free association

New Zealand has what is known as a "free association" relationship with the Cook Islands, and helps the latter with defence and foreign affairs.

One possible next step is a free association - something like the US currently has with Pacific states the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

He has called for a "free association agreement" with the US covering trade and defence which would give Greenland independence but hand the US responsibility for security.

Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation, is in "free association" with New Zealand, which is responsible for the former's foreign affairs and defence.

Such is free association in the age of late capitalism.