The government's official policy is one of nonalignment. In its search for assistance to meet the goal of national reconstruction, the government of Equatorial Guinea has established diplomatic relations with numerous European and Third World countries. Having achieved independence under UN sponsorship, Equatorial Guinea feels a special kinship with that organization. It became the 126th UN member on November 12, 1968. Equatorial Guinea served as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council from 2017 to 2019.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Equatorial Guinea maintains diplomatic relations with:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |frameless|425x425px
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|1
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|2
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|3
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|4
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|5
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|6
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|7
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|8
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|9
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|10
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|11
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|12
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|13
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|14
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|15
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|16
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|17
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|18
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|19
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|20
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|21
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|22
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|23
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|24
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|25
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|26
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|27
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|28
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|29
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|30
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|31
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|32
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|33
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|34
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|35
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|36
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|37
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|38
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|39
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|40
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|41
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|42
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|43
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|44
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|45
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|46
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|47
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|48
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|49
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|50
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|51
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|52
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|53
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|54
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|55
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|—
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|56
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|57
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|58
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|59
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|60
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|61
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|62
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|63
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|64
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|65
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|66
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|67
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|68
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|69
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|70
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|71
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|72
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|—
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|73
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|74
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|75
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|76
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|77
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|78
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|79
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|80
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|81
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|82
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|83
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|84
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|85
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|86
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|87
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|88
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|89
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|90
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|91
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|92
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|—
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|93
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|94
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|95
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|96
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|97
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|98
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|99
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|100
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|101
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|102
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|103
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|104
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|105
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|106
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|107
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|108
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|109
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|110
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|111
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|112
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|113
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|114
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|115
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|116
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|117
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|118
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|119
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|120
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|121
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|122
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|123
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|124
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|125
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|126
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|127
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|128
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|129
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|130
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|131
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|132
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|133
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|134
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|135
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|136
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|137
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|138
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|139
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|140
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|141
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|142
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|143
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|144
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|145
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|146
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|Unknown
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|147
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|Unknown
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|148
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|Unknown
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|149
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|Unknown
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|150
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|Unknown
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Bilateral relations
Africa
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
! style="width:120pt;"| Country
! style="width:80pt;"| Formal relations established
! Notes
|- valign="top"
|||27 October 1968||
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 October 1968
In December 2008, Equatorial Guinea security forces killed a Cameroonian fisherman and abducted two immigrants, Cameroon closed its border in response.
- Cameroon has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate in Bata.
|- valign="top"
|||12 July 1971||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1971 when first Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to People's Republic of the Congo Mr. Clemente Aqueda presented his cedentials to President Ngouabi
- Congo-Brazzavile has an embassy in Malabo.
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Brazzaville.
|- valign="top"
|||1968||Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1968
- Gabon has an embassy in Malabo.
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Libreville and a consulate-general in Oyem.
|- valign="top"
|||5 May 1993||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 May 1993
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Pretoria.
- South Africa has an embassy in Malabo.
|}
Americas
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
! style="width:120pt;"| Country
! style="width:80pt;"| Formal relations established
! Notes
|- valign="top"
|||20 August 1980||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1980
- Canada is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
- Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Canada from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
|- valign="top"
|||26 September 1975||See Equatorial Guinea–Mexico relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1975
- Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
- Mexico is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
|- valign="top"
|||21 November 1968||See Equatorial Guinea–United States relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1968, diplomatic relations suspension from 14 March 1976 to 19 December 1979.
thumb|right|Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Washington, D.C.
In 1995, the United States closed its embassy, ostensibly for budget reasons, though the ambassador of the time had been accused of witchcraft, and had criticised the human rights situation. In 1996, offshore oil began flowing, and, with several US oil companies present in the country, the US reopened the embassy in October 2003. The US has sought to encourage the progress of human rights to the country by addressing its concerns directly to the government, as well as holding seminars for better police conduct and judicial conferences with US judges to improve the rule of law.
The US State Department on relations between United States and Equatorial Guinea remarks:"Equatorial Guinea’s hydrocarbon riches dwarf all other economic activity; the country’s oil reserves are located mainly in the Gulf of Guinea. U.S. oil companies are one of Equatorial Guinea’s largest investors, and they have a lead role in oil and gas exploration and extraction. Equatorial Guinea’s exports to the U.S. are dominated by petroleum products. In an effort to attract increased U.S. investment, U.S. passport-holders are entitled to visa-free entry. Imports from the U.S. include machinery, iron and steel products, optic and medical instruments, and inorganic chemical and rare earth minerals. The U.S. is following closely Equatorial Guinea’s discussions with The International Monetary Fund on a possible program aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit, increase non-oil revenue, address public financial management weaknesses (while protecting social spending), and improve governance and transparency in public administration and the hydrocarbon sector."
- United States has an embassy in Malabo.
|- valign="top"
|||7 May 1981||See Equatorial Guinea–Venezuela relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 May 1981
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Caracas.
- Venezuela has an embassy in Malabo.
|}
Asia
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
! style="width:120pt;"| Country
! style="width:80pt;"| Formal relations established
! Notes
|- valign="top"
|||15 October 1970||See China–Equatorial Guinea relations
The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1970.
- China has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata.
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Beijing.
|- valign="top"
|||1968||See Equatorial Guinea–India relations
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in New Delhi.
- India has an embassy in Malabo.
|- valign="top"
|||30 January 1969||See Equatorial Guinea–North Korea relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1969
- Equatorial Guinea is accredited to North Korea from its embassy in Beijing, China.
- North Korea has an embassy in Malabo.
|- valign="top"
|||14 September 1979||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1979
- Equatorial Guinea is accredited to South Korea from its embassy in Beijing, China.
- South Korea is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Libreville, Gabon.
|- valign="top"
|||16 September 1980||See Equatorial Guinea–Turkey relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 September 1980
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Ankara.
- Turkey has an embassy in Malabo.
- Trade volume between the two countries was US$23.8 million in 2019 (Guinean exports/imports: 3.6/20.2 million USD).
- There are direct flights from Istanbul to Malabo since 7 February 2020.
|}
Europe
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
! style="width:120pt;"| Country
! style="width:80pt;"| Formal relations established
! Notes
|- valign="top"
|||7 June 1969||See Equatorial Guinea–Germany relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 June 1969
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Berlin.
- Germany has an embassy in Malabo.
|- valign="top"
|||7 December 1968||See Equatorial Guinea–Russia relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1968
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Moscow.
- Russia is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
|- valign="top"
|||12 October 1968||See Equatorial Guinea–Spain relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 October 1968
A transitional agreement, signed in October 1968, implemented a Spanish preindependence decision to assist Equatorial Guinea and provided for the temporary maintenance of Spanish military forces there. A dispute with President Francisco Macías Nguema in 1969 led to a request that all Spanish troops immediately depart, and many civilians left at the same time. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were never broken but were suspended by Spain in March 1977 in the wake of renewed disputes. After Macías' fall in 1979, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo asked for Spanish assistance, and since then, Spain has regained influence in Equatorial Guinea's diplomatic relations. The two countries signed permanent agreements for economic and technical cooperation, private concessions, and trade relations. President Obiang made an official visit to Madrid in March 2001, and senior Spanish Foreign Ministry officials visited Malabo during 2001 as well. Spain maintained a bilateral assistance program in Equatorial Guinea. Some Equato-Guinean opposition elements are based in Spain to the annoyance of the government in Malabo.
- Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate in Las Palmas.
- Spain has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata.
|- valign="top"
|||20 June 1969|| Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 20 June 1969.
- Equatorial Guinea does not maintain an embassy in the United Kingdom; the Equatoguinean government closed its embassy in London.
- The United Kingdom is not accredited to Equatorial Guinea through an embassy; the UK develops relations through its high commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact.
|}
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Equatorial Guinea
- List of diplomatic missions of Equatorial Guinea
References
External links
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea
- Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in London, United Kingdom
- United States Embassy in Malabo
- Honorary Consul of Equatorial Guinea and Investment Opportunities in Bucharest, Romania (Spanish)
- Curriculum Vitae of Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister H.E. Don Pastor Micha Ondo Bile (Spanish)