NZ diplomat presents credentials to FSM

PALIKIR, Pohnpei, FSM (Pacific Islands Report) — Ambassador Neil Murray Robertson, on January 12, 2001, presented his credentials as New Zealand’s non-resident Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia to President Leo A. Falcam.

New Zealand established diplomatic relations with FSM in 1988. Robertson is the fifth Ambassador accredited to the FSM. Based in Kiribati, Ambassador Robertson replaces the former non-resident Ambassador, Bernard John Mills.

President Falcam, during a brief ceremony in the Cabinet Meeting Room, accepted Ambassador Robertson’s credentials and welcomed him and wife Barbara to the FSM. He assured the Ambassador of FSM’s desire to reaffirm and build on the existing foundation of friendship and good working relations between New Zealand and FSM.

The President attributes the accreditation as signifying “another important milestone and accomplishment” in the enduring relations between the two island nations.

President Falcam based the close and cordial relationship on shared values and interest.

He said, “A range of cooperative multilateral and bilateral undertaking attest to the strength of our relations. Most notable on the bilateral level are the human resource development and fisheries resource surveillance (projects).

“We have also seen a resurgence of issues consequent to increasing globalization, sea-level rise, environment and sustainable human development to name a few…While these constitute extreme challenges for small island states like the FSM, they also present a multitude of opportunities.”

President Falcam applauded New Zealand’s active role in advancing the Pacific region’s concerns on the stated issues and assured the Ambassador of FSM’s continued support and commitment in advancing the same causes.

Ambassador Robertson referred to the close cooperation between the two island nations on the regional scene as a matter of “considerable satisfaction.”

He further said the two shared a range of mutual interests and concerns over environmental issues, regional and international issues, and expressed the assurance “from the Government and People of New Zealand of continuing goodwill and support for the people of the Federated States of Micronesia.”