Countries, economies and regions

Cook Islands comprises 15 small islands, spread over 2.2 million square kilometres, between American Samoa and French Polynesia, South of Hawaii. Avrarua, on the island of Rarotonga, is the national capital. The islands are home to a population of approximately 17,500 people. There are at least four times as many Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia.

A large and growing source of international students in Australia, we share common interests in the rules and institutions that help promote growth and security.

Australia and Chile established diplomatic relations in 1945, and Australia opened a diplomatic legation in Santiago in 1946. In 1968, Australia upgraded to an embassy in Chile, a move reciprocated by Chile in 1969.

The Australia-Canada relationship is mature, productive and broadly based.

Australia and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 1952. Our strong support for the Cambodian Peace Process in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including our leading role in the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC, 1992-1993), is still appreciated by the Cambodian people.

Australia has had diplomatic relations with Myanmar since 1952. Myanmar is in a period of crisis following the coup on 1 February 2021. The Australian Government has made clear its deep concerns at the deteriorating political, economic and development situation, particularly in relation to the shocking violence and the high number of deaths and detentions.

Australia and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1972. Australia and Bulgaria share warm people-to-people ties and are like-minded on a range of international issues in multilateral fora. The Bulgarian community in Australia is the largest Bulgarian diaspora in the Indo-Pacific. As of the 2021 Australian census, there were 3,718 people born in Bulgaria in Australia and 8,039 Australian residents of Bulgarian descent.

Australia has maintained a diplomatic presence in Brunei since it gained its full independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. However, our historical links stretch back to the Second World War when, in 1945, Australian forces landed at Muara Beach as part of the Allied campaign to liberate Borneo. Australia and Brunei have erected a permanent memorial at Muara Beach to mark the 1945 landings.