August 1960 | [117] |
 Senegal | 20 August 1960 | [117] |
 Nigeria | 1 October 1960 | [134] |
 Benin | 6 October 1960 | [117] |
 Burkina Faso | 6 October 1960 | [135] |
 Niger | 6 October 1960 | [135] |
 Ivory Coast | 12 October 1960 | [136] |
 Mauritania | 28 November 1960 | [137] |
 Chad | 9 December 1960 | [135] |
 Central African Republic | 9 December 1960 | [135] |
 Republic of the Congo | 9 December 1960 | [135] |
 Gabon | 9 December 1960 | [135] |
 Mali | 22 March 1961 | [117] |
 Sierra Leone | April 1961 | [117] |
 Kuwait | 8 November 1961 | [117] |
 Tanzania | 9 December 1961 | [138] |
 Burundi | 1 July 1962 | [139] |
 Rwanda | 1 July 1962 | [117] |
 Jamaica | 6 August 1962 | [117] |
 Trinidad and Tobago | 31 August 1962 | [117] |
 Uganda | 9 October 1962 | [140] |
 Algeria | 16 November 1962 | [141] |
 Mongolia | 23 January 1963 | [142] |
 Kenya | 12 December 1963 | [143] |
 Malawi | July 1964 | [117] |
 Malta | 21 September 1964 | [117] |
 Zambia | 17 October 1964 | [117] |
 Gambia | 1 January 1965 | [117] |
 Maldives | 26 July 1965 | [144] |
 Singapore | 12 November 1965 | [145] |
 Guyana | 26 May 1966 | [117] |
 Botswana | 30 September 1966 | [117] |
 Barbados | 30 November 1966 | [146] |
 Lesotho | 4 October 1966 | [117] |
 Mauritius | 12 March 1968 | [117] |
 Eswatini | 6 September 1968 | [147] |
 Equatorial Guinea | 20 June 1969 | [148] |
 Tonga | 4 June 1970 | [149] |
 Samoa | September 1970 | [150] |
 Fiji | 10 October 1970 | [151] |
 Oman | 21 May 1971 | [149] |
 Bahrain | 21 August 1971 | [152] |
 Qatar | 6 September 1971 | [153] |
 United Arab Emirates | 2 December 1971 | [154] |
 Bangladesh | 18 April 1972 | [149] |
 Bahamas | 7 July 1973 | [149] |
 Vietnam | 11 September 1973 | [155] |
 Grenada | 7 February 1974 | [149] |
 Guinea-Bissau | 12 March 1975 | [149] |
 Mozambique | 1 September 1975 | [156] |
 Papua New Guinea | 16 September 1975 | [157] |
 Suriname | 31 March 1976 | [158] |
 Seychelles | June 1976 | [159] |
 Cape Verde | 17 May 1977 | [160] |
 Comoros | 3 October 1977 | [161] |
 Angola | 14 October 1977 | [162] |
 Nauru | 1 December 1977 | [149] |
 Djibouti | 25 January 1978 | [149] |
 Solomon Islands | 7 July 1978 | [149] |
 Tuvalu | 1 October 1978 | [149] |
 Dominica | 13 December 1978 | [163] |
 Saint Lucia | 22 February 1979 | [149] |
 São Tomé and Príncipe | 3 December 1979 | [149] |
 Kiribati | 12 July 1979 | [149] |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 October 1979 | [149] |
 Zimbabwe | 18 April 1980 | [149] |
 Vanuatu | 30 July 1980 | [149] |
 Belize | 21 September 1981 | [164] |
 Antigua and Barbuda | 1 November 1981 | [149] |
 Holy See | 16 January 1982 | [165] |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis | 19 September 1983 | [166] |
 Brunei | 14 March 1984 | [167] |
 Namibia | March 1990 | [168] |
 Lithuania | 4 September 1991 | [169] |
 Estonia | 5 September 1991 | [170] |
 Latvia | 5 September 1991 | [171] |
 Ukraine | 10 January 1992 | [172] |
 Tajikistan | 15 January 1992 | [173] |
 Moldova | 17 January 1992 | [174] |
 Slovenia | 17 January 1992 | [175] |
 Kazakhstan | 19 January 1992 | [176] |
 Armenia | 20 January 1992 | [177] |
 Turkmenistan | 23 January 1992 | [178] |
 Belarus | 27 January 1992 | [179] |
 Marshall Islands | 2 February 1992 | [180] |
 Uzbekistan | 18 February 1992 | [181] |
 Azerbaijan | 11 March 1992 | [182] |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 13 April 1992 | [183] |
 Georgia | 27 April 1992 | [184] |
 Liechtenstein | May 1992 | [185] |
 Croatia | 24 June 1992 | [186] |
 Kyrgyzstan | 12 June 1992 | [187] |
 Federated States of Micronesia | 31 August 1992 | [188] |
 Slovakia | 1 January 1993 | [189] |
 Eritrea | 16 November 1993 | [190] |
 North Macedonia | 16 December 1993 | [191] |
 Andorra | 9 March 1994 | [192] |
 Palau | 16 August 1996 | [193] |
 Cook Islands | 4 December 1997 | [194] |
 San Marino | 18 November 1998 | [195] |
 North Korea | 12 December 2000 | [196] |
 East Timor | 20 May 2002 | [197] |
 Montenegro | 13 June 2006 | [198] |
 Monaco | 21 September 2007 | [199] |
 Kosovo | 18 February 2008 | [200] |
 South Sudan | 9 July 2011 | [201] |
Bilateral relations[edit]
Africa[edit]
| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 1962 | See Foreign relations of Algeria |
| Angola | 1977 | See Foreign relations of Angola The UK established diplomatic relations with Angola on 14 October 1977.[162]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Benin | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Benin Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact.[204] |
| Botswana | 1966 | See Botswana–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Botswana on 30 September 1966.[117]
The UK governed Botswana from 1885 to 1966, when Botswana achieved independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement.[207] |
| Burkina Faso | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Burkina Faso The UK established diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso on 6 October 1960, then known as Upper Volta.[135]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Burundi | 1962 | See Foreign relations of Burundi The UK established diplomatic relations with Burundi on 1 July 1962.[139]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Central African Republic | 1960 | See Foreign relations of the Central African Republic The UK established diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic on 9 December 1960.[135]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Chad | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Chad The UK established diplomatic relations with Chad on 9 December 1960.[135]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Djibouti | 1978 | See Foreign relations of Djibouti The UK established diplomatic relations with Djibouti on 25 January 1978.[149]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 7 July 1960.[132]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Egypt | 1922 | See Egypt–United Kingdom relations |
| Equatorial Guinea | 1969 | See Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea The UK established diplomatic relations with Equatorial Guinea on 20 June 1969.[148]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact.[203] |
| Ethiopia | 1841 | See Ethiopia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia in 1841.[82]
The UK administered Ethiopia from 1941–1942. The UK continued to administered the regions of Ogaden and Haud from 1941, until both territories were relinquished to Ethiopia in 1948 and 1955 respectively. |
| Gabon | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Gabon The UK established diplomatic relations with Botswana on 9 December 1960.[135]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Ghana | 1957 | See Ghana–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Ghana on 6 March 1957.[117]
The UK governed Ghana from 1821 to 1957, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization. Both countries are parties of the Ghana–UK Economic Partnership Agreement.[220] |
| Guinea | 1959 | See Foreign relations of Guinea The UK established diplomatic relations with Guinea on 28 May 1959.[130]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Guinea-Bissau | 1975 | See Foreign relations of Guinea-Bissau The UK established diplomatic relations with Guinea on 12 March 1975.[149]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Ivory Coast | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Ivory Coast The UK established diplomatic relations with Ivory Coast on 12 October 1960.[136]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Ivory Coast-UK Economic Partnership Agreement[225] |
| Kenya | 1963 | See Kenya–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Kenya on 12 December 1963.[143]
The UK governed Kenya from 1895 to 1963, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Kenya-UK Economic Partnership Agreement.[228] |
| Liberia | 1849 | See Liberia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Liberia on 1 August 1849.[86]
The United Kingdom was the first country to recognise the independence of Liberia.[230] Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Libya | See Libya–United Kingdom relations | |
| Malawi | 1964 | See Malawi–United Kingdom relations |
| Mali | 1961 | See Foreign relations of Mali The UK established diplomatic relations with Mali on 22 March 1961.[117]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Mauritania | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Mauritania The UK established diplomatic relations with Mauritania on 28 November 1960.[137]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Morocco | 1956 | See Morocco–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Morocco on 28 June 1956.[117]
Bilateral relations between Morocco and the UK date back to the early 1200s.[235] Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. Both countries signed an Association Agreement on 26 October 2019.[236] |
| Mozambique | 1975 | See Foreign relations of Mozambique |
| Namibia | 1990 | See Namibia–United Kingdom relations |
| Republic of the Congo | 1960 | See Foreign relations of the Republic of the Congo The UK established diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Congo on 9 December 1960.[135]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Rwanda | 1962 | See Rwanda–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Rwanda on 1 July 1962.[117]
Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization. |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 1979 | See Foreign relations of São Tomé and Príncipe Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact.[241] |
| Senegal | 1960 | See Foreign relations of Senegal The UK established diplomatic relations with Senegal on 20 June 1960.[117]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and the World Trade Organization. |
| Sierra Leone | 1961 | See Foreign relations of Sierra Leone Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact.[244] |
| Somalia | 1960 | See Somalia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Somalia on 7 July 1960.[133]
The UK governed Somaliland from 1884–1940 and 1941–1960, Somaliland achieved full independence on 26 June 1960. The UK also administered the remaining territory of modern Somalia from 1941–1950, until it became an Italian Trust Territory. Both of these territories unified on the 1 July 1960 to become Somalia. |
 Somaliland | N/A | See Somaliland–United Kingdom relations The UK has not established diplomatic relations with Somaliland; the UK does not recognise Somaliland to be a sovereign nation.
On 4 July 2023, Gavin Williamson proposed a bill to the UK Parliament that would invoke the UK to recognise the Republic of Somaliland.[246] The UK governed Somaliland from 1884–1940 and 1941–1960, Somaliland achieved full independence on 26 June 1960. The Republic of Somaliland declared independence from Somalia on 18 May 1991. |
| South Africa | 1927 | See South Africa–United Kingdom relations |
| Sudan | 1956 | See Sudan–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Sudan on 3 March 1956.[128]
The UK governed Sudan from 1899 to 1956, when Sudan achieved full independence.[250] |
| Tanzania | 1964 | See Tanzania–United Kingdom relations |
| Uganda | 1962 | See Uganda–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Uganda on 9 October 1962.[140]
The UK governed Uganda from 1894 to 1962, when Uganda achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Zambia | 1960 | See United Kingdom–Zambia relations |
| Zimbabwe | 1980 | See United Kingdom–Zimbabwe relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980.[149]
Zimbabwe was a possession of the British South Africa Company from 1888 to 1923, until BSAC transferred its administration rights to the British Government. The UK governed Zimbabwe from 1923 to 1980, when Zimbabwe achieved full independence under the Lancaster House Agreement. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization, and the Eastern and Southern Africa-UK Economic Partnership Agreement: a free trade agreement.[254] |
Asia[edit]
| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan | 1921 | See Afghanistan–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan on 22 November 1921.[108] The UK currently recognises the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government, over the de facto Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan government, as the legal administrator of the country.
The UK governed Afghanistan from 1879–1919, until Afghanistan achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Armenia | 1992 | See Armenia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Armenia on 20 January 1992.[177]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Azerbaijan | 1992 | See Azerbaijan–United Kingdom relations Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). |
| Bahrain | 1971 | See Bahrain–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Bahrain on 21 August 1971.[152]
The UK governed Bahrain from 1861 to 1971, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Bahrain is a member, are negotiating a free trade agreement. |
 Bhutan | N/A | See Foreign relations of Bhutan The UK has not established diplomatic relations with Bhutan; the UK does recognise Bhutan to be a sovereign nation. Relations between Bhutan and the UK date back to the 18th Century[263] |
| Brunei | 1984 | See Brunei–United Kingdom relations In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, gaining its independence from British rule less than 100 years later in 1984. The UK and Brunei have a long-standing and strong bilateral relationship, particularly on defence co-operation, trade and education. The UK continues to play a strong role in developing Brunei's oil and gas sector, and the Brunei Investment Agency is a significant investor in the UK, with their largest overseas operations in the City of London. The UK remains the destination of choice for Bruneian students, with about 1,220 of them enrolled in higher education in the UK in 2006–07. The United Kingdom has a high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan, and Brunei has a high commission in London. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
| Cambodia | 1952 | See Cambodia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Cambodia on 5 May 1952.[125]
The UK broke off diplomatic relations with Cambodia in 1975, following the Fall of Phnom Penh; diplomatic relations were restored in 1991.[266] Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| China | 1954 | See China–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on 17 June 1954.[126]
The UK governed the territories of Hong Kong, from 1841 to 1941 and 1945 to 1997, as well as Weihaiwei from 1898 to 1930. Both countries share common membership of the G20, UNSC P5, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Cyprus | 1960 | See Cyprus–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Cyprus on 16 August 1960.[117]
Cyprus was ruled by the United Kingdom from 1878, until it achieved independence on 16 August 1960. The UK is a signatory to the Treaty of Guarantee, which maintains that Britain is a "guarantor power" of Cyprus's independence; the UK maintains the two sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus.[270] Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Georgia | 1992 | See Georgia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Georgia on 27 April 1992.[184]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. The two countries also have a free trade agreement.[273] |
 Hong Kong | N/A | See Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations The UK established modern diplomatic relations with Hong Kong on 1 July 1997.
Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841–1997, apart from a period of Japanese occupation from 1941–1945. Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred to the People's Republic of China in 1997. Both territories share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| India | 1947 | See India–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with India on 14 August 1947.[117]
The UK governed the India from 1858 to 1947, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, G20, and the World Trade Organization. The two countries are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. |
| Indonesia | 1949 | See Indonesia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Indonesia on 27 December 1949.[122]
Both countries share common membership of the G20, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Iran | 1801 | See Iran–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Iran on 4 January 1801.[67] |
| Iraq | 1932 | See Iraq–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Iraq on 4 October 1932.[113]
The UK governed Iraq from 1921 until 1932, when it achieved full independence. |
| Israel | 1948 | See Israel–United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consul in Eilat.[281] Israel has an embassy and a consulate in London. The UK's closest partner in the Middle East is Israel, and Israel's closest partner in Europe is the UK.[282][283] |
| Japan | 1854 | See Japan–United Kingdom relations Contact began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams (Adams the Pilot, Miura Anjin) on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture. During the Sakoku period (1641–1853) there were no relations. but with the impact of Industrial Revolution, British thread company launched its business in 1907 and thrived. The treaty of 1854 saw the resumption of ties which, despite the hiatus of the Second World War, remain very strong in the present day. |
| Kazakhstan | 1992 | See Kazakhstan–United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom opened an embassy in Kazakhstan in October 1992 and Kazakhstan opened an embassy in Britain in February 1996.[284] Kazakhstan's relations with the West have greatly improved in the last few years as the Government has closely cooperated in the United States-led War on Terror. See also Counter-terrorism in Kazakhstan Britain is the third-largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan with British companies making up 14 per cent of foreign direct investment. Over 100 British companies do business in Kazakhstan.[285] |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1992 | See Kyrgyzstan–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan on 12 June 1992.[187]
Both countries share common membership of the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
 Macao | N/A | See Foreign relations of Macao There is no British Embassy in Macao. The Consulate-General in Hong Kong develops and maintains relations between the UK and Macao.[287] |
| Malaysia | 1957 | See Malaysia–United Kingdom relations  The UK established diplomatic relations with Malaysia on 31 August 1957.[129]
The UK governed the Malaysia from 1826 to 1942 and 1945 to 1957, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, CPTPP, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Maldives | 1965 | See Foreign relations of the Maldives The UK established diplomatic relations with the Maldives on 26 July 1965.[144]
The UK governed the Maldives from 1796 to 1965, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization. The two countries are currently negotiating a free trade agreement.[292] |
| Myanmar | 1947 | See Myanmar–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Myanmar on 7 July 1947.[120]
The UK governed Myanmar from 1824–1948, aside from a period of Japanese occupation from 1942–1945, it achieved full independence.[294] Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Nepal | 1816 | See Nepal–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Nepal on 4 March 1816, with the Treaty of Sugauli.[69] Relations between the UK and Nepal have historically been friendly and there have been close links between the Royal Families. The UK is highly regarded in Nepal as a result of historical ties, development assistance and long-term support in the struggle for democratic peace in Nepal. |
| North Korea | 2000 | See North Korea–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with North Korea on 12 December 2000.[196] |
| Oman | 1971 | See Oman–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Oman on 21 May 1971.[149]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Oman is a member, are negotiating a free trade agreement. |
| Pakistan | 1947 | See Pakistan–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Pakistan on 14 August 1947.[117]
The UK governed Pakistan from 1824 to 1947, as part of the British Raj which also included modern day India and Bangladesh, until it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization. |
 Palestine | N/A | See Palestine–United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom maintains a consulate in Jerusalem which handles British relations with the Palestinian Authority.[300] The Foreign and Commonwealth Office states the "Consular district covers Jerusalem (West and East), the West Bank and Gaza. As well as work on the Middle East Peace Process and other political issues, the consulate also promotes trade between the UK and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and manages an extensive programme of aid and development work. The latter is undertaken primarily by the DFID office in Jerusalem.".[300] The Palestinian Authority is represented in London by Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom.[300] |
| Philippines | 1946 | See Philippines–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with the Philippines on 4 July 1946.[118]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Qatar | 1971 | See Qatar–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Qatar on 6 September 1971.[153]
The UK governed Qatar from 1916 to 1971, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Qatar is a member, are negotiating a free trade agreement. |
| Saudi Arabia | 1927 | See Saudi Arabia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia on 20 May 1927.[111]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is a member, are negotiating a free trade agreement. |
| Singapore | 1965 | See Singapore–United Kingdom relations Singapore and the United Kingdom share a friendly relationship since Singapore became independent from the United Kingdom in 1959. Singapore retained the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal up till 1989 (fully abolished in 1994) due to political reasons. |
| South Korea | 1883[306] | See South Korea–United Kingdom relations
|
| Sri Lanka | 1948 | See Sri Lanka–United Kingdom relations
|
| Syria | 1942 | See Syria–United Kingdom relations In 2001, positive relations were developed between Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Syrian government, as part of the War on Terror. Since the 2011 civil war, relations have deteriorated, and the UK was one of the first countries to recognise the opposition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. |
 Taiwan | N/A | See Taiwan–United Kingdom relations The UK has not established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan; the UK does not recognise Taiwan to be a sovereign nation.
In 1950, the UK switched its recognition from the Republic of China (ROC) to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).[311] Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Tajikistan | 1992 | See Foreign relations of Tajikistan The UK established diplomatic relations with Tajikistan on 15 January 1992.[173]
Both countries share common membership of the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Thailand | 1855 | See Thailand–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Thailand on 18 April 1855.[90]
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| Turkey | 1793 | See Turkey–United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom is the second biggest importer of goods from Turkey, after Germany. Turkey exports around 8 per cent of its total goods to the United Kingdom.[321] Around 1,000,000 Britons take holidays in Turkey every year, while 100,000 Turks travel to the UK for business or pleasure.[322] The United Kingdom does not recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The TRNC is only recognised by Turkey. The UK is also a signatory to a treaty with Greece and Turkey concerning the independence of Cyprus, the Treaty of Guarantee, which maintains that Britain is a "guarantor power" of the island's independence.[270] Both countries are members of NATO. |
| Turkmenistan | 1992 | See Foreign relations of Turkmenistan The UK established diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan on 23 January 1992.[178]
Both countries share common membership of the OSCE. |
| United Arab Emirates | 1971 | See United Arab Emirates–United Kingdom relations
|
| Uzbekistan | 1992 | See United Kingdom–Uzbekistan relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan on 18 February 1992.[181]
Both countries share common membership of the OSCE. |
| Vietnam | 1973 | See United Kingdom–Vietnam relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Vietnam on 11 September 1973.[155]
The UK occupied Southern Vietnam and Saigon from 1945–1946. Both countries share common membership of CPTPP, and the World Trade Organization. The UK and Vietnam entered into a strategic partnership agreement in 2010.[329] The UK and Vietnam have a United Kingdom–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.[330] |
Europe[edit]
| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 1921 | See Albania–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Albania on 9 November 1921.[107]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. The two countries also have a free trade agreement.[333] |
| Andorra | 1994[334] | See Foreign relations of Andorra
|
| Austria | 1799 | See Austria–United Kingdom relations |
| Belarus | 1992 | See Belarus–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Belarus on 27 January 1992.[179]
Both countries share common membership of the OSCE. |
| Belgium | 1830 | See Belgium–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Belgium on 1 December 1830.[76]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[343] Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1992 | See Bosnia and Herzegovina–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina on 13 April 1992.[183]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. |
| Bulgaria | 1879 | See Bulgaria–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Bulgaria on 23 June 1879.[95]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Croatia | 1992 | See Croatia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Croatia on 24 June 1992.[186]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Czech Republic | 1993 | See Czech Republic–United Kingdom relations
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996.[352] Both countries are members of NATO. |
| Denmark | 1490 | See Denmark–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Denmark on 2 May 1490.[62]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Estonia | 1991 | See Estonia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Estonia on 5 September 1991.[170]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
 European Union | N/A | See European Union–United Kingdom relations The UK was a founding member of the European Union on 1 November 1993; it seceded on 1 January 2021.[356]
Both the EU and the UK share common membership of the G7, G20, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Finland | 1919 | See Finland–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Finland on 28 March 1919.[103]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| France | 1396 | See France–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with France in 1396.[61]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, G7, G20, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Germany | 1951 | See Germany–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany on 20 June 1951.[123]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, G7, G20, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Greece | 1833 | See Greece–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Greece on 1 January 1833.[77]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Holy See | 1982 | See Holy See–United Kingdom relations With the English Reformation, diplomatic links between London and the Holy See, which had been established in 1479, were interrupted in 1536 and again, after a brief restoration in 1553, in 1558. Formal diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Holy See were restored in 1914 and raised to ambassadorial level in 1982.[365][366] |
| Hungary | 1921 | See also Hungary–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Hungary on 22 May 1921.[106]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Iceland | 1944 | See Iceland–United Kingdom relations
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and NATO. |
| Ireland | 1922 | See Ireland–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Ireland on 6 December 1922.[109]
The UK governed parts of Ireland from the 12th century until 1800, when it was incorporated into the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland achieved full independence on the 6 December 1922.[109] Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Common Travel Area, Council of Europe, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Italy | 1859 | See Italy–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Italy on 13 April 1859.[93]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, G7, G20, NATO, OECD, OSCE and the World Trade Organization. |
| Kosovo | 2008 | See Kosovo–United Kingdom relations When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to officially announce recognition of sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008.[379][380] The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008.[381] Kosovo has an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. |
| Latvia | 1991 | See Foreign relations of Latvia
Both countries are members of NATO. |
| Lithuania | 1991 | See Lithuania–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Lithuania on 4 September 1991.[169]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Luxembourg | 1879 | See Foreign relations of Luxembourg The UK established diplomatic relations with Luxembourg on 27 November 1879.[96]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Malta | 1964 | See Malta–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Malta on 7 September 1964.[117]
The UK governed Malta from 1878 until 1964, when it achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Moldova | 1992 | See Moldova–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Moldova on 17 January 1992.[174]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. The UK and Moldova have a bilateral free trade agreement.[391] |
| Montenegro | 2006 | See Montenegro–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Montenegro on 13 June 2006.[198]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Netherlands | 1603 | See Netherlands–United Kingdom relations
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] and NATO. |
| Norway | 1905 | See Norway–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Norway on 6 November 1905.[100]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Poland | 1919 | See Poland–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Poland on 15 July 1919.[104]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Portugal | 1386 | See Portugal–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Portugal on 9 May 1386.[60]
The bilateral relation dates back to the Middle Ages in 1373 with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Romania | 1880 | See Romania–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Romania on 20 February 1880.[97]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Russia | 1553 | See Russia–United Kingdom relations
Spanning nearly five centuries, the relationship has often switched from a state of alliance to rivalry. Both countries were allies during World War I and II. During the Cold War, both countries participated in intense espionage activity against each other. In the early-21st century, especially following the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006, relations became strained again, and since 2014 have grown more unfriendly due to the Russo-Ukrainian War and to activities by Russia such as the suspected 2018 poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, seen as hostile by the UK and by many in the Western world. In the wake of the poisoning, 28 countries expelled suspected Russian spies acting as diplomats.[408] |
| San Marino | 1899 | See San Marino–United Kingdom relations
|
| Serbia | 1837 | See Serbia–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Serbia on 20 February 1880.[79]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, and OSCE. |
| Slovakia | 1993 | See Slovakia–United Kingdom relations
Both countries are members of NATO. |
| Slovenia | 1992 | See Foreign relations of Slovenia Both countries are members of NATO. |
| Spain | 1505 | See Spain–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Spain on 1505.[63]
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[203] Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. |
| Sweden | 1653 | See Sweden–United Kingdom relations
Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. |
| Switzerland | 1689 | See Switzerland–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Switzerland on 30 August 1689.[65]
Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. The two countries have a bilateral free trade agreement.[423] |
| Ukraine | 1991 | See Ukraine–United Kingdom relations
|
North America[edit]
| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1981 | See Antigua and Barbuda–United Kingdom relations The UK established diplomatic relations with Antigua and Barbuda on 1 November 1981.[149] Both countries are
|