U.S. and Republic of Marshall Islands Enact Compact of Free Association as Amended

The United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands exchanged diplomatic notes in Majuro on May 1 bringing into force the Compact of Free Association, as amended. The Compact is a bilateral agreement, originally agreed to in 1986, through which the U.S. provides a defense commitment and substantial economic assistance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Grants provided under the Amended Compact over the next twenty years will facilitate the economic and social development of all Marshallese citizens. The Amended Compact also provides the U.S. a 50-year extension to rights to use the eleven defense sites that comprise the missile defense testing and space operations facility on Kwajalein Atoll.

2004/484