ECONAMS :: Permanent Conference of the Realms

[Jydsken-Østveg]

With a great deal of fanfare and sparkling wine passed out to all the parties from Justosia, Lars, and Mazidia, the idea of the Permanent Conference was set. Moderating the Permanent Conference was Annika Jensen, who was unattached from the actual Two Kingdom’s delegation and acting as the secretariat. The position for her was a test run for a larger plan that was to be kicked into motion within weeks, but this was something that was not common knowledge.

The Two Kingdoms delegation was headed by Ambassador to ECONAMS, Anders Nielsen. Anders would open the idea of the Permanent Conference and would set forth in motion the newest diplomatic group in Europe.

Turning on his microphone as he sat at his table, the other delegations from Justosia, Lars, and Mazidia sat grouped together around him in a square. He cleared his throat slightly and began, “Ladies and Gentlemen, my new friends, who together have gathered here to meet at this Permanent Conference of the Realms. It is my pleasure as your host here in Gothenhagen? Mhm, yes I do believe you all refer to Gøthehavn as Gothenhagen in English... in any case, I believe some congratulations to ourselves is welcome for coming here and embarking on a new diplomatic idea. While it might be fun to continue to enjoy the moment, it has come to my attention that the Justosian delegation has an interest in getting straight to business.” He straightened his tie and moved some papers about as get got ready to read one of them.

“Without further delay...,” he began to read, “The Great Southern Kingdom’s representive, Mr. Blount has requested that this group be moved forward as an alliance with defensive agreements. I would like to leave the floor open to the Great Southern Kingdom to discuss his idea, or for other nations to please state their own opinion on the matter. Thank you.”

 

[Justosia]

An aide from Blount scurried over to Mr. Nielsen's delegation:

"Sir, respectfully, please address him as Your Excellency or Prime Minister."

Upon that relay he rushed back to the Royal Delegation as the PM rose.

"Firstly, greetings esteemed colleagues. I convey that my boss, our sovereign King, wishes he could be here himself. He is working toward, praying toward the day when crowned heads of Europe can travel freely internationally without second thought. He wishes all of you the best.

Mr Nielsen, I am honored to be here. However I must, respectfully correct you. Our government has no interest in making this a military alliance. Our definition of pacifism is anything other than direct military power. So indeed this should be a pacifist alliance, treaty, however we wish to define it. The definition will matter not if there isn't SOME SORT of power behind our will generale. The other nations of Europe will laugh at us otherwise. Especially if they discern we'd do nothing if a member state was aggressed against. This alliance is a facet guarding our way of life. Our way of life as right leaning, monarchist nations of Europe. Make no mistake, the Socialist, Communist nations of Europe lick their chops at us. This alliance is beyond necessary. Even the left leaning democratic nations of Europe, especially two in our region, envy us. This is for good reason. They fear us for no good reason. The most bellicose nations of Europe are, in reality, Europe's 'democracies'. Europe is still a powder keg. So indeed hard power is out. A premier alliance should project soft power first and foremost.

In this spirit. I introduce that one of our main articles be, for defence generale, unilateral trade and personal sanctions leveled against any aggressor or aggressor governmental representative, on a member state. Attack one, attack all. Article One. This alliance should NEVER start a war. In hitting hostile pocket books, we can perhaps make sure no further European wars are started period. If this alliance reaches its true potential. I yield."

The PM downed a glass of water & sat.

 

[Justosia]

Blount sat. Yet no one else rose. This bewildered him slightly. He felt he hadn't fully expressed the will nationale. Or contributed enough to the treaty debate. He rose again.

"Furthermore, Mr. Nielsen, if I, respectfully may. Have our sovereign Lords not already exchanged pleasantries with much in common between them? Overcome foolishness together? Are not our Great Southern Kingdom, and your Two Kingdoms of the Protestant umbrella? Fellow defencors of Christensendom? Both Capitalist? I don't believe I need go on.

Yes indeed I believe all our member states share variants of this common blood. SACRED, COMMON BLOOD. I must request, respectfully, that you relay to your chief elected representative, sovereign, whoever you must, that this new, utterly relevant, integral alliance take priority over prior agreements from a time no longer relevant we believe.

I urge you not to trust nations that don't share our common bond, ideology, who are in fact, diametrically opposed to it. Who want it destroyed, subjugated. Some months ago, whilst we were very explicitly minding our own business nationale, our nation was threatened by the Northern Cooperative Unions. A cabal of shrieking, radical left, thieves masquerading as both democratic, and isolationist. We were threatened to stay away from the north. Then we were told, that our rightist nation had no place on the continent, or planet. This oppressive excuse for a government denies free markets. Ergo it denies free people. Denies free and fair elections whilst, falsely, claiming it might soon liberalize. Worst of all this 'isolationist' cabal aided in the Occitan Civil War. When we were called to the legal aid of our formal ally, they were aiding those communist guerillas however they could. They are darkened, hissing, venomous serpents. A chief destabilizing factor in Europe still. We still consider them a threat to our security nationale. Even if they did just indirectly lose a war.

They hate us. They hate you. They hate Christianity. They hate Capitalism. They hate, in my humble opinion, all that is good, righteous, and free in us. That is my example of warning. We need to protect our way of life. Not theirs. I humbly, respectfully implore this governing body, ratify our proposed Article One. Thank you. I yield."

Blount sat again. This time visibly drained.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Nielsen observed Mr. Blount’s speeches and nodded. He first found the associated delegate who urged him to speak to Mr. Blount as Your Excellency or Prime Minister with a title a bit funny. Jysk-Austwegian culture was so informal that simply by referring to Blount by his last name felt awkwardly formal. Either way he didn’t want to offend his guests. He felt almost assured he’d repeat the mistake at some point.

He found the speech quite animated and that interested him. He did not understand why the Justosians felt this was their hill to stand on. Coming into the agreement, Foreign Minister Maren Tilde made it quite clear what the impressions and opinions of Gøthehavn was. Nielsen did not want to be rude, and was very interested in the impressions of the delegation from Lars and Mazidia. “May I ask for the opinions of Lars and Mazidia? I do believe you are offered an opening statement of sorts before the Two Kingdoms. We would not dare be so rude to our guests as to speak over you. I insist you speak your minds.”

 

[Imimoya]

It was the turn of the representative of the Grand Duchy of Lars to speak.
Gedeone Paternoster leaned forward to the microphone and press the key to speak.

"Honourable Member of the council, I am Gideon Paternoster and i will be Lars' representative until the formation of a new national government in the Grand Duchy. I thank the colleague of the southern kingdom for his intense intervention, but I find myself in disagreement on various topics you have exposed.

The Kingdom of Justosia, unlike the Grand Duchy and the two Northern Kingdoms, does not confine itself to nations that could represent a threat to its security. There is no way that "communist" nations can invade Justitia, logistically it is impossible, on the other hand, the southern kingdom over the years has not had a forward-looking communication policy.
We are convinced that only with a patient dialogue can we avoid further destabilization in the area around our Grand Duchy.

Changing the subject, but not by much, I sincerely hope that there is something else besides our Monarchies and religion to unite us. The religion I personally would not call it, we could find out that we are different."

The representative of Lars gave a short laugh and passed the word.

 

[Justosia]

Blount didn't fully understand the reaction. Perhaps these nations hadn't been threatened like Justosia had been. This cool, almost nonchalant attitude. Seldom could one get elected in the Great Southern Kingdom unless they oozed thunderous purpose. He himself certainly couldn't have. Perhaps this was the attitude difference between north & south. How is a strong, defencive, soft power doctrine not important?

"Religion, ideology, economics. These are indeed strong ties. They bond us together. Let us cement them. I feel I should reiterate my point. A strong soft power/fiscal doctrine would send a signal to the rest of Europe. The rightist, monarchist nations of Europe have come to accord and we mean to be taken seriously. I yield."

 

[Justosia]

Blount sat, awaiting the Mazidian representative's response. By now news of his Kingdom ending DR One & de-nationalizations should have reached his colleague's respective news agencies. This could only serve to improve his standing. He had prepared a proposed Article 2 as well. This one pertaining solely to trade internationale. He figured it would be better received. He still had trouble figuring out why they weren't jumping on what is commonsense to him. He also hoped news of Justosian arms industry giant Lyon had reached The 2 Kingdoms. He sat patiently. Taking another drink of water.

"Northern politics is.......very different from our own." He said to himself.

 

[Imimoya]

The south must be a good place if people can say everything they think without consequences, Gedeone thought.

"We think for a moment that the Grand Duchy accepts to create a defensive alliance with a distant nation like Justosia. Now let's think of an attack on Lars by those nations that threaten Justosia. How many weeks do we need before Justosia reinforcements can get to the Grand Duchy? Two? One? While your soldiers will play sailors for the seas, the enemy will already be in our capital for days. It takes just over 48 hours to the enemy to get to Lars from the ground and just over 12 hours by sea.

These are numbers that go beyond politics. There's no reason to have overseas allies who can not help us. If I were Justosia's government, I would concentrate on strengthening political ties with our neighbors. Even if they are "democracies of the left", a term that makes no sense."

 

[Justosia]

Blount was confused, then amused. He rose.

"Respectfully, Mr. Paternoster you are quite mistaken. Or perhaps I wasn't clear? We're talking about SOFT power, good sir. To be taken seriously, any premier alliance or accord simply MUST HAVE SOME sort of deterrent defence. I reiterate, if one member state is aggressed against, the other member states of this trade and economic alliance should agree to unilaterally impose full trade and personal sanctions on all high levels of said aggressor's government. This is the essence of Article One. Which is open to proposed amendments I might add. Soft power like this doesn't start wars in our opinion, it STOPS them from starting. I believe this is the perfect balance of deterrence and peace.

Now if your noble nation would like to establish a proper military defence alliance with the Great Southern Kingdom of Justosia, we'd be willing, happy, honoured. Capable as well. Our nation now possess power projection capabilities. To project peace through strength. I yield again reminding this good body that yay or nay, my government and I should accept your will generale."

Blount again sat.

 

[Imimoya]

"Let me be honest. At present, the Justian Kingdom appears to be a noisy nation. The noise he had produced attracted the attention of big nations, not always friendly.

The Justian Kingdom must be more diplomatic even with enemy nations.

With this I conclude my speech and go back to Lars. The next intervention will surely be discussed by my substitute who will arrive from the Grand Duchy. If the honorable colleague of Justosia wants to continue the speech, prepare a draft agreement for my successor."

The honorable of the Grand Duchy of Lars got up and left the room.

 

[Justosia]

Blount was unphased by this as he rose. Foreign Minister Torres was almost selected for this mission. His firery nationalism was second only to that of HRM. He was tame in comparison.

"If I've offended the Honourable at all I do indeed apologize and wish him well. What I, chief elected representative of the Justosian people and their voice here, will not apologize for, is defending interests nationale. Deterring our enemies and attempting to do so here."

Blount then organized his papers.

"I move we adjourn for temporary reccess until a......willing representative from the Duchy arrives. From respect of course. Is this agreeable?"

 

[Justosia]

Blount's phone buzzed. He peered at the text. He was thrilled. He was more hopeful now the Duchy government would send a stronger, truly rightist representative.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Nielsen decided that he need to speak to clear the silence as the diplomat from Lars left the room. The change of persons in the middle of a meeting was highly unusual. The banter back and forth was also slightly awkward. Something that perhaps the Justosians understood and expected. He’d kept up with Justosian discourse of the past months and realized how they usually did a great deal of intimidation or grand-standing to push away opposition nations. For the most part, it worked well for them. It did not however bring them respect. It was perhaps the polar opposite for the Two Kingdoms. They did not often have things go well for them; however, they were respected by nearly every nation in Europe for being fair, just, and polite. Or at least this was how Nielsen felt.

Nielsen took a sip of water and cleared his throat a little, “I think while the diplomat from the Grand Duchy has stepped out I would like to make it clear on some terminology. First and foremost, I believe many in this meeting are mistaken when they are to assume that soft power is something that could be tied to anything with defensive arrangements or alliances. This term soft power... it keeps being used. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Nielsen gave everyone in the room a chance to look at his face. It was perplexed, certainly quizzical. He continued, “The point and purpose of the Prime Minister’s efforts, are impassioned. I must give him the most generous of compliments towards his effort and passion. This all considered, unlike the sea which may batter the rocky cliffs to potentially seem pointless...” He paused to collect his analogy and to give it the correct words. “...Jysk-Austwegian politics of neutrality will not fall into the sea at random 1000 years from now.” Nielsen sighed, and took a look at the paper he was holding. He was actually very curious as to what the second part of the the Prime Minister’s plans were. His first plan came to the table with zero chance of acceptance by the Two Kingdoms. Although it was possible for the next diplomat from Lars to have a change of heart. They could only wait. “Ladies and Gentlemen, should we take a short recess while we await our colleagues from the Grand Duchy to return?”

 

[Justosia]

"Respectfully good sir. I must take a brief personal recess. My staff and deputy will remain in case liasing is needed." The PM bowed & exited.

-Phone call-secure/encrypted line-

"Tell me good things Jean."

"Majesty. They don't understand our politics, ways, needs, etectra. North and south are different indeed. Article One appears to be a no go. Even if a more favourable Lars rep arrives."

"............Proceed with Article Two. If this alliance becomes an economic powerhouse in its own right than it's all the same ultimately. This continent......don't fail me Jean."

"Your Majesty."

 

[Imimoya]

Dalmazio Piraino was the new representative of the Grand Duchy. A new face that represented the conservative part of the country.
The man, before sitting down in the assigned place, went to get the transcripts that had been written.

 

[Justosia]

Blount eyed Piraino. Praying to God this new Duchy representative more aligned with his rightist & Nationalist views....

 

[Justosia]

Blount was becoming bored, curious. What was the delay? ECONAMS was growing in prominence. He was eager to hear the opinion of the new Lars Duchy ambassador. He scrolled through his texts messages briefly while his aides continued liaising between Gothehaven & Avalon....

 

[Imimoya]

"The Grand Duchy of Lars reserves the right to intervene with sanctions, evaluating case by case.
Currently there are no cases requiring the implementation of sanctions by the Grand Duchy."
It was the government press release that Dalmazia read before returning to sit down.

 

[Justosia]

His Excellency received a priority encrypted text from the palace. He rose.

"Noble delegates of this body, esteemed colleagues. I rise with grave news of and deserving of consequence. I have just received official confirmation from my sovereign and defence ministry that the territorial and sovereignty nationale of Justosia have been virtually violated by two spy submarines. They have come within roughly ten miles of our maritime borders we believe. We are currently awaiting for positive identification on the invaders. I am receiving word, right now, from our intelligence ministry, of a seventy five percent probability that the culprit is the 'republic' of Auraria.

My friends THIS is why I proposed Article One. Please understand that we look to you now for support."

Blount composed himself, fixed his tie, & sat down feeling very vindicated.

 

[Justosia]

Blount surveyed the room. He had just received his JNN personal update. This meant it was now breaking, the confirmation for his colleagues.