A New Relation (ATTN: Pelasgia)

[Ayyubistan]

The Most Serene Republic of Ayyubistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
June 9th, 1957

To our most honorable neighbors in Pelasgia,

We are pleased to inform His Majesty that The Assembly wishes to meet with representatives of Pelasgia to discuss the terms of a potential trade agreement between our sovereign nations. We request that the meeting taking place, should Pelasgia accept, in our Ministry. We wish for the date of such a meeting be within the next week. If Pelasgia can not attend for any reason, then Pelasgia may request a date of their own choosing. The Republic eagerly awaits Pelasgia's response.

On Behalf of The Assembly,

Signed,
​Saalim el-Rafiq

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Private Dispatch
​

9th of June, 1957
To whom it may concern,

The Pelasgian Empire would most certainly desire an agreement of such a nature between itself and the friendly, neighbouring nation of Ayyubistan. Though the circumstances which surround our region at this time might be rather dire and dangerous, we would still hope that our dispatching our deputy Minister of Shipping and Trade and our Deputy Minister of Defence, as well as our ambassador and two of his aides, including the military attache to Daradan to meet with a local delegation of equal nature and size would be acceptable.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragasēs

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Patrician Nobelissimus
Pelasgian Empire

 

[Ayyubistan]

The Most Serene Republic of Ayyubistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
June 12th, 1957

To our neighbors in Pelasgia,

His majesty's response has been noted, and arrangements are currently being prepared. We shall make sure that Pelasgian Delegations are met with utmost respect and hospitality. We shall have our delegation to be comprised of myself; Minister of Foreign Affairs, representatives from the Ministries of Commerce and Defense, as well as a small civil protection escort. The Republic awaits your arrival.

On behalf of The Assembly,

Signed,
​Saalim el-Rafiq

 

[Pelasgia]

Daradan, Ayyubistan
24/6/1957

The car of the Pelasgian delegation cruised through the streets of the sunny Ayyubistani capital, its Urudoah architecture being rather alien to anything the Pelasgians had seen before, even in Tephanon and Hiersolyma. After a few hours' worth of flight time, the Ministers had managed to catch a quick sleep, the latest developments in the Fatherland having kept them up for a few nights straight. Leading the delegation was Ikaros Ioannou Dragases Esq., the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former deputy Prime Minister of the Empire. Along with him were Mr. Perikles Philemonos Grammatikos, the Minister of Shipping and Trade, and Alexios Areos Ooryphas Esq., the Pelasgian ambassador to Ayyubistan and a coule of his aides. Upon arriving at the ministry, the delegation exited the vehicle, being led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dressed in a white suit with a cravat, as was common for Pelasgian aristocrats in hot weather. Over the suit, a livery collar was worn as a chain of office, along with the black and golden shash and necklace of the Order of Saint Kosmas of Theodoras. The dress of Minisyer Grammatikos was rather similar (save for the order), as was that of the Ambassador and one of the aides, though the second aide, a military attache, was clad in the olive green uniform of a Lochagos (Captain) of the Imperial War Army.

 

[Ayyubistan]

The Pelasgian delegation slowly rolled along the street towards the Ministry. Following shortly behind and directly in front was an Ayyubistani escort convoy, comprising of several cars and motorcycles of Daradan's City Guard. The road had been closed off, lined with guardsmen as well. The populace lined the stone walkways to greet the foreigners. Waving flowers and bowing their heads as the convoy passed by. The Ministry itself was magnificent, it's gold, dome roof reflected the afternoon sun. Ayyubistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saalim el-Rafiq stood prominently in the center of the walkway leading to the arched entrance of The Ministry. He was dressed in formal attire, a light sandstone-colored, military dress suit. His trousers the same color, with a thick red stripe running along the sides of his outer legs. Rafiq was flanked by two representatives of other ministries. On his left Shaheed al-Elbaz, of Commerce. On his right Yusuf Hashim, of Defence. Both in similar attire, only Hashim wore military decorations. Saalim checked his pocket watch as the delegation came to a halt in front of The Ministry.

"And not a second to spare..." Saalim said to himself quietly, as a guard opened the passenger side door.

 

[Pelasgia]

"It is an honour to be here," the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, extending a hand to his Ayyubistani counterpart; "Though I hope we did not make you wait too long." Similar greetings were exchanged on all sides by the individual delegates, as the two delegations moved into the magnificent building of the Ministry, its golden dome reflecting light everywhere, as if were a second sun. Though, the military dress of the Ayyubistani delegates was close enough to western attire, the likes of which the Pelasgians were accustomed to, the whole city, as well as its most welcoming inhabitants, were all rather exotic. Though he never was one to dislike pomp and ceremony, Minister Dragases was rather eager to get to the negotiating table with the Ayyubistanis, having postponed this meeting for nearly two weeks.

 

[Ayyubistan]

Saalim led the delegation through the atrium of The Ministry, it's walls decorated with colorful tile artworks. "We hope our welcoming ceremony was not too much to bear," Saalim chuckled, "The people tend to overcompensate gratitude to foreigners, especially ones of great prestige such as yourselves." The Pelasgian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dragases smiled subtly. "It is quite alright, we did not mind at all," he said, "It was a very pleasant ceremony." Dragases was dressed in a finely tailored suit, much like the rest of his delegation. Saalim walked towards two large wooden doors, guarded by a pair of Ayyubistani officers on either side. The two guards opened the doors leading to a meeting hall, with a large oak, oval-shaped table with just enough seats for every man in the delegation. Both sides of the hall were lined with arched walkways leading out into gardens on both sides. Both gardens were filled with exotic plant life and fountains. The gardens were almost devoid of human activity, aside from a single gardener, clad in white robes and a small sunhat tending to the east gardens. Saalim took a seat at the head of the table. His representatives finding seats respectively o neither side, as the Pelasgian delegation did the same. As the men were seated, several servants followed through the double-doors and placed two glasses on the table in front of each participant, one with bright red wine, the other held water.

"So gentlemen..." Saalim said, placing his hand near the glasses as if he still were deciding which to choose.

"Where shall we start?" he continued, carefully clasping the glass with water.

 

[Pelasgia]

Minister Dragases chose the glass of wine, as any true Pelasgian would hardly refuse the chance for a small glass of fine vintage, before replying to his Ayyubistani counterpart.

"I believe that before discussing the issue of what we should trade and in what way, perhaps we should examine how we are to trade. More specifically, our two countries lack any major railroad and aerial connections capable of sustaining large-scale trade and though there are maritime connections between us, they too would need great enlargement, if they were to sustain full mercantile exchange. To this end, we would propose the construction of a railroad network, connecting Pelasgia proper with Tephanon through Ayyubistan, as well as major Ayyubistani urban and industrial centres, especially ports. Our own contractors, along with Ayyubistani specialists, could oversee the construction, being experienced in infrastructure projects of such a scale. On the same vein, works to enlarge the capacity of Ayyubistani trading ports and civil airports could certainly be undertaken. What is your view on this matter, Mr. el-Rafiq?"

 

[Ayyubistan]

Saalim took a sip of water from the glass. "I believe a railroad would be perfect means for opening up trade possibilities for our nations," he said, "Perhaps even for the entire region, should the railway continue westward past Pelasgia." Saalim stole a glance to his colleague; Shaheed al-Elbaz of Commerce. "Although another issue must be considered," Saalim said, "The cost of such a project, especially of this scale, would be very strenuous on our budgets." "But do not think we refuse the idea, we are willing to undergo constructions," Saalim said looking towards Dragases, "If we could work out some sort of deal with plans or a long time agreement for the railway construction, it could make completion a closer goal."

 

[Pelasgia]

"You concern is valid and understandable," Minister Dragases stated, before being handed a file by the Minister of Shipping and Trade; "This is why we would be willing to incentivise our banks to offer loans at advantageous and low interest rates for the construction of the infrastructure. As for any extension of the railway beyond Ayyubistan, our own state shall undertake any costs that said expansion might necessitate. We also believe that many of our own companies would be willing to construct modern harbour facilities and airports to their own cost, provided they can operate and maintain them as their own private property, perhaps jointly owned and shared with the local authorities."

 

[Ayyubistan]

"Excellent!" Saalim said. "I shall see to it that preparations are made with our resources in order to make good on your offer." He took another sip from the glass of water. "As for your companies wishing to construct properties, we are willing to allow them possession of the land, but we do wish to have it shared with the local authority if possible." Saalim continued. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss the on the matter?" Saalim asked, "On the terms of how our nations are to exchange I mean." Saalim put the glass of water back on the table, then reached over to the glass of wine. "If not, we'd very much like to discuss what goods our nations will be exchanging."

 

[Pelasgia]

"A reduction in tariffs, or possible elimination thereof, on both sides would help in enabling free trade between us, thus putting the networks we hope to construct to good use," Dragases retorted, sipping some wine; "As to the goods traded between our countries, the Empire might itself have some substantial reserves of natural resources and despite our continued and considerable exploitation of them, Pelasgian industry seems to need ever more resources to fuel its production. We pride ourselves on being the prime industrialised nation of Himyar, and would be more than open to exporting our industrial goods to Ayyubistan, ranging from anything as simple as focal lenses and medicine to household applications and electronics, provided these could be reciprocated by an export of resources to fuel our production on Ayyubistan's side."