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FSM honors Israel and Philippine consuls

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): October 8, 2003 - On October 3 2003, two more countries added their residency to the diplomatic mission currently based in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Through a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the FSM Government endorsed the Honorary Consul appointments of Reed Bermin Oliver as representative of the State of Israel along with Alicia Lorna Enriquez Ada as representative of the Republic of the Philippines.

Secretary Sebastian Anefal, the Head of the Department, presented Ada and Oliver with Exequaturs to officially recognize their authority to conduct "the duties and responsibilities of the position in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations."

The two countries were among the early countries to recognize FSM's transition to self-government. In 1988, the State of Israel established diplomatic ties with the FSM and the following year, 1989, the Republic of the Philippines established its diplomatic relations.

Secretary Anefal said the newest additions to the Diplomatic Corps in FSM are testaments to the "continued long and friendly relations that exist between the [FSM] and the State of Israel and the Republic of the Philippines."

According to Secretary Anefal, their appointments evidence the experience, knowledge and their status in their respective communities. The efforts and achievements of each one, said the Secretary, enables each of them to "carry out the duties and responsibilities expected of you as Honorary Consuls for the benefits of FSM , as well as for the countries that you represent."

He urged further strengthening of the relationships between the countries, "I hope that you will not only promote needs of the countries you represent, but our efforts as well in strengthening the friendly relations and close cooperation in existence between the FSM and your respective countries."

Both Honorary Consuls are FSM residents and while Ada is of Filipino descent and citizenship, Oliver is an FSM citizen from the State of Pohnpei.