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Madagascar Foreign Relations has enabled this country to develop faster than before. The Franco-Malagasy tie has been an important step on the part of Madagascar. Madagascar became a member of the Franc Zone in June 1960. This came after the signing of an economic and financial cooperation agreement between France and Madagascar. Several agreements ensured France's economic interest in Madagascar.
Thus France began to have a great influence on Madagascar. France also started having control on the military power of Madagascar. France have no limitation to move in the airspaces or in the coastal waters. In return, technical assistance, military aid and training for security forces were provided by France to Madagascar. The cultural influence of France was quite strong as well. The elite of the country were French-speaking and French was the medium of higher education.
Other Madagascar foreign relations with countries like Italy, Britain, Switzerland, West Germany and US were made easy by Madagascar's relation with France. The Tsiranana regime focused on the construction of NASA satellite tracking station outside the capital near the old airport in 1963. In return US ensures investment in Madagascar's economy and also provided fellowship to students. Foreign relations of Madagascar included bonding with a few French colonies of Africa and also some of the Asian countries like India, Japan and Indonesia.
After the downfall of Tsiranana regime a major change occurred in the foreign policy of Madagascar. The Ratsiraka regime claimed Madagascar. Relations with countries like Britain also received a blow as they closed their embassy in Madagascar. NASA was also closed in Madagascar. But trade relations remained unaffected.
Madagascar established line with Soviet Union in 1972. The strengthening of relations with East European counties helped Madagascar to develop a lot. Economic, political, cultural, technical fields were improved due to ties with China, Korea, Cuba etc. Madagascar developed relation with Libya, Moramanga and Toamasina. The country received economic help from World Bank. The World War and other international events left much impact on Madagascar's domestic politics. However the country seemed to move towards multi party democracy. The Madagascar foreign policies have also resulted in the development of the country.
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