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President Mori receives credentials from Ambassador Walsh of New Zealand

Palikir, Pohnpei (Dept. of Foreign Affairs): July 25, 2012 - On July 24, 2012, His Excellency Emanuel Mori received the letter of Credence for His Excellency Michael Walsh, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Federated States of Micronesia. Ambassador Walsh is based in Tarawa, Kiribati.

During the presentation of Credentials, President Mori conveyed greetings to the Ambassador and thanked his government for hosting the 42^nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to his delegation. The President also commended the continuing leadership role New Zealand exhibits in advocating regional concerns affecting the welfare of small island states on issues of climate change, sea-level rise, fisheries and security, and environmental degradation. President Mori advised the Ambassador of the Donor Countries Meeting slated to take place in early November 2012 to address financial challenges facing the FSM leading to and beyond 2023 - possible cut-off year for some financial aspects of the Compact. He extended an invitation to NZ to attend the meeting and requested for their continued support given the 2023 scenarios.

In response, Ambassador Walsh expressed his appreciation and honor in presenting his letter of Credence as the Ambassador to the FSM and confirmed that New Zealand attaches special priority to the relationship. The Ambassador further expressed New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully's interest to bring a big delegation from New Zealand to visit Pohnpei sometime this year, a delegation which will be composed of primarily NGO's and private sectors. He also conveyed his personal utmost effort in continuing to strengthen the friendly relation between New Zealand and the FSM.