The new location provides over 600 square meters of office space.
Nancy Wilkie, director of the State Department’s East Asia and Pacific Area Division, said the new embassies in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia cost over $10 million.“These new embassies have achieved departmental standards for security, functionality and fire/life safety,” Wilkie said in her remarks during the ceremony.Alcy Frelick, director of the department’s Office of Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Island Affairs, said the embassy shows how close the relationship of Palau and the U.S. is.President Johnson Toribiong agreed.He said the embassy is a demonstration of the enhanced ties between the two nations.He also noted that the Palau Constitution now allows foreign countries with diplomatic relationship with this island nation to own land here.The president and U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Mark Bezner planted a tree in the new embassy grounds and led the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon.The old embassy was located in Koror.
