Crowned Conspiracy

[Pelasgia]

Propontis, Southern Tiburan Empire

Propontis lay covered by a thick veil of grey clouds, its temperature falling below ten degrees Celsius but still remaining above zero, in the extended autumn the locals called 'winter'. At the heart of the new metropolis, near the foot of the Acropolis of Iopolis, the ancient city which had predated the current Imperial capital, the government quarter of Propontis was to be found. A veritable maze of marble and stone buildings of various styles, predominantly neoclassical and Propontine baroque, the the government quarter or 'Augustaion' housed most of the important centres of power in the Southern Tiburan Empire. Among them was building of the Great Secretariat, officially known as the Megaron Kantakouzenou (Kantakouzenos Palace), a stone-built baroque palace-like edifice covering an entire block by itself, is grey facade being interrupted by crystal clear windows.

The eastern side of the Megaron Kantakouzenou did not directly meet the next building, the two being separated by narrow road and parking lot area which was fenced off and guarded on both sides, with trees discreetly concealing the area behind the fencing. Through this area, one could access a gate which went through the eastern side of the Megaron, leading to its large internal courtyard and gardens. It was in this courtyard that the Imperial delegation was received, after exiting their motorcade, by the Great Secretary and the rest of the Tiburian delegation. After both ministers stood in attention for their national anthems, which were played by a brass band accompanying an honour guard, they headed inside the Megaron, at the building's Great Hall. The Great Hall in question was a tall, spacious and elaborate room, with mirrors on one side and large windows on the other, its walls being finely coloured and embroidered in gold and imperial purple, as were its drapery and all cloth articles covering the oaken furniture of the room. Three large chandeliers of crystal and gold hanged over the large table which was at the centre of the room, with chairs on either side for the two delegations to seat at.

With tea, delicacies such as baklava, and water, as well as wine, if requested, being available, the two delegations were left to discuss and negotiate, before the state dinner which was scheduled that night. Following a toast to the Sovereigns of the attending Empires, the Great Secretary decided to start the discussion.

"I hope the flight and journey from across the Long Sea was pleasant, Your Excellency," he said, addressing Herr Falkenrath. "If you would be so disposed, would you like that the discussions commence by touching upon the topic of economic cooperation?"

OOC: @Carinthia-Harkány , sorry if I went a bit fast, I didn't want to drag the beginning of the RP on forever.

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[Oneida]

Minister Falkenrath always traveled with a staff notably larger than his position would normally require. An army of assistants, analysts, lower ranked diplomats, translators, and other support staff were all positioned on the State Plane carrying him to Propontis.

Norbert Falkenrath had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2015, the first year of Chanellor Stefan Furst’s administration. The Minister’s goal was to grow the Empire’s ties to other countries and stop the growth of aggressive factions toward the Empire. He was crucial in drafting an expanding several treaties, including the Imperial-Touzen Trade Agreement, which – though controversial – proved very beneficial to the Empire.

Norbert was an average sized man of sixty-five years. His hair was white as snow and so was the moustache that hung over his lip. He wore thin rimmed, round glasses and an attire that placed him more as an author, liberal arts professor at a high ranking Carinthian University, rather than the Chief Diplomat of the Empire.

He always had an admiration for the Pelasgian royalty. Their imperial grandeur was quite the marvel and he always enjoyed looking for the architecture that influenced the royal palaces of Carinthia and Harkány. The Great Hall was no different.

Before he began to speak with the Pelasgian Great Secretary, he helped himself to a cup of tea and piece of baklava.

“Geōrgios,” he began with near perfect Pelasgian “This room is as a grand and beautiful as I remember. It does the heart good to see you again – even more so that we get to leave the frozen tundra of Hallein.”

The Minister leaned back in his chair and allowed the Great Secretary’s return of pleasantries.

“Of course, we can begin on the topic of economic cooperation. I’m sure your staff has sufficiently briefed you, but if they did not – the economy of the Empire can often be tricky business. Carinthia and Harkány can, sometimes, find a variety of disagreements between what is good for the Empire. However, despite the disputes, the status of the economy is good and growing. Carinthia remains the financial capital of the Empire while Harkány strives and succeeds to provide the industrial background the Empire needs.”

“I think mutual investment opportunities exist and I am prepared, today, to work toward easing international cooperation between Pelasgia and the Carintho-Harkaner Empire. If I may ask, what goals is the Southern Tiburan Empire aiming to accomplish?”

 

[Pelasgia]

Secretary Kantakouzes did really enjoy seeing a friendly face after so long, a rare joy in his field of work, fondly recollecting the memory of meeting his Carinthian counterpart in an opera house, having since become a prolific consumer of that northern Empire's culture.

"One could observe, Norbert, that both of our Empires have tried to facilitate free international trade, a move which has occurred on your part through the Imperial-Touzen trade deal, and on our part through a series of free trade agreements with Engellex and the Trier Concord. To join these two networks of trade via trade agreement among our nations would be a significant step in creating a Europe of open and free mercantile movement."

"Now, since you mentioned investments, a great first step would be to encourage investments by our countries' entrepreuners in each other's lands and seas via means of reduced taxes and little bureaucracy for such moves. I am certain that both of our countries have markets and resources the other's firms would want to invest in."

"Facilitating the physical movement of goods is also another idea. Tiburia controls many major ports, airways and waterways, and reduced port duties for your Empire's ships would go a long way in this regard. In return, similar measures via air, land and sea on your side would enable Tiburian goods to reach northern Gallo-Germania easily. As such, our countries' goods would circulate freely on both sides of the Long Sea. Moreover, through our Empires these goods could filter into the surrounding regions, effectively creating two large poles of international trade across the Western hemisphere."

"Of course, there might be some concern about our industries overlapping in some regards. Aviation, automobiles and the like are made in both our lands, I believe, so it might be hard to sell a deal that could harm domestic industry. Perhaps that can be addressed with some clauses. What do you think, Norbert?"

 

[Oneida]

Norbert nodded as the Pelasgian spoke. Naturally, trade would be a crucial part of any talks between Carinthia-Harkány and the Southern Empire. He needed to be careful though. Understanding the internal politics of Harkány and Carinthia were crucial to any man who claimed to represent them on the international stage. Decreasing trade barriers between these two Empires would be something that the Harkaners wouldn't be so eager to accept.

"Of course," he began "there is overlap between our industrial strong points. That much is known. I see this as a position of real strength for both of our empires. For example, we both manufacture parts for airplanes. Thousands of parts go into even a basic aircraft and not all of these parts are constructed in Carinthia or Harkány. I believe that by opening up our Empires and decreasing arbitrary boundaries, both of our economies will grow. I would wager that Harkány would welcome some friendly competition from factories in the South. That is, after all, what created our capitalist world!"

Norbert leaned back in his chair.

"However, I do need to speak to you on a more sensitive topic. It is no secret that when it comes to trade and the seas, my Empire is always at a disadvantage. I assume you are well versed in the territorial claims of the Grand Duchy of Retalia, the nation has single handedly claimed the vast majority of the Retalian Sea as territorial waters. My nation's only access to the ocean is through those territorial waters."

Norbert was quiet for a minute to let the Secretary think on a topic he likely hasn't thought on before.

"Now, you must understand the hesitation of my people to increase shipping lanes knowing that at a moment's notice the Retalians can close off their waters or announce some absurd fee for passage. This is crippling to my country's future. Sure, they are friendly now, but who is to say where they will be in a month, a year, a decade?"

"My nation is working on reorganizing the territorial claims in the Retalian. It is crucial to our success that we succeed. I must know where Pelasgia stands on the Grand Duchy's claims."