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New Ambassador of Australia to the FSM Formally Received

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): November 7, 2007 - On November 6, 2007, Australian Ambassador Susan Cox, officially presented to President Manny Mori, her credentials as the Australian representative to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Madam Ambassador Susan Cox is accredited with a whole lot of invaluable background information:

She is a career officer with the department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Ambassador of Australia to the FSM, Palau and RMI.

Prior to this appointment, Ms Cox has served as Deputy High Commissioner in Port Vila from 1998 to 2001. And she was Vice-Consul in Noumea from 1990 to 1993. She has also served in Cairo.

In California, Ms Cox has held a range of positions including Executive Officer and later Director, Consular Policy and Crises Management Section from 2003 to 2006.

She was Executive Officer in the Multilateral South Pacific and Resources Section from 1995 to 1998, and the Bilateral Pacific and Political Section from 1993 to 1995.

Ms Cox was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for her role in the management of the response to the Bali bombings in October 2002.

Ms Cox holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Canberra and was awarded a University medal in 1997. She Speaks French and Bislama.

In the ceremony, both President Mori and Madam Ambassador Cox reiterate on enhancing the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally. This relationship was established in 1987.

At the bilateral level the areas of partnership include; maritime surveillance and law enforcement, human resources development through valuable education opportunities provided to the FSM, and community-based project developments to support grass-roots initiatives.

Ambassador Cox succeeds former Ambassador Corrine Tominkson.