Associated state
An associated state is the minor partner (some of them dependent territories, some of them fully sovereign) in a formal free relationship with a major party—usually a larger state—that allows the former to share aspects of governance, such as defense, foreign policy, and economy, with the latter. 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.