Federated States of Micronesia President, David Panuelo, has concluded in-depth discussions with U.S Special Presidential envoy for Compact negotiations, Joseph Yun and Jake Sullivan, the U.S National Security advisor.
During the talks, President Panuelo informed the two U.S high level officials that the FSM has requested an economic assistance package submitted by FSM’s Compact Chief Negotiator Leo Falcam Jr at the Joint Committee on Compact Review & Planning on April 21, 2022.
The economic assistance package, developed over several years, addresses key issues and concerns and, if accepted, would result in transformational improvements in the lives and livelihoods for all Micronesians.
“Our citizens have significant, profound, and very real concerns about the U.S providing a substantial assistance package over the next 20 years,” President Panuelo said in a statement.
President Panuelo “sincerely believes” the economic assistance package will address short, medium, and long-term needs of his nation.
He acknowledged the strike of Yap State hospital workers and its impact on public health, livelihoods, and morale, saying: “The infrastructure and other needs of our country can be better met with a streamlined provision of assistance. The Education, Health, and Infrastructure Sectors are of paramount importance to our Nation’s development, and the package in its presented form will be of great help.”
The proposed package also includes an additional pillar on the Environmental Sector, in light of its significant and existential security risk to the Federated States of Micronesia, that would “play a key role in our nation’s adaptation and mitigation efforts” and “is ultimately going to make the difference on whether or not islands like Kapingamarangi Atoll and the Mortlocks literally exist fifty years from today.”