A senior official of US Department of State told the US Congress on Tuesday that the Biden administration was confident of reaching a strategic agreement with the Marshall Islands. The Pacific island nation's foreign minister had called for more US money to deal with the legacy of massive U.S. nuclear testing to enable his country to extend a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Washington governing bilateral relations.

Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink told a subcommittee of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the administration was "absolutely committed" to reaching an agreement with the Marshall Islands, calling such agreements "central to our entire position in the Pacific."

"Every one of our partners, sovereign partners, in the Pacific, they have their own needs, desires, their own politics," Kritenbrink said, declining to give more details about the negotiations. "We're working through that right now, but I'm confident that we will get there."

The Marshall Islands and two other Pacific island nations are covered by COFAs. Under this, the US has responsibility for their defence and providing economic assistance, while gaining exclusive access to huge strategic swathes of the Pacific.

In May, the US announced that it had finalised terms of COFA with Micronesia and Palau. However, talks with the Marshall Islands are yet to result in an agreement.

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Renewal of the deal, subject to approval from the Congress, has become a key part of US efforts to shore up its influence in the region.

China has been taking assertive steps to gain influence in the region traditionally considered to be backyard of Australia and New Zealand. Chinese assertiveness has shaken Western powers, including the US to renew efforts to engage with Pacific Island nations.

Under memorandums of understanding agreed this year, the US will commit a total of $7.1 billion over 20 years to the three nations.

Marshall Islanders are still plagued by health and environmental effects of 67 US nuclear bomb tests from 1946 to 1958, which included "Castle Bravo" at Bikini Atoll in 1954 - the largest US bomb ever detonated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A senior official of US Department of State told the US Congress on Tuesday that the Biden administration was confident of reaching a strategic agreement with the Marshall Islands.

A senior official of US Department of State told the US Congress on Tuesday that the Biden administration was confident of reaching a strategic agreement with the Marshall Islands. The Pacific island nation's foreign minister had called for more US money to deal with the legacy of massive U.S. nuclear testing to enable his country to extend a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Washington governing bilateral relations. Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink told a subcommittee of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the administration was "absolutely committed" to reaching an agreement with the Marshall Islands, calling such agreements "central to our entire position in the Pacific." "Every one of our partners, sovereign partners, in the Pacific, they have their own needs, desires, their own politics," Kritenbrink said, declining to give more details about the negotiations. "We're working through that right now, but I'm confident that we will get there." The Marshall Islands and two other Pacific island nations are covered by COFAs. Under this, the US has responsibility for their defence and providing economic assistance, while gaining exclusive access to huge strategic swathes of the Pacific. In May, the US announced that it had finalised terms of COFA with Micronesia and Palau. However, talks with the Marshall Islands are yet to result in an agreement. Also Read | Donald Trump says he is likely to get arrested in January 6 riot case Renewal of the deal, subject to approval from the Congress, has become a key part of US efforts to shore up its influence in the region. China has been taking assertive steps to gain influence in the region traditionally considered to be backyard of Australia and New Zealand. Chinese assertiveness has shaken Western powers, including the US to renew efforts to engage with Pacific Island nations. Under memorandums of understanding agreed this year, the US will commit a total of $7.1 billion over 20 years to the three nations. Marshall Islanders are still plagued by health and environmental effects of 67 US nuclear bomb tests from 1946 to 1958, which included "Castle Bravo" at Bikini Atoll in 1954 - the largest US bomb ever detonated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US upbeat about reaching agreement with Marshall Islands on COFA terms

As Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visits Pacific nations, reports claim journalists have been blocked from covering events.

The Guardian newspaper quoted journalists saying that they were blocked from filming events and not allowed to ask questions&nbsp;as Wang Yi visited the island nations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-planning-security-and-economic-cooperation-with-pacific-island-nations-report-482156">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-planning-security-and-economic-cooperation-with-pacific-island-nations-report-482156" hreflang="en">China planning security and economic cooperation with Pacific island nations</a>

The development comes as Samoa signed a bilateral agreement with China last week for "greater collaboration" during the Chinese foreign minister's visit. Reports claimed the details of the engagement were unclear but it involved security and economic engagement.

The Samoan government said discussions revolved around "climate change, the pandemic and peace and security". Reports claimed although local media was invited but no questions were taken by government officials.

Watch:&nbsp;Small Pacific Nations reject China's deal

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Western governments were alarmed after China announced its engagement plan with Pacific island nations although Wang Yi had rejected concerns, saying: "China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country."

Wang had told journalists in the Solomon Islands that "Pacific island countries are entitled to make their own choice". The economic package reportedly involved free trade agreements and millions in assistance to the Pacific nations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said his country needed to "respond" and to "step up" in Pacific engagement amid China's growing footprint in the region.

Albanese criticised the earlier Australian government asserting that they had "dropped the ball" while asserting that, "For our Pacific Island neighbours, the issue of climate change is an absolute national security issue."

The newly-elected Australian prime minister promised to boost aid and to set up defence training schools in the Pacific.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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As Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visits Pacific nations, reports claim journalists have been blocked from covering events. The Guardian newspaper quoted journalists saying that they were blocked from filming events and not allowed to ask questions as Wang Yi visited the island nations.

As Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visits Pacific nations, reports claim journalists have been blocked from covering events. The Guardian newspaper quoted journalists saying that they were blocked from filming events and not allowed to ask questions as Wang Yi visited the island nations. Also Read: China planning security and economic cooperation with Pacific island nations The development comes as Samoa signed a bilateral agreement with China last week for "greater collaboration" during the Chinese foreign minister's visit. Reports claimed the details of the engagement were unclear but it involved security and economic engagement. The Samoan government said discussions revolved around "climate change, the pandemic and peace and security". Reports claimed although local media was invited but no questions were taken by government officials. Watch: Small Pacific Nations reject China's deal Western governments were alarmed after China announced its engagement plan with Pacific island nations although Wang Yi had rejected concerns, saying: "China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country." Wang had told journalists in the Solomon Islands that "Pacific island countries are entitled to make their own choice". The economic package reportedly involved free trade agreements and millions in assistance to the Pacific nations. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said his country needed to "respond" and to "step up" in Pacific engagement amid China's growing footprint in the region. Albanese criticised the earlier Australian government asserting that they had "dropped the ball" while asserting that, "For our Pacific Island neighbours, the issue of climate change is an absolute national security issue." The newly-elected Australian prime minister promised to boost aid and to set up defence training schools in the Pacific. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Wang Yi visit: Journalists blocked from covering events in Pacific?

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US upbeat about reaching agreement with Marshall Islands on COFA terms

Wang Yi visit: Journalists blocked from covering events in Pacific?