The Federated States of Micronesia has become the first nation in the world to recognise the Prime Ministership of Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

Richard Clark, the Special Assistant and Press Secretary to the F.S.M. President David W. Panuelo, contacted the Samoa Observer after 7pm on Monday to relay the message of his President to the people of Samoa.

“I write to inform you, as attached via a press release, that our government recognizes the legitimacy of the Honorable Fiame Naomi Mata'afa as the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa,” he wrote in an email to this newspaper's newsroom.

In the press release that was attached to his email, President Panuelo highlighted the similarities in democratic values that both his country and Samoa continue to uphold and the F.S.M. stands with Samoa “in its darkest hour”.

“As the FSM is itself a democracy,” President Panuelo said in the statement, “that both upholds and promotes democratic values, it is imperative that we show our friends—especially during their darkest hours—that we stand with them.

“Samoa is a cherished friend and Pacific neighbor; recent weeks have been very troubling for the Samoan People, who have been witnessing what is arguably a constitutional and political crisis.”

“It is precisely in moments like these that we, as Micronesians, must be brave and proactive. The F.S.M. stands by the rule of law. 

“The People of Samoa are our friends; they need to hear that we support them in this crisis. They must know that they are not facing these challenges alone, but that their friends in the North Pacific stand with them.”

The F.S.M. government further stated: “To the people and government of Samoa: the F.S.M. extends to you peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity.

“At the time of this release, President Panuelo has instructed his staff to determine how he can reach Prime Minister Mata’afa to offer his sincere congratulations.”

The Press Secretariat of the caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi didn’t respond to emailed questions on Monday night seeking comment on the F.S.M. government’s announcement. The email was also copied to the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet C.E.O. Agafili Shem Leo.