Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau held a call with Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. to reaffirm the partnership between the United States and Palau. According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, "Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke today with Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. to reaffirm the close U.S.-Palau partnership and underscore our nations’ shared resolve to address regional and global challenges together."
During their conversation, both leaders discussed a new Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Palau concerning the transfer of third-country nationals who have no known criminal histories. The discussion also covered ongoing U.S. commitments to support Palau in several areas, including strengthening health care infrastructure, increasing capacity to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking, and improving Palau’s civil service pension system.
