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Federated States of Micronesia signs diplomatic relations with Kingdom of Belgium

NEW YORK, October 28, 1996 (FSM Permanent Mission to the UN) - On Monday, 28 October 1996, a Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and of the Kingdom of Belgium was signed at the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations. By the Communiqué, the two Governments decided to establish diplomatic relations at the Ambassadorial level on the basis of principles of mutual respect of their sovereignty, equality and non-interference, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and with reference to the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention of 1961.

The Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations, Ambassador Resio S. Moses, signed on behalf of the FSM Government and His Excellency, Ambassador M. Alex Reyn, Permanent Representative of Belgium signed for the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium. In attendance for the FSM at the signing ceremony, were Mr. Tadao P. Sigrah, FSM Deputy Permanent Representative and Mr. Mathias Maradol, Minister Counsellor. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium, Mr. M. Dirk Wouters and Mr. Peter Vandevelde ,Second Secretary, attended for the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.

During the brief signing ceremony, Ambassador Moses expressed the gratitude of the FSM Government for this historic occasion for our nation to move closer with the Government of Belgium, an important nation within the European Union. Ambassador Moses added that a bond already exists between our two Governments as some prominent citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia made Micronesia their home since the 1800's were originally from the Kingdom of Belgium. Some continue to be citizens of Belgium.

The brief ceremony concluded with expressions of optimisms by the two Permanent Representatives of a closer working relations and mutual cooperation between the two respective governments here at the United Nations.