ASSOCIATED STATE
An associated state is the minor partner of a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a (usually larger) nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted. The details of such "free association" are contained on a Compact of Free Association and are specific to the countries involved.
All free associated states either are independent (with status of subject of international law) or has potential right to independence.
Informally it can be consider more widely: from a post-colonial form of amical protection, or protectorate, to confederation of unequal members when the lesser partner(s) delegate to the major one (often the former colonial power) some authority normally exclusively retained by a self-governing state, often in such fields as defence and foreign relations, while often enjoying favorable economic terms such as market access.
A federacy, a type of government where at least one of the subunits in an otherwise unitary state enjoys autonomy like a subunit within a federation, is practically very similar to an associated state, with such subunit(s) having considerable independence in internal issues, except foreign affairs and defense. Yet in terms of international law it is a completely different situation because the subunits are not independent international entities and have no potential right to independence.
Associated States of the United States
The Federated States of Micronesia (since 1986), Palau (since 1994), and the Marshall Islands (since 1986) are associated with the United States under what is known as the Compact of Free Association, giving the states international sovereignty and ultimate control over their territory. However, the governments of those areas have agreed to allow the United States to provide defense, funding grants and access to US social services for citizens of these areas.
Puerto Rico (since 1952) and Northern Mariana Islands (since 1986) are non-independent states and freely (willingly) associated with the USA. The commonly used name in Spanish of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, literally "Associated Free State of Puerto Rico", which sounds similar to "free association" particularly when loosely used in Spanish, is sometimes erroneously interpreted to mean that Puerto Rico's relationship with United States is based on a Compact of Free Association and at other times erroneously held to mean that Puerto Rico's relationship with United States is based on a Interstate compact. This is a constant source of ambiguity and confusion when trying to define, understand and explain Puerto Rico's political relationship with the United States.
For various reasons Puerto Rico's political status differs from that of the Pacific Islands which entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States. As sovereign states, these islands have full right to conduct their own foreign relations, while the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territorial status subject to United States congressional authority under the Constitution's Territory Clause, “to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory… belonging to the United States.” [1]. Puerto Rico has right to full independence, but at the last refererendum (1998) the majority voted for "none of the above" [2].
Associated States of New Zealand
The Cook Islands (since 1965) and Niue (since 1974) – neither is independent – are formally to be "in free association" with New Zealand. The residents of those islands are New Zealand citizens. In contrast to the US situation, those territories are not treated by the UN as independent states, although the Cook Islands have the right to declare independence, are parties to several international conventions (such as the convention on children's rights) and regional organizations, and already maintain diplomatic missions in other countries.
In early February 2006, Tokelau voted in a referendum to determine whether it wanted to remain a New Zealand territory or become the third state in free association with New Zealand. While a majority of voters chose free association, the vote did not meet the two-thirds threshold needed for approval.
Former Commonwealth associated states
A formal association existed under the Associated Statehood Act 1967 between the United Kingdom and its former colonies in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda (1967-1981), Grenada (1967-1974), Saint Lucia (1967-1979), Saint Kitts and Nevis (1967-1983), and Saint Vincent (1969-1979). Under this arrangement, each state had full control over its constitution, although all of them have since been granted full independence.
Other comparable relationships
Some of foreign affairs of Liechtenstein (since 1923) are handled by the Swiss Confederation, in a loose form of association, although Liechtenstein is otherwise constitutionally separate and independent in all other matters.
Some of foreign affairs of Monaco (since 1814) are handled by France, in a loose form of association, although Monaco is otherwise constitutionally separate and independent in all other matters.
Some of foreign affairs of Andorra (since 1278) are handled by France and Spain, in a loose form of association, although Andorra is otherwise constitutionally separate and independent in all other matters.
The foreign affairs of Bhutan, a Himalayan Buddhist monarchy, are handled by the neighbouring republic India (since 1971), which thus sort of succeeds to its former colonizer Britain's role as protector, in a loose form of association, although Bhutan is otherwise constitutionally separate and independent in all other matters. Before its annexation by India (1947-1975), a similar relationship existed with Sikkim, which is now a constitutive state.
This kind of relationship also can be found in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where the continental part is organized like a unitary state but the status of its external territories - Aruba (since 1986) and the Netherlands Antilles (since 1954) - can be considered as associated non-independent states. After split up of Netherlands Antilles (on 1 July 2007) Curaçao and Sint Maarten will be an associated states like Aruba. Although this relationship is similar the Kingdom of the Netherlands is actually a federacy.
According to a law of the Republic of Tatarstan (1990-2000), and the Treaty of Mutual Delegation of Plenipotentiaries between it and the Russian Federation (1994), from 1994 to 2000 Tatrstan was considered a sovereign state under international law, but associated with Russia.
According to statements of officials of Abkhazia and Transnistria (self-procalimed unrecognized republics secceeded from the meanwhile indepedent, former USSR's formerly constitutive Soviet Republics Georgia and Moldova), after recognition of its independence Abkhazia and Transnistria intend to be an associated state of Russian Federation. In September 2006 in Transnistria would be the referendum for associated status.
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