Foreign relations of Burkina Faso has good relations with the European Union

Foreign relations of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has good relations with the European Union^[1], African^[2] and certain Asian countries. France, the former colonial power, in particular, continues to provide significant aid and supports Compaoré's developing role as a regional powerbroker.

According to the U.S. State Department, "U.S. relations with Burkina Faso are good but subject to strains in the past because of the Compaoré government's past involvement in arms trading and other sanctions-breaking activity."^[3] Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in May 2018 and the foreign ministry of China stated it approved of its decision.^[4][5]

Burkina Faso's relations with its West African neighbors have improved in recent years.^[6] Relations with Ghana, in particular, have warmed.^[7] President Compaoré has mediated a political crisis in Togo and helped to resolve the Tuareg conflict in Niger.^{[citation needed]}Burkina maintains cordial relations with Libya.^{[citation needed]} A territorial dispute with Mali was mediated by Ghana and Nigeria, which has led to lessening of tensions between the two nations.^{[citation needed]}

Nineteen provinces of Burkina Faso are joined with contiguous areas of Mali and Niger under the Liptako-Gourma Authority, a regional economic organization.^{[citation needed]}

Burkina Faso is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a bilateral immunity agreement of protection for the United States-military (as covered under Article 98).^{[citation needed]}

Burkina Faso is a low-income, landlocked Sub-Saharan country with limited natural resources. Its population, which is growing at an average annual rate of 3.1%, was estimated at almost 18.6 million inhabitants in 2016. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with close to 80% of the active population employed in the sector. Cotton is the country’s most important cash crop, while gold exports have gained importance in recent years.