Palau President Remengesau and the Presidents of RMI and FSM will Meet with U.S. President Donald J. Trump
Press Advisory: May 16, 2019
Palau President Remengesau and the Presidents of RMI and FSM will Meet with U.S. President Donald J. Trump to Reaffirm Their Historic Alliance Amid Rising Tensions in the Western Pacific
President Remengesau and the Presidents of The Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, leaders of the Freely Associated States (FAS), will meet with President Donald J. Trump at the White House on Tuesday, May 21, to reaffirm their commitment to the countries’ historic defense compact and continue talks on its final renewal in 2023-2024.
This is the first time all FAS leaders will be hosted together by a U.S. President and comes at a time of heightened tension in the Western Pacific. The leaders plan to discuss the long history of the FAS compact and the strategic importance of the Pacific islands nations in maintaining freedom of navigation, security, and the rule of law in the region.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of one of World War II’s most consequential engagements, the Battle of Peleliu in Palau. Since 1982, the Compact of Free Association has partnered Palau, FSM, and RMI with the U.S. in one of the Pacific’s oldest and most important defense agreements. Palau and the U.S. also work closely together on combating illegal fishing, human trafficking, and other security concerns. Talks
are underway for its final renewal in 2023-2024.
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