Tongan-Portuguese Relations

The Kingdom of Tonga and the Portuguese Republic established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2008.

His Excellency Mr. António Pedro Rodrigues da Silva presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Tupou VI in May 2021 as the first Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the Kingdom of Tonga. Ambassador Rodriques da Silva is resident in Canberra where he serves concurrently as Portugal’s ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia.

In August 2022 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal approved the Tongan Cabinet’s decision to open an Honorary Consulate General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal. This is Tonga’s first diplomatic presence in Portugal since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

His Majesty King Tupou VI later decreed by Letters Patent the commission of Mr Anthony Bailey as the first Tongan Honorary Consul General to Portugal on 27 May 2021. This nomination was accepted by the Portuguese Government in November 2022.

Tonga values it growing relationship with Portugal. In June and July 2022 the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, the Hon Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, paid an Official Visit to Portugal on the occasion of the United Nation’s Oceans Conference.

The Prime Minister was received in Lisbon by the highest authorities of the Portuguese state, including His Excellency Professor Marcelo Ribeiro de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, and His Excellency The  Prime Minister of Portugal  Dr Antonio Costa.

In July 2022 the Foreign Minister and Minister of Tourism of Tonga, the Honourable Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, paid an Official Visit to Portugal.

The Foreign Minister also attended the UN Conference and held  numerous bilateral meetings including one with her counterpart, His Excellency Dr Joao Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic.