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Nauru - Foreign Relations (Notes)

FOREIGN RELATIONS Following independence in 1968, Nauru joined the Commonwealth as a Special Member. Special Members take part in all Commonwealth activities except heads of government meetings. They are not assessed but make voluntary contributions toward the running of the Secretariat. They are eligible for all forms of technical assistance. Nauru was admitted to the United Nations in 1999. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the South Pacific Commission, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. In 2001 at Australia's request, Nauru became host to approximately 1,200 asylum seekers, mostly Afghan, who were intercepted while attempting to enter Australia illegally. By mid-2006, only a single Iraqi refugee remained on the island, having been assessed by Australia as a security risk and thus ineligible to enter Australia. In September 2006, Australia effectively re-opened the center by transferring seven Burmese asylum seekers there for assessment. In exchange for housing the refugees while their asylum applications were adjudicated, Australia has provided Nauru with extensive grants and aid. In March 2007, Australia transferred 82 Sri Lankan refugees to the processing center in Nauru, which had been significantly upgraded in the preceding months. During 2002 Nauru severed diplomatic recognition with Taiwan and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. This move followed China's promise to provide more than U.S. $130 million in aid. However, in May 2005, Nauru re-established diplomatic ties with Taiwan, ending its relationship with China. Taiwan remains one of only two countries, the other being Australia, with a diplomatic mission on Nauru. In March 2007, Nauru established an embassy in Taipei.