Détente à la Serenienne [ATTN: Serenierre] - Meeting Thread

[Pelasgia]

Propontis, Optimatoi Prefecture, Pelasgian Empire

As the hot but humid morrow of the last days of spring reached its end and gave way to noon, the tarmac of Propontis International Airport "Attalos the Great" boiled. The scolding Pelasgian sun cast a shadow right below those on the ground; a small, battalion-sized formation of honour guards of the Imperial Pelasgian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with marching bands and standards. A detachment of the Imperial Guard, including Gallian mercenaries, also stood at attention, in their distinctive dark blue uniforms with red and gold linings. As the sun reached its highest point for the day, the plane carrying the Serennien delegation touched down on the tarmac and slowly begun moving towards the welcoming party.

The plane's door opened and an aircraft ladder was attached to allow the passengers to disembark. At the sight of delegation from @Serenierre, the marching band begun playing

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and the honour guard saluted. Amidst the various banners borne by the soldiers, sailors, and airmen were the Serennien and Pelasgian flags, the only not to be lowered in salute. Finally, at the end of the red carpet, the Pelasgian delegation, headed by Prime Minister Thrasivoulos Platanias, the 12th Baron Platanias, welcomed the Emperor's Gallian guests.

After an exchange of pleasantries with lots of photographic opportunities, the two delegations entered their vehicles, black

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sedans, and moved toward the Pelasgian Senate Building at the Grand Palace of Propontis, where the meeting between them was to be held. Once there, the two delegations moved a large conference room where they were sat across, equipped with a projector for each side to present images, along with name tags, microphones, and desk flags for each speaker. Each of the guests was treated to a small piece of baklava, a traditional Pelasgian treat for guests, along with tea, coffee or water of their choice. Prime Minister Baron Platanias, sitting right across from his counterpart, begun the meeting. "I wish to welcome you to the centre of Pelasgian government, Mme Premier. It is my distinct hope that friendship and cooperation can prevail between our countries, despite our history."

(OOC: See

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for the diplo thread; sorry if I rashed through the welcome ceremony a bit, I wanted to get the meeting going without delaying too much)

 

[Serenierre]

Elisabeth Martinique smiled as she shook her counterpart's hand. "I echo the sentiment, Monsieur Platanias." She spoke in her smooth Gallian tone, with a translator available for the benefit of both sides. Not many people in Serenierre spoke the Pelasgian language and so the Ambassador had had to arrange for a Pelasgian woman who spoke Frankish. Obviously, Elisabeth had ensured that Directorate 77 had scoped her out long before she would ever be anywhere near the two important leaders. As the meeting commenced, Elisabeth knew that there would be some serious issues to be discussed and sorted out. If things worked out between the two countries, she could be sure that a considerable geopolitical shift would potentially occur in the wider Claret Sea. That excited her.

"Monsieur Prime Minister," she said to her Pelasgian counterpart, choosing to avoid the monarchist titles which otherwise accompanied his name, "As you will appreciate, Serenierre is a considerable presence in the Gallian context and our economy is a very important player in the immediate region of Gallia and also in the wider region of the Claret and Remain seas. As such, I think it would be best to begin our discussions with a study of how best to expand the scope of bilateral trade between our two countries. I am sure there are many avenues open for cooperation between the two of us. I am eager to listen to the Pelasgian position on trade and other such matters before we explore more contentious issues."

Yes. Contentious issues. Many would arise in the meeting. Obviously, Montedoro would feature front and central in that regard. Though the issue of Kadikistan and the moribund SQT system of international politics, too, would need to be discussed. Elisabeth steadied herself for a long day.

 

[Pelasgia]

"Monsieur Prime Minister," she said to her Pelasgian counterpart, choosing to avoid the monarchist titles which otherwise accompanied his name, "As you will appreciate, Serenierre is a considerable presence in the Gallian context and our economy is a very important player in the immediate region of Gallia and also in the wider region of the Claret and Remain seas. As such, I think it would be best to begin our discussions with a study of how best to expand the scope of bilateral trade between our two countries. I am sure there are many avenues open for cooperation between the two of us. I am eager to listen to the Pelasgian position on trade and other such matters before we explore more contentious issues."

Yes. Contentious issues. Many would arise in the meeting. Obviously, Montedoro would feature front and central in that regard. Though the issue of Kadikistan and the moribund SQT system of international politics, too, would need to be discussed. Elisabeth steadied herself for a long day.

"Madame Premier," Baron Platanias replied, "Serenierre's preeminent role in Gallia is known to all intelligent men and women, especially since the Fall of Bourgogne and the perpetual decline of Auraria." Platanias spoke through the aid of a Phrangopoulos translator, a man descended from the Gallian crusaders who had stayed in Pelasgia and adopted Orthodoxy after the end of the Great Himyari Crusade and the Propontine Restoration. "As it stands, Pelasgia is the cornerstone of the Himyari economy, primarily due to our early industrialisation compared to the other powers in the continent. Trade has always been a major aspect of the Pelasgian economy, ours being the largest merchant marine in Europe. Indeed, the future only predicts a growth of trade. So far, our main form of economic interaction with Gallo-Germania has been the export of our natural resources, as we prefer to avoid competition in terms of industry and instead channel our industrial goods within Himyar. Moreover, our main target of exports has been Germania, primarily due to our close relationships with Ivar and Trier. However, there are many in Pelasgia who wish to open trade across the Claret Sea completely; I count myself among them, and find that an equitable distribution of trade between our countries could prove much beneficial to us both, in opening the Himaryi Economy to Serenierrre, and the Gallian Economy to Pelasgia. We could of course, begin with a survey of our main export industries. As it stands, Pelasgia's main exports are medium-tier automobiles, grain and foodstuffs, manufactured goods such as clothing or appliances, and generic medicine. In terms of resources, oil and ores are known Pelasgian exports, though we equally specialize in aluminum, zinc, nickel and other metals. Depending on Serenierre's exports, we could see where tariffs and other barriers could be lowered or adjusted. Once this fertile topic has been exhausted, we can indeed discuss more contentious issues."

Though trade was a major concern, and would probably be the cornerstone of détente between Propontis and Villesen, the contentious issues that made this détente necessary in the first place would obviously have to be tackled: the maritime dispute with Montedoro would likely be brought up on Pelasgia's part, along with the SQT on Serenierre's. Pelasgia would likely not miss a chance to bring up the status of the Claret Sea and the growing encroachment of the DDI in the region, something which Gallian Serenierre probably knew all too well.

 

[Serenierre]

"Madame Premier," Baron Platanias replied, "Serenierre's preeminent role in Gallia is known to all intelligent men and women, especially since the Fall of Bourgogne and the perpetual decline of Auraria." Platanias spoke through the aid of a Phrangopoulos translator, a man descended from the Gallian crusaders who had stayed in Pelasgia and adopted Orthodoxy after the end of the Great Himyari Crusade and the Propontine Restoration. "As it stands, Pelasgia is the cornerstone of the Himyari economy, primarily due to our early industrialisation compared to the other powers in the continent. Trade has always been a major aspect of the Pelasgian economy, ours being the largest merchant marine in Europe. Indeed, the future only predicts a growth of trade. So far, our main form of economic interaction with Gallo-Germania has been the export of our natural resources, as we prefer to avoid competition in terms of industry and instead channel our industrial goods within Himyar. Moreover, our main target of exports has been Germania, primarily due to our close relationships with Ivar and Trier. However, there are many in Pelasgia who wish to open trade across the Claret Sea completely; I count myself among them, and find that an equitable distribution of trade between our countries could prove much beneficial to us both, in opening the Himaryi Economy to Serenierrre, and the Gallian Economy to Pelasgia. We could of course, begin with a survey of our main export industries. As it stands, Pelasgia's main exports are medium-tier automobiles, grain and foodstuffs, manufactured goods such as clothing or appliances, and generic medicine. In terms of resources, oil and ores are known Pelasgian exports, though we equally specialize in aluminum, zinc, nickel and other metals. Depending on Serenierre's exports, we could see where tariffs and other barriers could be lowered or adjusted. Once this fertile topic has been exhausted, we can indeed discuss more contentious issues."

Though trade was a major concern, and would probably be the cornerstone of détente between Propontis and Villesen, the contentious issues that made this détente necessary in the first place would obviously have to be tackled: the maritime dispute with Montedoro would likely be brought up on Pelasgia's part, along with the SQT on Serenierre's. Pelasgia would likely not miss a chance to bring up the status of the Claret Sea and the growing encroachment of the DDI in the region, something which Gallian Serenierre probably knew all too well.

Elisabeth did not appreciate the Prime Minister's outright declaration of closeness with Trier and Ivar, both nations ill-suited to be mentioned in a discussion with her. Though of course, tact was her foremost tool. She ignored it and the comment from the gentleman opposite only drew a momentary glance away from him and to her papers. "And as you are well aware, our economic base is most heavily focused on industry and the services sector, along with agriculture as well, and Pelasgia stands as an important supplier for many of the raw materials that our various industries need... be it directly or through its position as the foremost independent voice in Himyar." After Natal's capitulation before the odious alliance, in her view, Natal was to be written off in Serenien eyes.

"In relation to items we could assist with, our chemical industry is world renowned, as well as our pharmaceutical sector, albeit we suffer on account of Eiffellandian corporate defamation, you know how their businesses operate," she gave him a knowing look. Everyone knew the strange antics of the Eiffellander automobile industries and in her view that ethos of national supremacy extended to other sectors, as well. "But we also have significant industries focused on the construction sector and the financial services sector as well. In more wider terms of course," she passed a dossier to the Prime Minister, "the Commissariat for Trade has prepared some documents for your government to consider a wider range of items and industries covering all aspects of the Serenien export market."

"However, Monsieur Premier, the fundamental aspect of any trade arrangement would need to focus on Pelasgia's role as a stable and reliable supplier of oil. Serenierre is a nation with considerable needs and following the breakdown of relations with the Kadikistani Union we have needed to find more agreeable suppliers. To me, at this moment, I think Pelasgia should seriously consider our proposal of discounted rates for oil supplies to Serenierre for guaranteed off take, meaning that Pelasgian oil will always find guaranteed sales in Serenierre if it provides priority to Serenien orders from our various companies engaged in the oil distribution side. Obviously, there is a prestige in working with the Pelasgian oil sector and I would quite seriously hope that Propontis considers the economic viability of such an arrangement."

"Additionally, Serenien businesses are more than willing to engage closely and seriously with Pelasgian counterparts and to that effect I propose our trade ministries establish official trade conferences to allow such cooperation to increase. I think Serenien franchising law is also robust in its protection for intellectual property and we believe that Pelasgian brands should explore the avenues of establishing offices or subsidiaries in my country. As the largest economies in our respective regions, we do stand to gain tremendously from such efforts."