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The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Iceland establish formal diplomatic relations

New York (FSM Permanent Mission to the UN): September 28, 2004 - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iceland, the Hon. Sebastian Anefal, and the Hon. Geir H. Haarde, signed a joint declaration on 27 September 2004, in New York sealing the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Federated States of Micronesia and Iceland.

In the margins of the 59^th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Secretary Anefal and Minister Haarde held bilateral talks and signed a joint communiqué confirming their two government's decision to establish diplomatic relations.

The communiqué says Micronesia and Iceland established relations "with the purpose to promote mutual understanding and to strengthen the friendship and cooperation among their two peoples."

Secretary Anefal, who is heading the delegation of Micronesian to the 59th session of the UNGA, is in New York to address the world body on Wednesday, 29 September 2004. Accompanying the Secretary to the signing event were the Permanent Representative of Micronesia to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Masao Nakayama, Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Jackson Soram and FSM Permanent Mission staffer Martin Zvachula.