FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Costa Rica is a founding member of the Organization of the United Nations maintains diplomatic relations with most countries of America and Europe, but with Cuba, so consular, it does so from the administration of Abel Pacheco de la Espriella (2002-2006).

However, the March 18, 2009, by executive decree, the government of Oscar Arias Sanchez restores diplomatic relations with the island.

The conservative government of Abel Pacheco was characterized as submissive to U.S. foreign policy and supported the Iraq War, and was questioned its affinity to Taiwan.

From Oscar Arias administration some changes were made as was the withdrawal of support for the Iraq War, the rupture of diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishing the People's Republic of China, and the transfer of the Costa Rican embassy in Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv (gesture immediately imitated by El Salvador, the only two countries with embassies in Jerusalem). Costa Rica had no diplomatic relations with any Arab country except Lebanon due to the presence of its embassy in Jerusalem, but now maintains relations with the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Baréin, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Yemen.

On January 26, 2010 Arias announced the opening of diplomatic relations with the emirate of Qatar and the opening of embassies in the capitals of both countries, following the visit of Emir Hamad Al Thani to Costa Rica that day.

Some of the controversial diplomatic decisions of the Arias administration include the recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign nation and the request of President Arias of the Dalai Lama not to visit Costa Rica in 2008 to avoid friction with China.

During the Arias administration began diplomatic relations with Montenegro, Uganda, Congo, Botswana, Swaziland, Burundi, Guinea and San Marino.

There were diplomatic friction between the government of Costa Rica and the governments of Cuba and Venezuela during the Arias administration (which is why Venezuela considered the possibility of closing the aluminum plant owned Venezuelan ALUNASA which employed hundreds of Costa Ricans, but ultimately not did).

Perhaps the most complicated situation of Costa Rican diplomatic relations is the long-running dispute with Nicaragua that supports the right of navigation of the Rio San Juan.

Costa Rica is not a member of the Central American Parliament. Arias said the government had no plans to enter the Central American Parliament.

                                                                                     

At present the Republic of Costa Rica maintains consular and diplomatic offices in the following countries: 89.

-America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile , Peru and Ecuador.

-Europe: Spain, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Austria, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Slovakia.

-Middle East: Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Tasting.

-Asia: China, South Korea, Japan, Philippines and India.

-Africa: South Africa.