Meridian Matters [ATTN: Justosia]

[Pelasgia]

Minister Kalantzis was one of those men whose job was ironically both a blessing and a curse; having traveled much in his youth due to his studies in Gallo-Germania and Occidentia, as well as his career as a diplomat and an intelligence officer, he had come to love his home of Pelasgia. Indeed, middle age had birthed in Kalantzis such a profound love for the familiar and the quotidian, and such a repulsion for the foreign, that traveling abroad was almost torture to him. That was not to say that an occasional trip to a foreign country could not be enjoyed, or that the sound of foreign music or the taste of strange food was not a welcome novelty. Quite the contrary! But any prolonged stay abroad gave Kalantzis headaches and a deep longing to return to his familiar patterns. Perhaps it was a worry for his beloved family of five--who could tell? At any rate, there was no man more glad than Georgios Kalantzis, Esq., that the age of online diplomacy had finally come.​

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Sitting comfortably behind a wide desk mixing neoclassical finesse with modern simplicity--"simplied neoclassical" as the Pelasgians called the trademark architectural and decorative style of their government since roughly the 1920s--Kalantzis adjusted his tie and made sure that the large portrait of Emperor Ioannes III Kantakouzenos was clearly visible behind him, flanked by a Pelasgian flag to the right and with a gilded icon of Christ Pantocrator above it.​

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"Mister Minister, the connection is secure," Kalantzis heard his trusted secretary say. He thanked her and turned to face the screen of his computer, where the face his counterpart, of the Foreign Minister of @Justosia appeared.​

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"Good morning, dear colleague," Kalantzis uttered amicably but formally. He hoped that they would soon lose the need for titles and too many formalities, which made negotiating rather cumbersome. "I hope that all is well on your end?"​

 

[Justosia]

Foreign Ministry
Government Quarter
1:10 PM Justosian Time

Foreign Minister Albares had spent much of his morning briefing dealing with the protest calling for a declaration of imperial neutrality yesterday. It of course abated. Thanks partly to his mediating. He absolutely did not want to see fellow Social Democrats gunned down just to prove they had balls. He had a quick working lunch, than onto more important matters. Pelgasia is one of the prominent imperial powers of Europe. The Meridian region as well. They were Justosia's neighbor across the pond. A big pond but still. Justosia was still a fledgling empire. Though H.I.M. had in fact done what her late husband set the groundwork for, but couldn't. Under her reign, Justosia had seized territory. Territory that's mere miles off their east coast but still. He was also hoping that the JNN International Stream had broached the news over there of the coronation of the empire's first Tiburan Catholic prince. A formality but nonetheless. Good relations with Pelgasia is strategically important.

"Connection secured minister." An aide said.

"Foreign Minister Kalantzis. I'm quite honored to be very hopefully making our region more secure via our cooperation. I believe our nations, empires, are more alike than we may realize. The well wishes are very much appreciated. Justosia is stable, prosperous, and growing. On behalf of my Sovereign, we wish the same for you, your Sovereign, and people as well."

 

[Pelasgia]

"Thank you, Minister Albares," Kalantzis replied. "Please, call me Giorgos. Dropping formalities is one of the luxuries of this form of meeting."​

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"I would like to congratulate you on your coronation of your first Tiburan Catholic prince; perhaps one day there will be room for an Orthodox one," Kalantzis changed the tone of his voice to make it clear that that last statement was in jest.​

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"Our respective Sovereigns recommended a non-aggression pact between our countries. I was wondering whether you had any specific terms in mind? I have some considerations of my own."​

 

[Justosia]

"Thank you, Giorgos. The Meridian secure, especially our respective shipping routes. Is of course a priority. As you are likely aware, recently our mainland has reunited with our ancestral eastern islands of our archipiélago. This non aggression pact will guarantee Pelgasian civilian and military vessels passage through those imperial waters. Perhaps also increased trade/tax incentives? No?"

 

[Pelasgia]

"A non-aggression pact between us would certainly make the whole region safer for shipping. Now, regarding encouraging trade in general, that is a taller task," Giorgos answered, before taking a sip of tea.

"Increased trade could be brought about through reduced import and port duties, as well as relaxation of taxes on each other's goods, as you mentioned. However, we would also recommend reducing non-tariff barriers to trade, such as red tape and some quality assurance regimes. We could also ease visa and investment restrictions to encourage travel and business between our countries. Would this satisfy you?"

 

[Justosia]

"A non aggression pact indeed makes sense. We are agreed then. Now as to your suggestions for trade. Red tape is such a burden, no? That said, these proposals will have to be run through the palace first. As my office has no jurisdiction over trade as it pertains to our economy. That falls to the Finance, Commerce (sub division of Finance), and Interior Ministries. I can tell you the palace will very likely be open to every proposal. Except reducing quality assurance protocols for trade. There is a high emphasis placed on this in our empire. We're confident Pelgasian products can pass said inspections."