Compact of Free Association - Definition and Overview

The Compact of Free Association (COFA) defines the relationship that three sovereign states—the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau—have entered into as Associated States with the United States.

Now sovereign nations, the three freely associated states were formerly part of a United Nations trusteeship administered by the United States Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs.

Under these free-association compacts, the United States provides guaranteed financial assistance over a 15-year period in exchange for certain defense rights. The U.S. also treats these nations uniquely by giving them access to many U.S. domestic programs. The freely associated states are all dependent on U.S. financial assistance to meet both government operational and capital needs. The Office of Insular Affairs administers this financial assistance. The freely associated states also actively participate in all Office of Insular Affairs technical assistance activities.

See also

• Protectorate
• Associated state

External links

• Compact of Free Association between RMI and FSM (http://www.fsmlaw.org/compact/)
• Proclamation by Ronald Reagan ordering the COFA between RMI and FSM to be enforced (http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/codification/proclamations/05564.html)