President Mori receives credentials for the Ambassador of Italy

In the afternoon of October 16, 2014, President Emanuel Mori received the Letter of Credence for His Excellency Pier Francesco ZAZO officially accrediting him as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to the Federated States of Micronesia, with residence in Canberra, Australia.

The brief ceremony was followed by a courtesy call, allowing opportunity to exchange views on issues of importance and of common interests. After conveying sentiments of welcome to the Ambassador, President Mori thanked him for visiting the FSM and congratulated him for a successful accreditation. He affirmed his desire to see the continuing strengthening of the good relations that exists between the two countries. The President took the opportunity to express his appreciation for financial assistances provided to the FSM on renewable energy, namely the Grid-tied Photovoltaic System implemented at the Chuuk State International Airport.

The President also mentioned the good cooperative relations at the multi-lateral level, namely at the United Nations, and requested the continuing support of Italy in climate change issues that are of priority to small islands states. In particular, the President requested Italy’s support to the FSM’s proposed amendments to the Montreal Protocol, which is a top priority for the FSM. Being a member of the European Union (EU), the President affirmed his appreciation for continuing assistance provided by the European Union through the European Development Fund (EDF 10) targeting the sector on renewable energy, and confirmed FSM’s recent signing of the EDF 11, held during the margins of the SIDS Conference in Samoa. He ended by affirming that the FSM stands ready to implement projects under EDF 11.

Ambassador Zazo responded with sentiments of support of small islands developing states in international debates, acknowledging President Mori’s request for support the Montreal Protocol amendments. The Ambassador also highlighted the upcoming EXPO Milan in 2015 and encouraged participation by the FSM. He brought to President Mori’s attention Italy’s interest for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for term 2017-2018, and requested FSM support. This will compliment Italy’s emerging role in the region as a member of the Forum Post-Forum Dialogue and greater prospects for future presence in the region.

Also present in the ceremony and courtesy call were Secretary Lorin S. Robert of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Francis Itimai of the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs Deputy Secretary Samson Pretrick, President’s Chief of Staff Leo A Falcam Jr., and staffs. 

His Excellency KIM Seong-in accredited as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Federated States of Micronesia

October 14, 2014, His Excellency KIM Seong-in presented his letter of credence to President Emanuel Mori, accrediting him as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the FSM based in Suva, Fiji.

In welcoming the Ambassador, President Mori congratulated him on his new appointment and expressed his appreciation towards the Korean Government for the provided assistance in areas of human resource development under Korea International Cooperation Agency. He also expressed his appreciation on the technical cooperation extended to the FSM and wished to maximize it in the coming years. President Mori also expressed his regrets that they may have crossed path in Samoa during the Small Island Development States (PSIDS) but did not have sufficient time to exchange views.

The Ambassador thanked the President for the warm welcome and conveyed his agreement in continuing to work together and further strengthening its diplomatic relations with the FSM.

The President and Ambassador exchanged views on an array of regional and international issues such as climate change, fisheries, tourism and water and food security among others.

Ambassador KIM Seong-in is succeeding his predecessor Mr. Hae-wook Cheong who was accredited to the FSM in June 2012.  Among his delegation, Ambassador KIM Seong-in was also accompanied by Counsellor Ms. HAN Woo-Jung and Administrative Officer Mr. LEE Sang-dong.

The Ground-Breaking Ceremony of the Okat Bridge in Kosrae

On October 7, 2014, Kosrae State: The Honorable Alik L. Alik, Vice-President of the Federated States of Micronesia, represented the FSM National Government to the Ground-Breaking Ceremony of the Okat Bridge Project in Kosrae.

In his remark, Vice-President Alik was first conveyed the FSM’s heartfelt congratulations on the 65^th Anniversary of the founding in 1949 of the People’s Republic of China.  He states that as 65^th years of age, China of today is a vibrant nation that reflects its early promises with many achievements that contributed to significant strides in the economic and social well-being of its people.

He stated that the joint observance of this anniversary is an indicative of the importance our two countries attach to the special event and the strong friendship existing between the FSM and China. The Vice-President also highlighted in his remark, the genesis of the establishment of diplomatic relations through a signing of the joint communiqué between the FSM and China twenty-five years ago and which it remains strong and cooperative.  The Vice-President also generally shared a gamut of project assistance in the areas of human resource development, infrastructure facilities, transportation, agriculture and etc that has been provided to the FSM by the Chinese Government.  He indicated that the gathering was not only to officially open the construction of the Okat Bridge, but to also witness another project being funded by the government of the People’s Republic of China, which he believed that the Okat Bridge is extremely critical to the development, prosperity and sustained well-being of the people of Kosrae.

He also congratulated the contractor, Sichuan Road and Bridge Group Cooperation Company and commends that he looks forward to see the completion of the Okat Project, which he attested the contractor that the project is highly anticipated by the people of Kosrae.  Vice-President Alik concluded his remark by thanking Governor Jackson and Ambassador Zhang for their respective efforts in making sure that the project is materialized.

Ambassador Zhang, in his remark, stated that the Okat Bridge Project is by far the biggest single Chinese aid project in the FSM.  He indicated that it is a bridge of happiness, as it’s the only bridge that connects the airport, dock area and Kosrae main islands.  Ambassador Zhang stated that the Okat Bridge plays an important role in Kosrean’s people daily life and its economic development.

The Ceremony was attended by various representatives from the national, state, municipal governments, church and local community. 

Approved and Accepted Grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Service Centers

September 26, 2014 Resolution No. 18-197	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $42,000 from the United States of Dept. of Health & Human Service Centers for disease control and prevention, to fund the FSM Immunization and vaccines for children program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance
September 26, 2014 Resolution No. 18-198	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $82,878 from the United States Dept. of Health and Human Service Centers for disease control and prevention, to fund the epidemiology and laboratory capacity program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
September 26, 2014 Resolution No. 18-199	Approving and Accepting of a grant in the amount of $22,716 from the United States Dept. of Health and Human Service Centers for disease control and prevention, to fund the epidemiology and laboratory capacity program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
September 26, 2014 Resolution No. 18-200	Approving and Accepting of a grant in the amount of $644,741 from the United States Dept. of Health and Human Service Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services to fund the implementation of the FSM Substance abuse and mental health services administration program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
September 26, 2014 Resolution No. 18-201	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $40,694 from the United States Dept. of health and human services, health resources and services administration, to fund HIV related programs within the FSM, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
October 3, 2014 Resolution No. 18-193	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $501,420 from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health services agency, to fund the FSM Dept. of Health and Social Affairs launch project, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
October 3, 2014 Resolution No. 18-202	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the United States Dept. of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health surveillance program office, to fund the implementation of the behavioral conditions of the assistance.
October 3, 2014 Resolution No.  18-206	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $99, 145 from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund the FSM Preventive Health and Health Services project, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
October 3, 2014 Resolution No. 18-205	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $376,250 from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to fund the FSM Oral Health workforce activities, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
October 6, 2014 Resolution No. 18-212	Approving and Accepting a grant in the amount of $39,300 from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, health resources and services administration, to fund the FSM Emergency medical services children program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.