Palau gained its independence October 1, 1994 with the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association with the United States. Palau was the last Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands territories to gain its independence. Under the Compact, the U.S. remains responsible for Palau's defense for 50 years.
Palau is a sovereign nation and conducts its own foreign relations.
Palau was admitted to the United Nations on December 15, 1994, and has since joined several other international organizations. In 2004, Stuart Beck was appointed to serve as Palau's first permanent representative to the United Nations. Along with the other former Trust Territories, Palau is one of a handful of countries that regularly votes with Israel in the United Nations General Assembly.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which Palau maintains diplomatic relations with:
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Bilateral relations
Americas
CountryNotes Mexico is accredited to Palau from its embassy in Manila, Philippines.Embassy of Mexico in the PhilippinesSee Palau–United States relations
Both countries are members of the Compact of Free Association. Palau has an embassy in Washington, D.C. United States has an embassy in Airai.
Asia
CountryNotesSee India–Palau relations
As per the Ministry of External Affairs of India, India established diplomatic relations with Palau in April 1995. Development assistance from India has included a grant of US$149,841 for purchase of kitchen equipment for Palau National Hospital, US $ in 2008 for purchase of a boat and two pick-up trucks, US$100,000 in June 2010 for purchase of computers and grant of 2 ITEC scholarships in 2010–11. Palau has been supportive of issues of importance to India, particularly Indian candidature to international organizations. It supported India's candidature for the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2011–12 term. Presently, there are about 15 Indian nationals in Palau.See Israel–Palau relationsSee Japan–Palau relations
Diplomatic relations between Japan and Palau were established in December 1994. Japan maintains an embassy at Ngerekebesang in Koror. Japan is currently the second largest donor to Palau after the United States. Ministerial level visits are frequent between the two countries, and Palau is a popular tourist destination for Japanese travellers. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko made a state visit to Palau in April 2015. See Palau–Philippines relations
Both countries were incorporated by Spain in the Spanish East Indies, where the capital was Manila, during the 16th century and was formalized in Palau in the 17th century. Palau was a part, and was represented, in the congress of the First Philippine Republic., but due to the German-Spanish Treaty was eventually handed over to Germany, ending Philippine-Palau relations during that period. Formal diplomatic relations were again made on July 15, 1997, after Palau became independent from the United States. Palau's 2025 census recorded 2,823 residents with Philippine citizenship, 17.1% of valid responses. Few of Palau's students are educated in the Philippines, notably in Mindanao's top universities. The Philippine embassy in Koror closed on July 31, 2012. Palau and the Philippines are currently discussing the bordering of their maritime borders to negate any future clashes on the matter. See Palau–Taiwan relations Palau has been strengthening relations with the Republic of China in economic and political relations since 1994.
Europe CountryNotes Germany is represented in Palau through its embassy in the Philippines. Palau–Serbia relations Both nations are members of the United Nations where they cooperate on issues of climate change. Two countries collaborate through their non-resident embassies in Tokyo.See Palau–Spain relations See Palau–United Kingdom relations Palau established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 August 1996. Palau does not maintain an embassy in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is not accredited to Palau through an embassy; the UK develops relations through its embassy in Manila, Philippines.
Both countries share common membership of the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.
Oceania
CountryNotesSee Australia–Palau relationsSee Marshall Islands-Palau relationsSee Federated States of Micronesia–Palau relations
Military relations The Palau government has agreed to host a large United States Air Force high-frequency radar station in Palau, a Tactical Multi-Mission Over the Horizon Radar (TACMOR) system costing well over $100 million, which is expected to be operational in 2026.
Palau has participated in various U.S. military exercises over the years, including Exercise Valiant Shield. The first-launch in Palau of a Patriot surface-to-air missile by the U.S. took place in 2022 Valiant Shield, which also had the experimental deployment of A-10 Warthogs at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport.
See also Compact of Free Association List of diplomatic missions in Palau List of diplomatic missions of Palau Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
References