Île-des-Pins Development Conference [Attn: CBS, Lars]

Institute for Social Research
Île-des-Pins, Lower Marpesia, Gunnland

The conference was the brainchild of Théophile Gladstone-Pape, who wanted to gauge the interest in Lars to joining a Northern Tiburan Empire with Elben, Bourgogne, and Gunnland. Gladstone-Pape dreamed of a new Catholic hegemon rising to control the continent. Too bad they're Jansenists, he kept thinking. The Francophone Marpesienne MT wore slacks, not a kilt. Théophile resented the clannish control over his country and dreamed of a more civilized, ancient power formation.

Of course none of this could be said outright. Instead Foreign Secretary Stephen Larkin, seated next to him (in a blue-and-green Gunn kilt, of course) would do the talking, at least at first.

Larkin had different plans, the official foreign policy. He was going to try again to ram through a trade deal with the Crotobaltislavonians and extract mining concessions from them. Gunnland was going to try again. Rumors that the Moravcsik Plan had stalled, and that Ivar-Banja Luka relations had grown tepid, had convinced Windhaven to try again. A few hundred million fiorinos from Lars would work as a nice carrot, also. Larkin would also look to negotiate a Council of the North-Bourgogne-Lars free trade deal, so that Gunnish goods were guaranteed to reach Eiffelloretalian markets duty-free. This was his overarching interest.

There were rumors in Windhaven that the queen would replace the foreign secretary if he failed a second time to achieve his economic-integration plans, which the Slavonians had backed out at the last minute in the greatest embarrassment of his career. Larkin didn't know whether to feel smugly satisfied, how is that Moravcscik Plan working out for you now, you assholes? or furious with the Slavonians. The problem with these communists is that they found ways to make money even when nobody else around them was.

"Welcome to Île-des-Pins, my friends, welcome to Gunnland."

Professor Lihi Hodiah, President of Crotobaltislavonia, was representing the Motherland. Her first foray into international politics she wanted to make a good impression as "one of the boys" and was wearing a simple black pantsuit with a white blouse. She looked over at the Gunns, admiring Foreign Secretary Stephen Larkin's attire.

When it was her turn to speak, Lihi said, "Crotobaltislavonia has so many to thank for their assistance in recent times. The first must be the Elbeners, of course, who have been in the fight to support our peoples since in the beginning. Next, Lars must be acknowledged for taking up the fight to bring Crotobaltislavonia to the next level. And of course, Gunnland, a reliable neighbor who has helped the Motherland in the past, their sponsorship of this conference is appreciated.

"Thank you."

The new minister for good relations with Crotobaltislavonia, Orlando Furioso and Foreign Minister Francesco Greco were sent to the conference from Lars. The latter, Francesco, unlike his colleague, who had just been appointed to the office, was a profesionist of the policy of the Grand Duchy, a former minister of the previous government, and was one of the few to hold offices due to his diplomatic skills following the change of government.

Francesco was curious to know what interests I would tie the Kingdom of Gunnland to the Republic of Crotobaltislavonia. It was essential to know if these interests could be a threat to Lars's interests in the area. The new government of the Grand Duchy opted for a more far-sighted policy, helping Crotobaltislavonia in order to mitigate the great humanitarian crisis on border between the two nations and if it were possible, earn a strategic trading partner in the future, diversifying trade routes.

There was another factor that attracted the attention of Francis, the possibility of being able to visit a Catholic kingdom, so similar to the Grand Duchy, but different in small details. It was like seeing the same picture painted with different colors and opposing points of view. A point of view more linked to traditions and Christian and a more modern and secular one.

"The Grand Duchy is happy to be part of this conference, and we hope the success of this extraordinary event." Said Orlando.

The four men and President Hodiah sat around a round table set low in an ISR mediation room, headphones in front of them in case the live-translators above and behind were needed. A framed portrait of Queen Julian stared down at them. Foreign Secretary Larkin was speaking. He was on thin ice. MacIntyre and MacReddin had already been fired. The queen was tired of hearing the same complaints about Gunnish interests in central Gallogermania. Larkin hadn't been sorry to hear Valerian Fyodorov had been blasted into ten thousand pieces of charred meat.

"I take my main rôle here to mediate between Lars and Banja Luka," Larkin said disingenuously, "but I have proposals for each of you, respectively."

"First, we would like to see last year's Revitalization Treaty with Crotobaltislavonia come up to vote again in the National Assembly. Our view is that former President Fyodorov, may perpetual light shine upon him..." Larkin bowed his head solemnly. "...made a last-minute miscalculation during a stressful time. We are willing to waive our oversight provisos, now that it is clear that the Free Canton is emerging as a more confident multiparty democracy."

"Second, we would like to arrange a free trade treaty with Lars, and assurances that Gunnish goods can be transported through the Grand Duchy duty-free to Eiffelloretalian markets."

A female aide leaned over President Hodiah's shoulder, placing a folder containing the Revitalization Treaty text on the table. Lihi opened the folder and skimmed the executive summary.

"Crotobaltislavonia is willing to reconsider its disapproval of this treaty with Gunnland. Of course, conditions have changed and are expected to continue to change," she looked at the representative from Lars and smiled. "I would like to speak of other matters first before Crotobaltislavonia recommits to a treaty that was negotiated six months ago."

Orlando was surprised at the Gunnland Kingdom's request. He was not prepared for agreements of this size, even allowing access to the good of Gunnland to a market of about two thousand million consumers.

"I admit that Grunland's request finds me completely unprepared, but it still hurts me to inform you ..." Orlando was interrupted by his oldest and most experienced colleague, Francesco. The foreign minister whispered something to his colleague in Italian before leaving to make a call.

"While we await the response of the call, I believe we can return to the main topic of the conference." A brief silence cracks Orlando's speech as he place some papered he had in front of him in the order that he prefer. "President, what theme would you like to address? " He turned to the Crotobaltislavonia delegation.

President Hodiah's aide placed another folder on the table. "Thanks to the Grand Duchy of Lars' generous contribution to Crotobaltislavonia's future, the Free Canton is now in the planning stages of constructing the Three Gorges High Dam in the Banja Luka-Capital District. At this point, I cannot give any exact estimates on how long construction will take or how much labor it will need. But rest assured, we believe the dam's construction will solve the problem of employing returning refugees for years to come.

"What the Free Canton needs now is to marshal the refugees wasting their time in camps across Germania. The refugees need to be brought home, organized, and trained for the task ahead. And that is where Crotobaltislavonia will need more assistance."

"President, the government of which I am a member would be delighted to help refugees return to their country, only if they wish to do so."

Orlando extracted some documents from his briefcase, and handed them to President Hodiah. The documents contained a detailed report on the exact number of refugees and their protection category offered by the Grand Duchy.

"As you can see, many of the applicants for humanitarian protection are citizens who would risk legal repercussions and limitations of their civil liberties in their own country. There would also be another chapter, as you can see on pages twelve and thirteen, several refugees were in a state of pregnancy when they reached the border, their children born in the Grand Duchy, by law, are citizens of Lars, with all rights, duties and protection of the Grand Duchy.

Turning instead to the following pages, there are some suggestions that my government is allowed to suggest. The Republic of Crotobaltislavonia, in order to velvet the repatriation of its citizens, could subscribe to the

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If the government of the republic will demonstrate to our courts their intentions to improve conditions and guarantee rights to their citizens, they did not believe there will be any need to issue further humanitarian protection permits by the our courts..

President Hodiah leaned back in her chair. A male advisor leaned forward from where he was seated behind her and whispered into her ear. As he spoke, she nodded. When the man was finished, the President leaned forward again.

"I am saddened to say that many of the refugees will remain where they are. We did not act soon enough to settle affairs at home and repatriate them.

"As for this other matter, I must speak with Prime Minister Sobel and she will wish to consult with the minority leaders in our National Assembly. But I think that the RSCO is a possibility for Crotobaltislavonia."

Minister Julia Leverkühn’s Italian was not accentless, but it was good enough to do business or diplomatics in. So she talked Italian with Minister Francesco Greco when she answered the call.

“Leverkühn.”

“…”

“Buon giorno, signore Ministro Greco. How are you?”

“…”

“I’m fine as well, thank you.”

“…”

“So Minister Larkin wants to close a free-trade deal with Lars, and duty-free transport of Gunnish goods to Eiffelland-Retalia. I don’t think that that will be a problem, but I will discuss with Chancellor Rheinfeld as well.”

A few minutes later, Leverkühn called Greco back.

“Signore Ministro Greco, we don’t see a problem with Minister Larkin’s proposal. We will also agree with a free-trade agreement between Eiffelland-Retalia and Gunnland. You can mention that to Minister Larkin as well.”

Francesco Greco had finished his phone call and returned to his colleague sitting at the negotiating table. He approached him and whispered, in Italian, the success of the call. The two ministers exchanged a glance of understanding before Francesco returned to his seat.

"From what my colleague told me, we have permission from the authorities of the Kingdom of Eiffilland to negotiate on the demands of Gunnlland." Orlando said, as he put away the documents concerning the refugees from the CBS republic.

"Yes, I confirm, but first I want to know more details about your requests, because what the Kingdom of Gunnland asks us is not about this conference, which has a completely different theme. If you allow me, we are completely surprised by your totally unexpected requests." Francesco Greco added, speaking to the Gunnland delegation.

Foreign Secretary Larkin looked a little bemused that Furioso and Greco admitted to phoning Eiffelland for permission to negotiate about trade barriers. But mostly he was very pleased.

"We see Crotobaltislavonian revitalization taking place in the wider context of regional economic integration," Stephen said. This Larkin's nice way of saying he wouldn't piss on a Crotobaltislavonian refugee if he were on fire. Gunnland was interested in making money, and would only spend a talent on the Free Canton if some win-wins were on the table. "There is a path to prosperity when Crotobaltislavonia becomes an open crossroads for central Gallogermanian commerce, and that means when trade volume between North and South increases."

The Kingdom of Gunnland would like to see the Republic of Crotobaltislavonia as a crossroads between the north and south of Gallo-Germany or its interests are others, thought Francesco.

"At present, as far as we know, the main economic partner of Crotobaltislavonia is the Kadikistani in addition to Serenniere, but for the latter the trade was hindered by the border closed with the Grand Duchy.
We would like to know if the Republic of CBS would be able to adapt to the new flow of goods with its infrastructures and being ready to have new main economic partners.
It would be counterproductive to have Gunnlland's goods accessed at the single Long Sea market if the transport is slow or expensive." Francesco said.

President Hodiah responded, "Crotobaltislavonia has a decent national highway system. Our Highway One is a modern four-lane road that runs from the border with Elben in the north to the border with Lars in the south. Crotobaltislavonia does not boast any major east-west road artery. And while the railroad system is actually quite extensive, it is geared towards local service.

"Crotobaltislavonia is willing to be be restored as a major crossroads of GalloGermania. We are willing dismantle our border controls and allow freedom of movement between north and south. But, our infrastructure will need to be updated and cross-border transport links will need to be established to accomodate a new level of usage."

Francesco was a little surprised by the President's statement. Speaking of removing controls was a huge step, unexpected when you consider the situation on the border between the Grand Duchy and CBS just over a month ago.

"I do not think I understand, the Republic of Crotobaltislavonia is by chance suggesting to join the common market in turn or simply to leave free passage for the products that transit in its territories in exchange for infrastructure modernization? In the first case, at present, CBS's economy may not be strong enough to complain with that of other member countries and risk being initially damaged."

President Hodiah glanced at the Gunnish. "Perhaps we are circling back to the Gunnish proposal: a major thoroughfare across Crotobaltislavonia. But in a more general sense. Crotobaltislavonia revitalized and opened up to movement and foreign investment."

"The Grand Duchy could increase its investments in the

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Republic in exchange for a 22% supply of electricity produced by the dam to the Lars electricity grid." Orlando affirmed and then left the speech to his colleague Francesco.

"We are also willing to accept the entry of goods from the Kingdom of Gunnland into the Single Long Sea Market. First, however, we want to know exactly what plans the Kingdom of Gunnland has in mind to integrate the economic system of Crotobaltislavonia into the region?"

"Excellent. As President Hodiah is no doubt aware, our plans for integration is an offer of a substantial FDI package that we believe will aid development. The Revitalization Treaty includes provisions for Gunnish primary-sector companies to have access to mines and forests in Crotobaltislavonia, and was worked out to employ Crotobaltislavonians and build infrastructure in the western part of the country. It was passed overwhelmingly in the National Assembly but vetoed by President Fyodorov frankly for reasons that are unclear to us, and perhaps reasons that he took to his grave. The Foreign Office is willing to pledge an additional t200 million for highway construction costs."

President Hodiah smiled at the Gunnish and Larsian representatives. "Your generosity staggers. I do not know why the former Prime Minister changed his mind, but I cannot see any reason not to accept the Revitalization Treaty. And Lars' conditions for investment are acceptable as well. I will happy to return to Banja Luka and recommend that Prime Minister Sobel and the National Assembly back our agreements here today."

The double doors parted and a woman of medium height in a navy turtleneck dress, blonde hair swept back in an updo, entered the room. She wore a silver Gunn brooch clasped by the sword-wielding arm in the clan badge. She was, of course, the queen. Théophile and Stephen stood quickly and bowed curtly.

"Your excellencies. Madam President. I would like to thank you for your service to the continent, and reaffirm Gunnland's commitment to peace and prosperity in our region. I am reliably informed that the dark days of the war and refugee crisis are beyond us, and that the partition of Bourgogne will not threaten to destabilize the region or the gains made at this conference."