PALIKIR, POHNPEI – In a ceremony here at the President’s Conference Room, Federated States of Micronesia Chief Negotiator Leo A. Falcam, Jr. and U.S. Special Envoy for Compact Negotiations Joseph Yun initialed documents signifying mutual agreement on amendments to the Compact of Free Association and the Compact Trust Fund Agreement.

With today’s action, the sides have reached agreement in principle on three of the four main documents requiring amendment. The move will pave the way for signature of the agreements next week in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where the signing is expected to be witnessed by newly elected FSM President Wesley W. Simina and U.S. President Joe Biden. The agreements are subject to approval by the national legislatures of each government.

Chief Negotiator Falcam hailed the move as “an important step in the special relationship between the two nations for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The sides continue to work toward reaching agreement on the fourth major agreement related to the Compact, on continued U.S. federal programs and services for the FSM.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. delegation led by Ambassador Yun met separately with President Simina and newly elected Speaker of the FSM Congress Esmond B. Moses.

President Biden’s trip to Papua New Guinea will mark the first visit to a Pacific Island nation by a sitting U.S. President.