An
associated state is the minor partner in 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 in
United Nations General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) Principle VI, a
Compact of Free Association or
Associated Statehood Act and are specific to the countries involved. In the case of the
Cook Islands and
Niue, the details of their free association arrangement are contained in several documents, such as their respective constitutions, the 1983 Exchange of Letters between the governments of
New Zealand and the Cook Islands, and the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration. Free associated states can be described as independent or not, but free association is not a qualification of an entity's statehood or status as a subject of international law.