Foreign relations of the Marshall Islands

While the Government of the Marshall Islands is free to conduct its own foreign relations, it does so under the terms of its Compact of Free Association with the United States. Since independence, the Republic of the Marshall Islands has established relations with 67 nations, including most other Pacific Island nations. Regional cooperation, through membership in various regional and international organizations, is a key element in its foreign policy.

The Marshall Islands became a member of the United Nations in September 1991. The Marshall Islands maintains embassies in the United States, Fiji, the Philippines, Japan, and the Republic of China (Taiwan). They also maintain a consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

In May 2005, Chen Shui-bian, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), became the first foreign head of state to make an official visit to the Marshall Islands.

Disputes - international:The United States and the Marshall Islands governments both claim Wake Island, which puts the United States' armed forces in the ambiguous position of defending US territory while acting as guarantor of the territorial integrity of the Republic with which the US has a Compact of Free Association.

ee also

*Marshall Islands
*Marshallese diplomatic missions

External links

* [http://www2.un.int/public/Marshall_Islands/ Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations]
* [http://www.rmiembassyus.org/index.htm RMI Embassy to the U.S.]
* [http://majuro.usembassy.gov/ US Embassy in Majuro]