Belize–United Kingdom relations

Belize–United Kingdom relations

Belize
United Kingdom

Belize–United Kingdom relations relations encompass the diplomatic, economic, and historical interactions between Belize and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.[1] Both countries are Commonwealth Realms.

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact,[2] Caribbean Development Bank, the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement.[3] Bilaterally the two countries have a Defence Cooperation Agreement,[4] and an Investment Agreement.[5]

History

The UK governed Belize from 1783 to 1981, when Belize achieved full independence.

Belize was granted independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. Formerly known as British Honduras, the British maintained a garrison in Belize well into the 1990s, until Guatemala, which has always claimed sovereignty of the country, signed a treaty recognizing Belize's independence.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Belize on two occasions. The first time was in October 1985 and the second time in February 1994.[6] On 3 March 2012, Prince Harry visited Belize on a tour of Commonwealth countries in the region as the Queen's representative in her Diamond Jubilee, making this his first solo royal tour. There he renamed Zennia Boulevard (also known as Cohune Walk Boulevard) in the capital to "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard", in honour of his grandmother.[7]

Economic relations

From 29 December 2008 until 30 December 2020, trade between the Belize and the UK was governed by the CARIFORUM–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union.[8]

Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and the CARIFORUM states signed the CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement on 22 March 2019. The CARIFORUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement is a continuity trade agreement, based on the EU free trade agreement, which entered into force on 1 January 2021.[9][10] Trade value between CARIFORUM states and the United Kingdom was worth £5,108 million in 2022.[11]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ^ Government of Belize. "Diplomatic Relations" (PDF). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  2. ^ @SciDiplomacyUSA (15 February 2024). "In 🇧🇿, Ambassador Lapenn welcomed the newest member of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, meeting with govt officials & NGOs to discuss sustainable economic development, scientific collaboration, & environmental conservation opportunities among the Atlantic community" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Partington, Richard (22 March 2019). "UK secures post-Brexit trade deal with group of Caribbean countries". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  4. ^ Miller, Phil; Kennard, Matt (4 February 2020). "Exclusive: Britain uses vast swashes of one the world's most biodiverse countries for military training — and pays nothing". Declassified UK. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Belize - United Kingdom BIT (1982)". UN Trade and Development. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  6. ^ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second in Belize, 1994
  7. ^ "Festivities for Prince Harry in Belmopan". BelmopanCityOnline.com. 27 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  8. ^ "EU - CARIFORUM States". World Trade Organization. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  9. ^ Department for International Trade; Hollingbery, George (22 March 2019). "UK signs trade continuity agreement with Caribbean countries". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference epa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Department for International Trade (3 November 2022). "UK trade agreements in effect". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  12. ^ Diplomat Magazine (1 February 2016). "Belize". Diplomat Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  13. ^ "British High Commission Belmopan". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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