Compact negotiations between US, FSM continues in SF

A U.S. government team led by Ambassador Joseph Yun met in San Francisco this week with a team from the Federated States of Micronesia led by chief negotiator Leo A. Falcam Jr., to continue negotiations on economic assistance, federal programs, and other matters related to the Compact of Free Association and subsidiary agreements between the United States and the FSM.

“The candid and quality discussions that we have shared with the Federated States of Micronesia team assures me that the special and unique ties between our two nations are indeed enduring,” said Yun, who is the special presidential envoy for compact negotiations. “The United States’ priority remains to complete our negotiations that are mutually beneficial and satisfactory, and in as timely a manner as possible.”

Yun

“Our FSM team remains grateful for our continuing collaborative work with our U.S. partners, and I am encouraged by the open and frank nature of our discussions. Although a significant amount of work remains in our deliberations, I am confident that our common interests and goals will enable us to complete an agreement that is mutually beneficial and reflective of our unique and special relationship,” said Falcam.

“Our bilateral discussions, both at the official and technical levels, continue to progress and advance and we remain optimistic and hopeful that we can complete significant portions of the negotiations by this Fall,” said Department of the Interior deputy assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa.

This has been the third bilateral U.S.-FSM meeting under the Biden-Harris administration to discuss the Compact of Free Association and related subsidiary agreements between the United States and the FSM. The Compact of Free Association is key to the important and ongoing relationship between the United States and FSM.

Falcam

The FSM Team, led by Falcam, includes Asterio R. Takesy, chairman of the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning, and JCRP members: vice speaker of the FSM Congress Esmond B. Moses, FSM Sen. Aren B. Palik, FSM Ambassador to the United States Akillino H. Susaia, and Gerson Jackson. FSM Secretary of Finance and Administration Eugene Amor and JCRP advisers and staff were also in attendance.

The United States team, led by Yun, includes U.S. Ambassador to the FSM Carmen G. Cantor, Ambassador Karen B. Stewart, State Department staff, Department of Defense staff, and a team from the Department of the Interior led by Nakoa, exercising the delegated authority of the assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs.

Both sides plan to continue technical work and discussions in advance of the next formal round of negotiations scheduled to begin no later than August 2022, at a location to be determined. (DOI)