Washington D.C., May 23, 2019 –Ten days into office, on Tuesday, May 21st, 2019, His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, met with His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, in the Oval Office at the White House. Following brief one-on-one meetings with President Trump, President Panuelo, His Excellency Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, and Her Excellency Dr. Hilda C. Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, joined the U.S. President in a joint expanded bilateral engagement in the White House Cabinet Room.
In the Cabinet Room, President Trump was joined by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, and was staffed by key senior advisors including the National Security Advisor John Bolton, Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, and Ambassador Robert A. Riley III who is the U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, among others.
The meeting with President Trump was the highlight of a busy schedule for the three Presidents which started in the morning at the Pentagon with the Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan, followed by a luncheon meeting at the Department of State with Secretary Pompeo.
President Panuelo also met earlier with the Department of Interior Secretary Bernhardt, and will also be meeting with the Honorable Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
After the meeting, the four Presidents issued the following statement:
Joint Statement from the President of the United States and the Presidents of the Freely Associated States
The United States of America, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, as Pacific nations, jointly reaffirm our interest in a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. We recognize our unique, historic, and special relationships, and reaffirm our countries’ commitments to the Compacts of Free Association, resolving to continue our close cooperation in support of prosperity, security, and the rule of law.
Our nations believe in an economic development model that supports inclusive economic growth and an environment in which the autonomy of all nations is respected. It is in our mutual interest that the Pacific Ocean remains an important and vibrant corridor for maritime trade, and that we work together to reduce vulnerabilities to economic fluctuation and natural disasters. We seek to continue encouraging private-sector investment and trade between our countries and to strengthen the bonds between our peoples.
We remember the sacrifices of our sons and daughters to guarantee a more secure world where freedom can thrive. Today, many citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia serve in the United States military. Their service is a proud reminder of our countries’ enduring commitment to our shared security in a dynamic and critical region.
We resolve to continue developing joint initiatives, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, to tackle the region’s most pressing issues, including responding to natural disasters; combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; advancing economic development; strengthening the rule of law; and supporting the resiliency of the Pacific islands environment. We recognize these shared priorities and are committed to collaborate on effective solutions responding to the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.
We are confident our relationships will further our abiding mutual interest and remain a source of regional security, stability, and prosperity.
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For more information on this event please contact the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia in Washington D.C., at (202)223-4383 or visit the website at http://www.fsmembassydc.org/