WASHINGTON, D.C. (Joint Committee on Compact Review & Planning) — Representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States recently concluded two days of discussion on extending U.S. economic assistance, and other assistance, to the FSM after fiscal year 2023, when much of the U.S. government’s current annual assistance under the Compact of Free Association, as Amended, between the FSM and the United States is set to expire.
The Compact of Free Association is key to the important and ongoing relationship between the FSM and the U.S., and contributes to the peace, security, and prosperity of the greater Indo-Pacific region.
The FSM team, led by Chief Negotiator Leo A. Falcam Jr., included five other members of the FSM’s Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning: Asterio R. Takesy, JCRP chairman; 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. JCRP advisers and staff were also in attendance.
The U.S. team, led by Special Presidential Envoy Ambassador Joseph Yun, included Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor; Ambassador Karen B. Stewart from the State Department; Interior Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Keone Nakoa; and staff from the Departments of State, Defense, and the Interior.
“I am very encouraged during this round of negotiations, and by the progress our governments have made in these negotiations in some key areas of our proposed Compact agreement beyond 2023. We have much more work to do but are engaging constructively, and I am optimistic we will reach an agreement later this year,” said FSM Chief Negotiator Falcam.
Both sides plan to continue technical work and discussions in advance of the next formal round of negotiations which are planned to occur in September 2022.
From left, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior Keone Nakoa, FSM Vice Speaker Esmond B. Moses, FSM Chief Negotiator Leo A. Falcam Jr., FSM Ambassador to the U.S. Akillino H. Susaia, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Ambassador Joseph Yun, U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor, FSM Joint Committee on Compact Review & Planning member Gerson Jackson, FSM JRCP Chairman Asterio Takesy, U.S. Ambassador Karen B. Stewart, and FSM Sen. Aren B. Palik.
