Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – September 15, 2025 – On the sidelines of Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence celebrations, His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), met with the Honorable Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America. The meeting, which was also attended by Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), and senior U.S. officials, reaffirm the strong and enduring partnership between the FSM and the United States under the Compact of Free Association.
President Simina expressed appreciation to Deputy Secretary Landau for his high-level visit to the Pacific region following the important outcomes from the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.
To that end, the President conveyed his gratitude for the United States’ role in expediting the $60 million payment under the Pacific Islands Tuna Treaty for 2024. He stressed the unique importance of the Treaty, which reflects the special partnership between the Pacific and the United States to support fisheries, a sector critical to the livelihoods of the FSM’s people and the wider region.
Turning to issues affecting COFA citizens in the United States, President Simina raised concerns regarding the recent halt by the Department of Veterans Affairs on discussions with the Freely Associated States regarding veterans’ health benefits, and thanked Deputy Secretary Landau for his support in ensuring that these important talks continue.
He also expressed concern about a recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memorandum that inaccurately described FSM citizens in the U.S. as “lawful and temporary” rather than “lawful and permanent.” The President emphasized that this misclassification runs counter to the spirit of friendship enshrined in the Compact, and he welcomed the continued support of the Deputy Secretary and his staff in resolving this matter.
President Simina also noted the importance of sustaining reliable postal service arrangements between the FSM and the United States, which were carefully negotiated under the Amended Compact, and called for mutually beneficial solutions to ensure this essential link remains strong. He further reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the effective implementation of the Compact, welcoming the constructive spirit demonstrated during the recent Joint Economic Management Committee meeting that concluded in Honolulu.
In response, Deputy Secretary Landau and Admiral Paparo both expressed strong support for addressing these concerns. Admiral Paparo described the COFA states as “Covenant States” built on a “sacred trust,” noting this bond is reflected in the high enlistment of FSM citizens in the U.S. military and pledged to continue advocating for FSM veterans to receive their benefits. Deputy Secretary Landau likewise affirmed his commitment to keeping open lines of communication with FSM leaders to ensure these issues are resolved through continued dialogue and cooperation.
President Simina welcomed growing U.S. interest in private sector investment across the Pacific and pointed to opportunities for deeper cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and telecommunications, citing the FSM’s ongoing collaboration with U.S. companies such as Google as examples of the strong potential for innovation and partnership.
The President reaffirmed that the United States remains a valued and trusted partner for the Federated States of Micronesia, expressing his government’s appreciation for the enduring friendship and cooperation that continue to define FSM-U.S. relations, grounded in shared history and mutual commitment to the prosperity and security of the Pacific region.
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