ASAN, Guam (Oct. 25, 2022) – Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Official for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), along with a U.S. staff delegation and senior leaders from FSM met on Guam, Oct. 11-14, for the annual FSM Joint Committee Meeting (JCM). The JCM is normally held twice annually in accordance with the Title III of Compact of Free Association (COFA), and facilitates productive dialogue surrounding mutual security and defense responsibilities relevant to sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
This FSM JCM is the first held in two years due to the global pandemic.
“Today we begin to regain some momentum on past efforts and look forward to new defense initiatives. We have serious regional defense challenges, but they remain within our collective ability to overcome,” said Nicholson during opening remarks. “The JCMs are an important avenue for us to have open and honest dialogue on topics of mutual interest to the FSM and Department of Defense (DoD); to demonstrate our close relationship, and continue to build upon it into the future.”
“Much has happened in the last three years and since our last Joint Committee Meeting in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Vice President Palik in his opening remarks. “JCM provides the opportunity for the U.S. and FSM governments to discuss, plan and operationalize some of our key programs and initiatives, as provided under Title III of the Amended Compact, to strengthening our strategic partnership and defense cooperation.”
This year’s discussion was guided by four lines of effort including defense responsibilities; law enforcement capacity building with a range of capable partners; securing the Blue Continent’s maritime resources and sovereign borders; and preparing to respond to hazards unique to Pacific Island communities.
“We kicked off the week with clear objectives: to chart the course of our partnership over the
next few years, and determine how our armed forces can better serve our Pacific island
communities. We’ve talked at length about construction projects to improve civil and military
infrastructure for the Federated States of Micronesia. From elementary schools to port and harbor
repairs, we are invested in building your communities and securing the defense of the FSM and
protecting her people,” Nicholson said.
The three-day conference culminated in a historic signing of an expanded ship-rider agreement
between U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam (USCGFMSG) and the FSM
Government allowing remote coordination of authorities. The agreement will enable the U.S. to
act on behalf of the FSM to combat illicit maritime activity and to strengthen international
security operations.
“This capability is a true and symbolic realization of the integration of our homelands as one, as
established by the Compact of Free Association, and will strengthen not only the maritime
security of both our nations, but the bonds of partnership we share,” Nicholson said.
Additionally, the team took action on creating a Defense Sites Working Group which will report
to the larger JCM committee membership, and whose purpose will be to identify the appropriate
processes for establishing defense sites in the FSM for increased defense of rules based
international maritime law in the region.
In his closing remarks, Senator Robson Romolow, Chairman, Judiciary and Governmental
Operations of the 22nd FSM Congress, conveyed his appreciation to Nicholson and the U.S.
delegation for the invitation extended to the FSM Congress to participate in the Mid-Year JCM
2022, which further enhances the special ties between the FSM and United States.
Rear Adm. Nicholson reiterated his appreciation for the FSM delegation, the robust dialogue,
and the broad technical expertise and leadership experience that was brought to the table.
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| Date Taken: |
10.25.2022 |
| Date Posted: |
11.06.2022 19:03 |
| Story ID: |
432175 |
| Location: |
ASAN, GU |
| Web Views: |
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