Approaching the Strait (ATTN: Ivernia)

[Free Cities League]

ooc: not sure whether diplomatic conferences belong here. if not, please move the thread to the relevant sub-forum

Free, Founder and Capital City of Handelsburg, Free Cities League

Handeslburg was the Free Cities' crown jewel. An important commercial port since the Middle Ages, where it was the main door of exit of raw materials and furs from the deep North to the rest of Europe, it had become a world port in the Modern Age, with one of Europe's first stock exchanges and deeply rooted bourgeois culture in stark contrast with the rest of Europe at the time. With time, decline had made its way in the Contemporary Age, as a deep economic crisis struck the League and it lost its world relevance. Still an important exporter of raw materials and an important banking and financial center, the crisis forced the League to turn inwards, especially as its linguistic and ethnic conflicts got worse. But now, in the middle of the 20th century, the 700 year old merchant confederation wanted world relevance again. The President of the Council of Boroughmasters, institution charged with defining the general political direction of the confederation, had directed the General Administrative Council, the executive arm of the League's government, to begin engaging foreign nations to forge tighter commercial links. The first logical choice would be Ivernia, the democratic monarchy just across the strait, at least that was what Johann Buddenbrook, the President of the GAC, thought. Despite the traditional virulent anti-monarchical sentiment embedded in the League, Ivernia was a special case, as it was an elective monarchy and was undoubtely democratic. Buddenbrook was sure that the Kingdom of Celts and Germans that was Ivernia would be a valuable commercial, economical and even political partner of the League.

As the plane that transported Silvio Mac Brady, the Prime-Representative of Ivernia, arrived at the newly-built International Airport of Handelsburg, and was transported to the Bundeshaus, the House of the League, a massive medieval building constructed to serve as the central building of the League located in downtown Handelsburg, was preparing to host him. This was the first high-level diplomatic conference in Handelsburg in many years, and the GAC was ensuring that every detail was right. The Prime-Representative had been received by a military contigent and by William Billingham, the Director-General of Foreign Affairs. He was to be taken to the Bundeshaus to meet Buddenbrook, together with Billingham.

In a room decorated with tapestries from the Middle Ages, telling the tale of the liberation of Erding, the last holding of the tyrannic Margrave of Walmark, the last monarch in the German part of the League, with heroic burgers slaying mad royalists, Johann Buddenbrook waited. A relatively old man, he was the face of the German protestant establishment. Though of Flemish extraction, his family had moved to Lübeck, the second biggest German City-State, some centuries ago, becoming proeminent businessmen. He was the first to join politics, in a successful career in the conservative and dominating party of the Citizens' Alliance. As Mac Brady was taken to the meeting room with Billingham, a younger, more dynamic politician, from Warmstrand, the biggest of the English-speaking Norssexer City-States, Buddenbrook stood up, in his tight and neutral manner, welcoming the Ivernian:

"Welcome to the Free Cities' League, Mr. Mac Brady. I hope your trip went well and that Mr. Billingham was a good companion in the short trip from the Airport to the Bundeshaus. Can I get you something to drink? Schnaps, beer, wine?"@Ivernia

 

[Ivernia]

''Perhaps a tumbler of whiskey, please, if you have it. I would be inclined to try a domestic brand whiskey of your Free Cities if one was available without too much trouble. Thank you for the welcome Mr. Buddenbrook, I am very pleased to be in the Free Cities. I must say I found Mr. Billingham to be quite a fine companion from the Airport, I was enamored by his details as we passed through Handlesburg. I read of it's splendor in the past as a boy in history-class but I see it's lost none of it's shine and prestige. A capital to match any of the Gothic Capitals, including my very own dear Alderburgh back in Ivernia.''

Mr. Mac Brady shook the hand of Mr. Buddenbrook, and cast a eye around the room of the Buddenhaus he was brought to. He saw the tapestries across the walls, many of them depicting great and bloody battles. Mr. Mac Brady could recognise a few of them; several of them depicted the downfall of the old monarchy which brought about the rise of the Free Cities themselves. Some of the most monumental events in the gothic sea's history. One such tapestry was of the Northern Crusades, when Ivernish Knights themselves were cast upon the rocks of the Free Cities shores in a failed attempt to bring them under the ''Proper Church.'' It reminded Mac Brady why he brought up his new initiative for closer ties with Ivernia's neighbours and why he was to pleased to receive this invitation, in order to stop our differences bringing Germania and Scania to war and persecution. Mac Brady was still shook from the tragedy that occurred in Cantignia just today; a stark and horrible callback to the region's past.

''Mr. Buddenbrook I am very pleased that you have organised this summit and I believe the invitation could not have been sent sooner. I believe the Free Cities could have a prominent place in this world and I believe we've only just scratched the surface of the potential of your nation. I am proud and eager to be able to represent the High Kingdom of Ivernia here today and help both of our nations mutually benefit from each other. Economically and indeed, commercially.''

 

[Free Cities League]

"I am extremely pleased that you enjoyed your trip Mr. Mac Brady. I will pour you one of the finest brands of whiskey from Norssex, the only place in the Free Cities where whiskey is produced in a considerable scale. Bushmills, 20 years."

As Buddenbrook poured the drink into Mac Brady's glass, he had himself a little bit of schnaps, traditional Germanic drink produced in many places.

"A toast to mutual prosperity!" he asked. Buddenbrook was never the outgoing type, but he had been groomed to behave in such social formal situations. His education to be a businessman had its usefulness in what concerned politics. As they sat down, he took some papers and documents from his briefcase.

"Mr. Mac Brady. The wars that ravaged the Gothic Sea in the past were never an advancement. War itself is a regrettable event which sacrifices human life, the most important of God's gifts to mankind. Nobody respects Christ's advice to 'turn the other cheek'. Just think of what happened today in Cantignia...regrettable."

For any politician the Free Cities wars were no regrettable only due to the loss of human life. For any merchant nation wars mean long-term loss of profit. That was the real reason for Buddenbrook's shunning of armed conflict.

"As good Christians we are we should strive for a peaceful coexistence between all States, and the League itself is a prime example of that. We brought Germans, Flemings, Norssexers and Bogans together in a project of peaceful coexistence, despite the lingustic, cultural and religious difference. Some of us might be Protestants, other Catholics, some even Pagans, but we are all united in the prospect of peace and prosperity. And we want to export that idea. That is way I consulted my economic advisors and I approach you with a proposal that would benefit our two States greatly - the signing of a Commercial Treaty that would start a process with the result of the abolishment of custom duties, in order to ensure the free movement of goods between our two States. The concept is simple, goods from outside the League and the High Kingdom would continue to pay the customs duties they always had, but once they were inside this hypothetical free trade area, they would move freely, without restriction other than those concerning public health, public order and security and public morality. The loss of revenue in the abolishment of such duties would be compensated by the increased economic activity that would generate taxable private revenue, to the point it would benefit even more our treasuries. This free trade area would also include progressive abolishment of restrictions to provide services and to establish subsidiary companies... The objective? Increase economic activity, improve the life of our citizens and ensure war is physically impossible and economically costly by putting economy, trade and prosperity first. I do not exclude the possibility of calling on other States to join, if they wish so. I know it is a bold proposal, but, in a time where totalitarisms such as Mezhism and Communism, and extremists like Post-Delegationists emerge, the free nations of Europe must send a clear message - we are united in a different conception of international relations, we are united in cooperation and ensuring economic prosperity. What are your thoughts on this Gothic Sea Free Trade Area?"

 

[Ivernia]

''A toast!''

Mac Brady took a drink from his tumbler, allowing the Norssexer Whiskey to rest before swallowing. It was sweet and smoothly intense. Ivernish whiskey tends to be overbearingly strong, northern Formorian Whiskey the worse culprit, which proudly maintains a distinctive style.

''Mr. Buddenbrook! I must say you have brought a very agreeable and straightforward concept to me. There has been a lot of talk of Free Trade these past few years. Yes, even the economists in Ivernia have been wondering whether we might indulge in this new concept. A lot of attempts have been made in the past. Ivernia was once a part of the ''European Free Trade Agreement,'' however it was set up by the Kingdom of Danmark and became alike some sort of Danish Hegemony. When the Kingdom of Danmark fell, so too did the EFTA. In shambles it ended. It was all too political.''

Mac Brady had an urge to smoke his pipe. Such a downfall.

''There is another Free Trade Agreement just recently established. The Tripartite Agreement. While I'm sure to the outside world seems a military agreement and nothing more, It was actually a project of economic and cultural union between like-minded free democracies. Meant to bind our peoples in trade and mutual prosperity.''

''The High Kingdom of Ivernia is a member of this alliance. As is the Kingdom of Ostveg, another member of the Gothic Sea. So as you can see, Ivernia is pre-disposed to working alongside the freedom-minded nations of the world, and removing trade barriers within the Gothic Sea. I would be very interested in establishing the Gothic Sea Free Trade Area between the High Kingdom and the Free Cities League. Very interested indeed. It would of course have to be run over by our economists, you know how these things are - but I can see this being a great start to a new year for our two nations.''

 

[Free Cities League]

"However, if this Tripartite Agreement implies a Free Trade Area, I suggest you this idea: we shall contact the other members of the agreement in order to lobby for the membership of the League. Meanwhile, we can sign our free trade agreement, which will also prepare our economy for the shock of foreign competition. Let us review this. I propose the following points, to be analysed by our chief economists:

- Free movement of goods: abolition of custom duties for goods moving between the League and the High Kingdom, prohibition of quantitative restrictions to imports and exports and prohibition of any internal discriminatory taxation or any measures having equivalent effect to any of those aforementioned. That means our goods will be in equal footing while circulating between our territories.

- Freedom to provide services: we commit ourselves to lower the requirements that hinder the possibility for any service provider to go from one State to the other in order to provide such services.

- Freedom of establishment: we commit ourselves to lift restrictions on the establishment of subsidiaries from our companies in our respective territories

We would also like to note that a protocol on applying the same rules to workers and capital in the near future, providing we have enough time to think about such sensitive issues and our parliaments agree, could be signed.

What do you think, Mr. Mac Brady?"

Feeling the need to smoke due to Mac Brady's pipe, Buddenbrook lit a cigarette, while waiting for the answer.

 

[Ivernia]

Mac Brady was glad of the size of the room, with it's space he felt more easy to smoke his pipe without harming such fragile tapestries. However once the fill got too smoky he stifled it all the same.

''I agree with your sentiments Mr. Buddenbrook. Your last point, regarding the movement of workers and capital I find intriguing. It is definitely something that I would have my people look over in the near future.

Regarding the Tripartite Agreement, if you are truly interesting in applying - as a like-minded nation - then I salute your endeavour. If Ivernia has the chance we will vouch for you. Regardless I think an inquest towards the Austwegians wouldn't go astray. They are a good people. Their Queen in fact, is a Germanic like yourself, and yet an Ivernish born like myself - ha ha ha! I like to think I could predict that she and her parliament would be responsive to the issue. Especially seeing as her parliament has taken a very.. pacifist turn of late. They would respond well to talks of trade and stability, yes?''

He emptied his pipe into a silver box and handed it to an Ivernish diplomat, the pipe was his property - and for his own coat pocket. He would have a proper smoke another time.

''I must say this summit has been well timed. Both our nations seem eager to work closer in the Gothic and I think we should leap on the potential. My party has been pushing for closer ties with the gothic for some time - it will be no time at all to draft the legislation for the Ivernish House of Representatives.

I think it's time we both signed something perhaps? Time to put our agreements to paper to bring back to our assemblies.''

 

[Free Cities League]

"Let's do it then."

Buddenbrook put off his cigarette and ordered the registrar to put the wordings to paper, according to the instruction of auxiliary jurists.
Thirty minutes later, the wording was ready.

"Well, I think we have here the Treaty Establishing the Gothic Sea Free Trade Area. We have here all points previously discussed:

- Free movement of goods - this Treaty prohibits the High Signatory States from imposing custom duties, quantitative restrictions on imports and discriminatory taxation or any measures having equivalent effect to those thereof. Custom duties between the League and the High Kingdom shall be lifted. Restrictions on grounds of public health protection, public order, public policy or public morality shall be allowed.

- Freedom of establishment - this Treaty prohibits any measures aiming to hinder the establishment of natural or legal persons from one of the High Signatory States on the other in order to discriminate with basis of nationality. Restrictions on grounds of public health protection, public order, public policy or public morality shall be allowed.


- Free provision of services - this Treaty provides that any self-employed service provider can freely move between the High Signatory States with no restriction whatsoever, except those based on the aforementioned grounds. Restrictions such as barriers to entry or discriminatory taxation shall be prohibited.

- A High Authority for the Gothic Free Trade Area, with the responsability to oversee the application of the Treaty shall be created, and a Court of the GSFTA shall be created in order to solve any dispute arising thereof.

- Protocol nº 1 - the High Signatory Parties shall reconvene in the near future to discuss the possibility of including provisions on free movement of workers and of capitals."


He delivered the document

"Shall we sign it? Everything in order?"

 

[Ivernia]

Mac Brady looked over the paper, then handed it to his colleague who also read it over. After a few moments it appeared they were both satisfied.

''Yes, this is all in order, thank you Mr. Buddenbrook I'll just sign this now.''

The Prime Representative of Ivernia then took his ball-point from an inner pocket and signed his name in one quick stroke.

''I believe that is that. Everything in order. I hope you don't mind - I have one of my transcribers here, to translate it into Ivernish Gaelic. He won't be a moment.''

The transcriber quickly worked up a copy for the Ivernish delegacy. He slid the finished piece into a brown envelope to be sent back to the Ivernish Parliament post haste - so the other representatives could look over the details before Mac Brady had even returned to the High Kingdom.

''I believe congratulations are in order Mr. Buddenbrook. We have just done a momentous thing for our two nations. May trade and prosperity bring our two nations together.''

The Ivernish man raised his glass to the Free Cities delegacy once again, and once again drank from the tumbler of Norsexxer Whiskey.

 

[Free Cities League]

After signing the paper himself, Buddenbrook raised his glass as well.

"May both of our Nations enjoy mutual prosperity, through trade! .... The paper will be now translated into German, Flemish and Boganish, and will be approved by both houses of the Confederal Congress. We will initiate contact with the Austwegians in order to start negotiations for the Tripartite Agreement, and maybe broaden its economic scope to the present conditions.

Well, let us talk to the press and take this to our parliaments!".