Today President Biden transmitted to the U.S. Congress five agreements related to the Compacts of Free Association, signed by the Department of State, with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The Biden Administration is working closely with the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to allow for the implementation of these five agreements, which will fulfill our commitments and strengthen our enduring relationships with our Compact of Free Association partner nations. These five agreements are:
- The Agreement Concerning Procedures for the Implementation of United States Economic Assistance provided in the 2023 Amended Compact Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia;
- The 2023 Federal Programs and Services Agreement Between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia with Annexes;
- The Agreement Concerning Procedures for the Implementation of United States Economic Assistance Provided in the 2023 Amended Compact Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
- The Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Regarding the Compact Trust Fund; and
- The Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to Amend the Compact of Free Association, as Amended.
The Biden Administration appreciates the bipartisan work in Congress to advance legislation necessary to bring these agreements into force. The Administration calls on Congress to pass Compacts-related legislation as soon as possible.
The Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau demonstrate our long-term commitment to these three nations, fostering economic prosperity and stability that form the foundation of our strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Under the Compacts, the United States provides for defense of and has the authority to deny third party military access to these countries.
These Compact-related agreements include economic assistance to support essential government services such as health, education, and infrastructure, and U.S. contributions to Compact Trust Funds, which will support the countries' self-sufficiency in the future. Extending such assistance, including Federal programs and services, is a critical component of the Biden-Harris' Administration's Indo-Pacific, Pacific Partnership, and National Security Strategies.
