; Public Law 99–239 ) and the United States and the Republic of Palau entered into the Compact of Free Association set forth in section 201 of Public Law 99–658 ( 48 U.S.C. 1931 note) to create and maintain a close and mutually beneficial relationship. (3) The Compact of Free Association, as amended, between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia , the Compact of Free Association, as amended, between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands , and related agreements were signed by the Government of the United States and the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and approved, as applicable, by section 201 of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 ( 48 U.S.C. 1921 note