FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo Virtually Receives His Excellency Jorge Moragas, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the FSM; “Let us Renew Our Historical Friendship & Ties,” President Panuelo Says
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On October 6th, 2020, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—virtually received His Excellency Jorge Moragas, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, in a Presentation of Credentials ceremony and follow-up courtesy call. The meeting marked the first virtual Presentation of Credentials ceremony in the Nation’s history.
Previously working under three separate Spanish Presidents, followed by service as Spain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Moragas is Spain’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau and, now, also to the FSM.
After the Presentation of Credentials, Ambassador Moragas expressed Spain’s best wishes for the FSM’s prosperity and happiness, noting Spain’s commitment to multilateralism and agreement that Climate Change is the biggest threat that the world is facing. Ambassador Moragas noted that, through the travels of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano et al., the Spanish were the first Europeans many Pacific Islanders encountered, particularly in the North Pacific, and that Spain is interested in reviving the positive aspects of those historical meetings “to remind the world of the need to look after the oceans which has given us so much. The Spanish Government would like to count on your support in this endeavor."
“Buenos Dias, Ambassador,” President Panuelo replied, “…You have our support. Thank you for taking the opportunity to be the first Ambassador to undertake the Presentation of Credentials virtually…. You are right, we cannot lay back in our hammocks but must focus on making progress in important work, such as in Climate Change, multilateralism, and renewing our history.”
President Panuelo voiced the Nation’s sympathies and condolences for the negative impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the People and Government of Spain, and encouraged the Ambassador to build a strong relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs. “Let us renew our historical friendship and ties,” the President said. “I encourage you and our Secretary of Foreign Affairs to continue to engage each other on our bilateral issues and what kind of cooperation we can agree on.”
“The FSM,” the President continued, “has a proud history with Spain. I note that Spain brought Christianity to our islands, and I thank you, the Kingdom of Spain, and the entire European Union, for your strong stance on promoting multilateralism, democracy, the rule of law, and for taking leadership on Climate Change.”
“Please send my best regards to His Majesty, King Felipe VI, and His Excellency Pedro Sanchez, and to all the People of Spain. The People of the FSM stand with Spain as friends, and we look forward to cooperating in many areas, such as Climate Change, gender issues, trade, development, renewable energies and energy independence, ocean management, fisheries management, and combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.”
Upon the conclusion of the meeting, President Panuelo invited Ambassador Moragas to visit the FSM after the COVID-19 Pandemic has passed, noting in particular that the Ambassador is fond of diving and snorkeling, and emphasizing that the FSM has arguably the best diving and snorkeling in the World.
