Europe
The UK has had good relations with the rest of Europe since the Second World War. It became a member of the European Economic Community in 1973, which eventually evolved into the European Union through the Maastricht Treaty twenty years later. Although the UK does not use the Euro and is not a member of the Eurozone, it still plays a leading role in the day to day workings of the EU.
Britain has a century-long alliance with France, through the Entente Cordiale, which was reconfirmed through the November 2010 Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty – setting up a joint expeditionary force, joint naval battlegroup capability and some nuclear collaboration – as well as extremely close cooperation with France over the 2011 Libyan civil war and Libyan no-fly zone.
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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Albania | See Albania-United Kingdom relations
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Andorra | 1994-03-09 | See Foreign relations of Andorra
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Austria | See Austria-United Kingdom relations
Relations between the Austrian Empire and England were established in the Middle Ages. The United Kingdom and Austria continue these relations. Both countries are full members of the European Union. |
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Belarus | See Foreign relations of Belarus
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Belgium | See Belgium–United Kingdom relations
The two countries have trading links going back to the 10th century, especially wool trade from England to the County of Flanders. |
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Bosnia and Herzegovina | See Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Bulgaria | 1879-07 | See Bulgaria–United Kingdom relations
Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO. |
Croatia | See Foreign relations of Croatia
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Cyprus | Cyprus is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above
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Czech Republic | See Czech Republic–United Kingdom relations
HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996. |
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Denmark | See Denmark–United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom has an embassy in Copenhagen and Denmark has an embassy in London. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark paid state visits to the United Kingdom in April/May 1974, and in February 2000. HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid state visits to Denmark in May 1957, and in May 1979. |
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Estonia | See Foreign relations of Estonia
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Finland | See Foreign relations of Finland
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France | See France–United Kingdom relations
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Georgia | See Georgia–United Kingdom relations
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Germany | See Germany–United Kingdom relations
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Greece | See Greece–United Kingdom relations
The two countries share membership of the European Union and NATO, but the issue of the Elgin Marbles removed from the Parthenon by the Earl of Elgin in 1806 and still housed in the British Museum has not been resolved. |
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Holy See | 1982 | See Holy See–United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom did not re-establish relations until 1914. Full relations were recognised in 1982 when Pope John Paul II visited the UK. |
Hungary | 1920 | See Foreign relations of Hungary
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Iceland | See Iceland–United Kingdom relations
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Ireland | See Ireland–United Kingdom relations
Under the Ireland Act 1949 Irish citizens are treated as though they are Commonwealth citizens and not aliens for the purposes of law. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above. |
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Italy | See Italy–United Kingdom relations
Between 4 and 5 million British tourists visit Italy every year, while 1 million Italian tourists visit the UK. There are about 19,000 British nationals living in Italy, and 150,000 Italians living in the UK.
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Kosovo | 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. The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008. Kosovo has an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. |
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Latvia | See Foreign relations of Latvia
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Lithuania | 1991-09-04 | See Lithuania–United Kingdom relations
There are around 100,000 Lithuanians living in the United Kingdom. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. In 2006, HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip paid an official state visit to Lithuania.
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Malta | See Malta-United Kingdom relations
Malta is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. See Commonwealth of Nations & Ireland Section above. |
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Moldova | 1992-01-17 | See Foreign relations of Moldova
The number of British and Moldovan citizens in Moldova and the United Kingdom respectively is insignificant. When visiting Moldova no visa obligation exists for British citizens for stays in Moldova less than 90 days, otherwise a visa is required. For Moldovan citizens a visa is required for any border crossing, except for transfer passengers.
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Montenegro | 2006-06-13 | See Foreign relations of Montenegro
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Netherlands | See Netherlands–United Kingdom relations
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Norway | 1905 | See Norway–United Kingdom relations
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Poland | See Poland–United Kingdom relations
In the 1990s and 2000s democratic Poland has maintained close relations with Britain; both in defence matters and within the EU; Britain being one of only a few countries allowing equal rights to Polish workers upon their accession in 2004. |
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Portugal | See Portugal–United Kingdom relations
The relationship dates back to the Middle Ages in 1373 with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. |
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Romania | 1880 | See Romania–United Kingdom relations
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Russia | See Russia–United Kingdom relations
Spanning nearly five centuries, the relationship has often switched from a state of alliance to rivalry. Presently there is a diplomatic row going on over extraditions. |
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San Marino | See San Marino–United Kingdom relations
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Serbia | 1837 | See Serbia–United Kingdom relations
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Slovakia | 1993 |
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Slovenia | See Foreign relations of Slovenia
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Spain | See Spain–United Kingdom relations
During the Second World War Spain remained neutral, but were perceived to be closely aligned with Nazi Germany. Following the end of the war, frosty relations continued between the two states until the end of the Franco era and the democratisation of Spain. |
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Sweden | See Foreign relations of Sweden
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Switzerland | See Switzerland and the European Union
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Turkey | See Turkey–United Kingdom relations
The United Kingdom is the second biggest importer of goods from Turkey, after Germany. Turkey exports around 8% of its total goods to the United Kingdom. Around 1,000,000 Britons take holidays in Turkey every year, while 100,000 Turks travel to the UK for business or pleasure. The United Kingdom does not recognise the 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. |
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Ukraine | See Ukraine–United Kingdom relations
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Read more about this topic: Foreign Relations Of The United Kingdom
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