Foreign Relations of The Cook Islands

The article foreign relations of the Cook Islands refers about foreign policy of the Cook Islands and about relations of the Cook Islands with other countries and multilateral organizations.

The Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations with 32 states. Cook islands has 2 diplomatic Missions, a High Commission in New Zealand and an Embassy accredited to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. The Cook Islands Ambassador to the EU was Todd McClay. McClay retired from that position and moved back to New Zealand to successfully contest the Roturua seat in the 2008 New Zealand General Election. James Gosselin, the Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs, currently serves as the Cook Islands non-resident representative to the European Union resident in Rarotonga.

In 1992, after receiving declaration by New Zealand and the gradual evolution of the Cook Islands responsibility for its own foreign affairs, the UN Secretariat recognized the full treaty-making capacity of the Cook Islands.

In 2000 the Cook Islands government signed the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).

Upon signature of this agreement the Cook Islands Government established a representation to the EU in Brussels. In 2002 this representation was upgraded to a full diplomatic mission with accreditation to the European Union. The establishment of this mission marked an important development in Cook Islands international relations representing the first full diplomatic mission established by the Cook Islands outside of Pacific countries.

The Cook Islands Mission to the European Communities interacts with European Union institutions, the ACP Group of States and other bilateral country representations and embassies.