FSM Information Services
Press Release
People & Government of Norway: The Federated States of Micronesia Wishes to be Your Friend & Ally
NADI, Fiji—After His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—heard the Honorable Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Norway, speak at the Post-Forum Dialogue towards the end of the 50th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, he was determined to strengthen FSM-Norwegian relations, which were formally established on April 12th, 2018.
“For such a small country, they’re really doing a lot to help others, and despite our distance we have a lot of common challenges,” the President told the FSM delegation in an August 18th meeting, advising them to help build stronger ties between the FSM and Norway.
“Norway is showing that they are a leader in fighting climate change, so we need them to be our ally,” President Panuelo said, noting that the FSM must seek and build alliances with countries that emphasize respect for human life and recognize the dangers of climate change.
So what did Minister Soreide say, and what has Norway done, to so profoundly persuade the President to not only strengthen formal diplomatic relations, but to generate a powerful climate change and fisheries management-based alliance with the Scandinavian nation?
“Pacific Islanders are known around the world for their hospitality, and I have had the privilege of experiencing it,” Minister Soreide said in the Post-Forum Dialogue. “Despite the geographical distance…we share many interests, challenges, and opportunities that we should pursue, meet, and realize together. …Two [areas] for partnership are [handling] climate change and the oceans…[which are] core to Norway’s domestic and foreign policy.”
“Just as our ancestors, the Vikings, set sail in their long ships to journey across the cold waters of the Atlantic…Pacific Islanders sailed in the biggest ocean in the world. Most people in the Pacific, as in Norway, reside close to the sea; we live by, and of, the oceans,” Minister Soreide continued, later noting that Norway is hosting the 6th Our Oceans Conference later this year.
“We are fighting [illegal, unregulated, and unreported] fishing…together with Palau and Kiribati. …[and] Norway has launched a two hundred million [U.S. Dollar] program…combating marine litter and micro plastics,” Minister Soreide said. “There are many examples to give, and many of them are providing support for the Small Island Developing States [such as the SAMOA Pathway]. …We are a relatively small nation, 5.2 million people, but we are one of the [United Nation’s] largest contributors. We may be small countries…but we can still contribute.”
“Let me just close with the words of the [PIF] Secretary General [the Honorable Dame Meg Taylor]…we must stop Tuvalu from sinking…we must stop the world from sinking. Our cooperation is for the long haul,” Minister Soreide said. “And I am not only here to see, but to speak, and listen, and learn.”
President Panuelo, like many in the room, was moved by the sincerity of Minister Soreide’s remarks, as demonstrated by the roar of claps from leaders and officials alike.
While proper diplomatic protocol will follow this release, the President wanted the world to know that the FSM National Government recognizes the leadership of Norway, advocates for other countries—including close and traditional allies like Australia, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the United States—to follow their example where possible, and formally seeks, on behalf of the people of the FSM, to forge a long-lasting friendship with the people and Government of Norway based on mutual respect and cooperation towards solving mutual challenges in fisheries management and climate change.