On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Palau and extend my best wishes on your 29th Independence Day.
Our nations are close friends and partners. We share a commitment to a free, open, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Last week, with our Pacific neighbors, we demonstrated our solidarity and friendship at the U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Summit at the White House. Just a few months ago, we reaffirmed our partnership and expressed our clear intentions to improve Palau's economic resilience by signing the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Review Agreement. We thank Palau for its leadership regarding environmental protection of Pacific islands.
We are grateful for the contributions of Palauan citizens who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and we thank Palauan veterans for their service. We also thank Palau for hosting U.S. military exercises, which further demonstrates our shared commitment to peace and security.
The friendship between our nations and the bonds between our people tie the United States and Palau together, and we look forward to a future of peace and prosperity.
