A new page in the diplomatic history of the relations between
the Federated States of Micronesia and the State of Israel was turned on 03
February 2014 at noon (Jerusalem Time) when Mr. Asterio R Takesy, resident in
Washington DC as FSM Ambassador to the US, presented his letter of credence to
Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem to formalize his
cross-accreditation as FSM Ambassador to Israel. Concurrently Ambassador Takesy presented the
letter of recall of his immediate predecessor, Ambassador Yosiwo P George, who
has been elected to FSM Congress to represent the State of Kosrae.
Paying respect to
President Peres as Israel’s head of state, Takesy prefaced the standard
diplomatic statement of presenting credentials with a Micronesian traditional
phrase of paying tribute normally accorded to high-level leaders: “Tirow wom
Fau-pung Hamwol.” (In the Chuukese
language, the phrase symbolizes a leader as a Rock situated on a barrier reef
that remains standing calm and steadfast in upholding the
best interest of the people in the midst of pounding waves).
The State of Israel is the first country in the Middle East
region that extended diplomatic recognition to the then newly emerging
Federated States of Micronesia. Israel is one of the first foreign countries to
establish full diplomatic relations with the FSM at a time when the newly born
nation was embarking on the difficult task of establishing itself in the
international community.
During the Presentation of Credentials ceremony at the Israel
official Presidential Residence, President Peres welcomed Ambassador Takesy to
Israel and bid him to “feel like a friend amongst friends,” adding that Israel
is grateful for FSM’s consistent support at the UN, “a small land, but a great
friend.” He went on to say, “You stood day after day and year after year on our
side and we are grateful for your position.” Noting that the two countries are “oceans apart”
in terms of geographical distances, President Peres remarked that the people of
Israel are nonetheless grateful for the friendship extended by the people of Micronesia. He stated that Israel would like to
reciprocate in anyway it can, drawing on national capability as well as
scientific and technological discoveries to improve the lives of the people of
the FSM, notably through the areas of agriculture, and aquaculture. In fact, these along with others have been
identified as possible areas of cooperation between the two countries, with the
desirability being expressed on both sides for the formulation of a Blueprint
for Cooperation.
For his part, after expressing his gratitude to President
Peres for accepting his credentials, Ambassador Takesy conveyed President
Mori’s warm greetings and best wishes to President Peres for his continued good
health and prosperity of the people of Israel.
He also expressed President Mori’s commitment to the support of Israel
and his desire for visiting Israel again, to further strengthen the relations
between the peoples and governments of the two countries. Ambassador Takesy added, “our friendship with Israel is no accident of
history – its source is to be found, in part, in our shared belief in the
Judeo-Christian values and in part in the preamble of our FSM Constitution,
which states in relevant part – ‘The seas bring us together, they do not
separate us… We extend to all nations what we seek from each: peace, friendship,
cooperation, and love in our common humanity.’”
Recalling the pleasure of being honored by the visit of President
Mori in 2010, President Peres extended a welcome to President Mori to visit Israel
again to augment the shared vision of friendly relations between the FSM and
Israel. Officials of the two governments
have commenced exploring possible dates for the visit.
Apart from the Presentation of Credentials ceremony,
Ambassador Takesy, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission James A Naich
as his staff-advisor, undertook visits to agricultural sites as well as
meetings with officials of the Foreign Ministry, such as the Deputy Foreign
Minister, non-resident ambassador to FSM Ambassador Michael Ronnen, Director of
the Pacific Affairs Department, and Director of the Policy Planning Division of
the Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV). He took time to meet with members of the
Israel Knesset (Parliament), including Vice Speaker M.K. Ruther Calderone, K.M.
Isaac Herzog, Leader of the Opposition (whose father was the only Israeli Prime
Minister who visited the Pacific region), and M.K. Shimon Ohayon, Chairman of
the Israel-FSM Parliamentary Friendship League, including FSM supporters in the
Israel community at large. Before leaving
Israel, Ambassador Takesy also underwent a program of cultural orientation
organized by the Office of Protocol to acquaint him to the rich history and
culture of Israel and its people.
For inquiry, call the Department at 320-2641 or email fsmpio@mail.fm.
No comments:
Post a Comment