US Recognizes Cook Islands As Sovereign State- Biden

The United States is recognising the Cook Islands as a sovereign nation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in a statement on Monday.

Biden said in a statement that Washington recognized them as “sovereign and independent” states and would establish diplomatic relations with them, adding that the move would help advance a “free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

The announcement comes as Biden prepares to welcome leaders to Washington for a two-day U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Summit expected to focus heavily on the impact of climate Change.

REUTERS