The newly inaugurated Governor of the Northern Marianas, Eloy Inos, says one of his first jobs will be to make a formal request to the US President Barack Obama on special talks between the two governments.
Mr Inos says he will ask the President to appoint his representative for the talks, known as 902 consultations, allowed for under CNMI's Covenant with the United States.
The Governor says many issues need to be addressed.
Expected to be discussed are a plan by the US Department of Defence to use the international airport on Saipan as an alternative airfield and the militarisation of the islands of Tinian and Pagan.
My Inos says he is confident of spirited discussion and many agreements which demonstrate CNMI's willingness to be an equal partner with the US, at the same time preserving the territory's values and culture.
Saipan airport, CNMI Photo: Free google search image