US, Marshall Islands agree to renew ties under Compact

U.S. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor, RMI Ambassador. Gerald Zackios, standing left to right. Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations Joseph Yun and RMI Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kitlang Kabua. Photo courtesy of DOI

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The United States and the Marshall Islands today signed a memorandum of understanding on the renewal of the economic provisions of the Compact of Free Association.

The MOU affirmed "our close and continuing partnership" and reflected "our shared understanding reached on levels and types of future U.S. assistance" to the Marshall Islands, states a press release from the U.S. State Department.

The compact's economic provisions for the Marshall Islands are set to expire in September.

Details of the new package were not currently available.

Joseph Yun, special presidential envoy for compact negotiations, and Kitlang Kabua, the Marshjall Islands' foreign affairs minister, signed the MOU.

"The memorandum of understanding was signed as part of the Compact of Free Association negotiations and confirms the shared desire to strengthen the special partnership between our nations," the State Department said.

More details to follow.