President Mori holds bilateral meeting with Russian Federation envoy at the Pacific Islands Forum, Palau

from left: Secretary Lorin Robert, Ambassador Nikolay R. Kudashev, Secretary April Dawn Skilling, President Manny Mori, and Mr. Igor Khovaev

FSMIS (July 31, 2014): On Monday, July 28, Federated State of Micronesia President Manny Mori held a meeting with representatives of the Russian Federation at the Palau Pacific Resort in Koror, Palau.

The meeting was President Mori's first official encounter with Russia, facilitated by the occasion of the 45th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) being held in Palau. The Russian officials have taken the opportunity to engage with Pacific countries as an invited country in the Post-Forum Dialogue between PIF Member States and their respective country and agency development partners, which will be held on Friday, August 1st.

Representing the Russian Federation were Ambassador Nikolay R. Kudashev and Mr. Igor Khovaev, who said they were grateful for the opportunity to meet with President Mori.

Ambassador Kudashev stated that based on new opportunities and global conditions, Russia is enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations with Pacific countries, including the FSM.

He also pointed out that Russia's interest in deepening ties with the FSM will take on genuine and mutual cooperation without creating obstacles or undermining FSM's relations with other countries.

Accompanied by his Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lorin Robert, Secretary of Justice, Mrs. April Dawn Skilling, and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Leo Falcam Jr., President Mori discussed some interests in the areas of climate change support, tourism, renewable energy, health, sport development, and others.

The Russian officials stressed that people to people exchange, through tourism and other program, would be the most beneficial way in enhancing understanding between the two countries. They also spoke about Russia's experience of the visa-free program that facilitates tourism in other parts of the Pacific.

Ambassador Kudashev also highlighted climate change as a priority agenda for his country, noting FSM's active role in climate change discussions in the global arena.

Ambassador Kudashev invited the FSM to take advantage of the Russian Federation's diplomatic trainings in Moscow, which include the study of Russia's foreign policy in a changing world.

Kudashev is the Ambassador-designate to the FSM. At this meetings, the schedule for his presentation of credentials in Palikir during the October-November timeframe was also explored.

The meeting allowed the FSM and Russia the opportunity to reaffirm diplomatic relations established in 1999.