PALIKIR, Pohnpei – On Sunday, July 21, 2024, Vice President Palik hosted a working dinner for Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Lisa Marie Franchetti. Commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1985, Admiral Franchetti has achieved historic milestones, becoming the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and the first woman to serve on the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During the dinner, Vice President Palik and Admiral Franchetti discussed a variety of topics, including the KOA MOANA and Pacific Partnership 2024 initiatives, as well as the contributions of FSM citizens serving in the United States military. Admiral Franchetti expressed her appreciation to Vice President Palik for hosting her on the weekend and reiterated the importance of the Compact of Free Association (COFA) in ensuring regional security through the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy.

Vice President Palik congratulated Admiral Franchetti on her historic achievements and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for the Department of Defense’s role in supporting the renewal of COFA, now known as Compact III. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the enduring FSM-US partnership, and commemorative gifts were exchanged to mark this historic visit.

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