President Mori accepts Letter of Credence for Ambassador of the Russian Federation

In an official ceremony held on Monday October 20, 2014, President Emanuel Mori received and accepted the Letter of Credence for His Excellency Nikolay R. Kudashev, accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Federated States of Micronesia, with residence in Manila, Philippines. Following the presentation, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on President Mori and discussions and exchanges of views were held centering on issues of importance and of common interests to both countries.

Acknowledging a previous meeting in Palau during the margins of the 2014 Forum Leaders meeting, President Mori welcomed the Ambassador to the FSM and thanked him for taking the time to visit to present his credential. The President affirmed to the Ambassador that his accreditation represents an opportunity for both countries to strengthen relations that was formalized in 1999. As a member of the United Nations, the President highlighted the FSM’s long-standing position to accord sentiments of mutual friendship to all members of global community. As inscribed in the Preamble of the FSM Constitution, the President reiterated that the FSM “extend to all nations what we seek from each: peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity”. Russia’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was mentioned for which the President indicated the important role that Russia continues to plays towards the stability, peace and prosperity of the international community. Towards this end, the President expressed his commendation to the Ambassador for Russia’s responsible decision to join the US-led fights against terrorist group ISIS. The President acknowledged the rapid growth of Russia’s economy, and submits possible sector areas of cooperation in the field of energy (i.e. liquefied natural gas), health and education, culture and tourism development.  As a top priority for the FSM, the importance of climate change was affirmed by the President for which he requested Russia’s support of FSM’s proposed amendments for the Montreal Protocol. Other issues that were discussed by the President and the Ambassador were education and training opportunities, to which the Ambassador offered a fellowship program aimed to sponsor a small delegation to visit Russia for a 2-3 weeks familiarization tour. The Ambassador also submitted for consultation, a proposition for the establishment of a Russian honorary consul of representation in the FSM, which President Mori recognized as critical to the new effort to enhance the relations between the two countries, and proposed a need to also explore the establishment of an FSM honorary consul in the Russia Federation.

Present in the ceremony and courtesy call were Secretary Lorin S. Robert of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Secretary April dawn Skilling of the Department of Justice, President’s Chief of Staff Leo A Falcam Jr., and staffs. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse.