CLASSIFIED || Private Communique || Chancellor of Eiffelland

[Serenierre]

Office of the Premier
CLASSIFIED: Top Secret

To,
The Chancellor of [MENTION=18]Eiffelland[/MENTION].

The concord signed between our two governments, and our friends in Tiburtina, is indeed a partnership which shall have an historic impact on the collective strength of our region in economic matters. But the reason for my writing this letter to you is not our Concord, but rather the Memorandum of Understanding we have initiated with Bourgogne. During our talks in Trier for the summit, if I remember correctly, you had said that if matters between Bourgogne and Belmont became, let us say less than polite, that Trier would choose the Burgundians. While this comment hurt the sense of national pride that lies in my very bones, I felt that it would be best to not have Trier make such an unpalatable decision. So, I said to myself, why not bring both Bourgogne and Belmont, at-least on paper, onto the same side. It is my hope that my government succeeds in mending bilateral ties with Merteuil.

I look back to my visit to Trier with fondness and write to you now as a friend, both politically and personally, and it is my opinion that you are in the best position to ensure that the process that has begun from our end continues from the Burgundians side. The political capital that I have spent on securing this deal will only be well spent if tangible returns start to be demonstrated through the establishment of positive ties with the Burgundians. You should be aware that if my government weakens and the Nationalists take over, the foreign policy of Belmont will not be as conducive to multilateral cooperation as it is under my government. This is something I am not willing to allow. But on that issue I shall only go so far.

The main reason that I write this letter today is to say that my government would support including Bourgogne into our Trier Concord economic agreement to further expand the potential of our economic partnership. This shall allow a continuous trading region to emerge from the Long Sea to the Thaumantic. At the same time, I would advise you to also look into inviting the Nichtstein government into the Trier Concord as well. I would argue that Eiffelland and Belmont are the two strongest economies in the region and we should collectively guide our region to reach the highest heights of prosperity. Further, if your government has any grander strategic goals, it would be wise to explore the possibility while supportive partners are in place in the respective capitals of Gallo-Germania.

Message delivered by the EMBASSY OF BELMONT, TRIER

 

[Rheinbund]

OOC: I noted this. My answer will be positive. Due to time constraints, I will write it this weekend.

 

[Rheinbund]

Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

Streng geheim — Top Secret

To: Premier Sherazade Martinique

Dear Premier Martinique,

It was my intention to phrase my concerns about what seemed a deterioration in the relations between Bourgogne and Belmont. I also wanted to stress that the relations between Bourgogne and Eiffelland are friendly and based on centuries of history. In hindsight, I have to say that I used too strong words for that. Please accept my apologies for that.
In the issue at hand, it was our impression that Bourgogne didn’t deserve the negative critics it received. That was the reason why I mentioned it. But let it be clear that we don’t approve by default what Bourgogne does. Also that country has to behave according to international law. Also that country has the duty to keep its relations with other countries good. Should Bourgogne do something that would harm Belmont, we would side with Belmont. And should Bourgogne do something that has to be critisized, we would criticize Bourgogne as much as other countries would do, and we wouldn’t hold you from doing the same.

In any case, it was a very wise decision of you to start bilateral talks with the Government of Bourgogne. The Memorandum of Understanding between Bourgogne and Belmont is a very wise decision, like we already mentioned in public statements. We will do everything we can to make clear to Bourgogne that good relations with you is also in its own interest, and we will make sure that we keep the momentum in this.

Also I consider it a good idea to invite Bourgogne to the Trier Concord. The Long Sea is a narrow sea strait at some points, and it can be easily closed by a naval force, or by one of the nations bordering it. In that case, an alternative route from the Long Sea to the Thaumantic Ocean should be in place. My thought for that is a railroad that connects Tiburtina’s Long Sea harbours with the harbours in Western Bourgogne and Western Belmont.
We also consider it a good idea to invite Nichtstein to the Trier Concord. Given its proximity to our respective countries, and to Tiburtina, it would be a logical member, also because it is situated between Tiburtina and Eiffelland.
Let’s consult the Government of Tiburtina for this.

Best regards,

Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Chancellor


OOC: I had to look up “top secret” in German, and found the translation here:

You must be registered for see links

. I am surprised that the French didn’t bother to find a really French word for it, especially after they thought up a really French word for “computer” (“ordinateur”) while almost all other countries just took the English word for it (although I sometimes hear “Rechner” from my German colleagues).