FSM-US Maritime Boundary Delimitation Treaty and amended FSM-Nauru Civil Air Transport Agreement await Congressional action

FSMIS (May 19, 2015): On May 18, 2015, Federated States of Micronesia President Peter M. Christian submits a Maritime Boundary Delimitation Treaty between the FSM and the United States to Congress for ratification.

Representatives of the FSM and United States Governments signed the Treaty on August 1, 2014 at the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum in Koror, Palau.

In a letter to Speaker Wesley W. Simina, President Christian stresses that the Treaty “establishes the maritime boundary delimitation between the FSM and Guam based upon the prevailing principle of equidistance, which is accepted under international law”.

“The Treaty is the conclusion of our Nation’s continued efforts of finalizing the maritime zones where the national jurisdiction overlaps with the United States.”

On the same day, the President also made available with Congress the Amendment to the Civil Air Transport Agreement between the FSM and Nauru, which was signed on May 20^th.

“This amendment allows for greater access of air transport services to the Federated States of Micronesia by designating all the four States as points of stop, whereas only one State in the FSM was designated in the past”, the President clarifies in another letter to the Speaker.

The President goes on to say that “An inaugural flight has been planned under this arrangement and is waiting for the ratification by Congress as requested in the submission”.

Under the FSM Constitution, the Congress has the authority to ratify treaties.  

For further information, email fsmpio@mail.fm.