Summit of Lars [Attn: Serenniere, Eiffelland and Fleur]

[Imimoya]

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[/div] The Grand Duchy of Lars, for the first time in its modern history, would host an international summit. The venue for this extraordinary event would be the Palazzo della Signora, a Baroque-style Larsian building located in the capital Lars a few hundred meters from the Grand-Ducal Residence.

The summit was in contrast with the political line of interference of the current conservative government. The Prime Minister was only interested in developing commercial agreements, avoiding the tensions between states as much as possible, which he said were ruining business. But the problem was at the gates of the Grand Duchy, and involved it, so it could not be ignored or dismissed with the usual political talk.

At the summit all the countries interested in the question were invited as the Republic of Serenniere, the Kingdom of Eiffelland and a special observer, the Republic of Fleur. The latter country, despite having no rights over the waters subject to the dispute, was invited by Lars.

To welcome the international guests there would have been Lars' Prime Minister, Xeno Marino himself.

 

[Serenierre]

Elisabeth Martinique, as she stepped off the plane, with Bernard Lavosnier only a few steps behind her, had remembered the last time the nations of the Retalian Sea had gathered to grandstand. On that occasion, the venue had been Altburg, now firmly with the Eiffellander sphere of control. She remembered well the pointless result of that conference. The only thing the Retalian and Serenien governments had managed to agree on was their fundamentally different stance on the maritime claims in the Retalian Sea.

Tensions had boiled and simmered and eventually led to the horrific war in Occitania, which saw that kingdom split in two and the Grand Duchy, at the core of the entire conflict, implode into its own hubris.

In Villesen, it had been hoped, with Bernard leading that point of view, that Trier would realise the folly in continuing to pursue the policies espoused by the fallen Grand Duchy of Retalia. The strategic picture had to change. So, it had not been particularly difficult to agree to the summit proposed by the Larsian government.

When the Serenien delegation arrived at the Pallazzo della Signora, a beautiful edifice at the face of it, Elisabeth extended her hand to her counterpart Prime Minister Marino. "Bonjorno," she said in accented Larsian, "Pleasure to meet you," she added in the common diplomatic language. "I thank you for hosting this summit. It is my hope that a lasting and peaceful solution for our beautiful Retalian Sea can be found."

 

[Nova]

For this mondaine event, Richard would make the displacement, even if as mentioned before the Republic had not a single sea access, therefore making it futile… However, as it concerned major regional partners, around the E.E.Z. which would at one point impact indirectly Fleuroix trade, given the Treaty signed with Lars, such attendance was more then needed. Plus, would always be the opportunity to make some informal side talks, along listen to Baroque Lars music, which was always a classic that no one with good taste may deny a most attentive listening to.

This time, to make good figure, he had ordered the Garde Républicaine to prepare him the Concorde, for covering up the short distance which he would have to travel. Far from being an efficient choice, as the plane would just get the possibility to rise in the sky and as soon would land, it was a mostly symbolic one. Effectively, to get attention, many nations would cover the event through television and online press, and showing the economical strength, even if very low compared to involved nations in the meeting, was key to the development of a soft-power. Plus, who knows? As Minister of Diplomacy, and Commerce, maybe a few of those supersonic civilians planes could be sold? As after all, it made a year since the new version was in production, and further orders to see it stand in the advancing time were needed.

The Republic had known bit of troubles, mostly with CBS, but now those were in the past, as an agreement would be reached and peace along the respect of Fleuroix neutrality was upon us, but it remained nothing compared to the war in Occitania.

Taking one of the Embassy’s car, which would drive him towards the Palazzo della Signora with an escort, allowing Richard to be in official city of such wonderful city which he’d be pleased to pass a couple days with his wife afterwards, with as purpose to rest, he’d enjoy the facade of the baroque building he’d be fronting. Climbing the marches as journalists would take pictures, while his wife would take his arm and kiss him, both would be in mondaine tenues. He, in a dark-blue smoking, with his Fleur d’Honneur medal-jewelry on his torso, while she in a dark-purple long-dress, giving her neck a clear space to support her pearl necklace along a silver-chrome florid hair pin holding her hairs in a elevated towards the sky hairstyle, giving her a clear visibility by anyone, and making her noticable. After passing this stage, as they finally entered, Prime Minister Marino would greet them in person. « Your Excellency, a pleasure » would express Richard, shaking hands with him, « Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Charlotte » would introduce Richard. She’d hand her hand for allowing the Prime Minister to greet her, « My pleasure » she’d commit.

 

[Rheinbund]

"Was?"
"..."
"Ok. Danke. Ich werde es ausrichten." OK. Thanks. I will notify the people.

Chancellor of Eiffelland-Retalia Roland Rheinfeld ended the call. He had landed in Lars with one of the government planes about half an hour ago. He was accompanied by the 65 year old senior diplomat Lorenz Weber. Now they were sitting in an

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from the Eiffelloretalian embassy in Lars. They were already close to the Palazzo della Signora.

Rheinfeld and Leverkühn had a problem. To be precise, they had to explain how a complete misunderstanding of the situation in the Retalian Sea could have happened. They had consulted Prime Minister Grauholzer and former Chancellor Dr. Stephan Röpke about this. Something essential had completely slipped through the minds of the people governing Eiffelland about a year ago. Not only the conference in Altburg took place in January 2018, but also the March on Trier with all its consequences. Dr. Röpke had attended the conference in Altburg on behalf of Eiffelland, and had reported that Grauholzer's attitude was interpretable in different ways. Retalia claiming sovereignty over the Retalian Sea was not explicitly said, but Grauholzer's attitude could be interpreted in such a way that Retalia would be claiming sovereignty over the Retalian Sea. And that was a claim Eiffelland considered too much and Eiffelland-Retalia was not willing to continue. But how to explain that so many people, including the man who attended the conference and became Chancellor afterwards, completely forgot about this claim?

In front of the palace, Chancellor Rheinfeld got out of the car, and waited until Minister Leverkühn was standing next to him. Then they walked the stairs together.
"Buon giorno, Primo Ministro Marino," Chancellor Rheinfeld said. "Thank you for organising this conference."

Inside the room where the representants of Serenierre, Lars, Fleur and Eiffelland-Retalia would meet, Chancellor Rheinfeld said after Prime Minister Marino had opened the summit: "There is one thing I have to announce. Our Naval Forces detected something on the sea floor of the Retalian Gate that they describe as an irregularity. They don't know what it is, but they say that it looks like a submarine. If it is a submarine, then its origin is unknown. None of the Eiffelloretalian submarines are on the location where the irregularity was detected. At this moment, it is unclear what this irregularity is."

 

[Imimoya]

The first guest to arrive was the representative for the Republic of Serenniere, Elisabeth Martinique. The journalists were intent on photographing every step of the guests, it seemed like a fashion show here for how many flashes there were.

"Good morning to you too, and welcome to Lars. His Italian is not bad, even a good accent." The Prime Minister greeted the guest respectfully, while the photographers immortalized every gesture of the two.
"Please enter the building where the interior will be shown to you while we are waiting for the remaining guests, I will join you immediately."

The second guest to arrive was the representative for the Fleur Republic, Richard and his wife Charlotte. The Republic of Fleur is the special guest requested by Lars, with the intention of underlining a growing friendship between the two nations.

"Welcome to Lars, I hope your stay is enjoyable." Marino answered, shaking Richard's hand. Now it was Charlotte's turn to intervene after being introduced by her husband."If you will allow me, she is beautiful." The prime minister saying, before doing the hand-kissing, taking care not to let the lips touch the lady hands, as the etiquette required. "Please enter and take a seat inside the building, I still have to welcome the last guest."

The last guest to arrive was the Chancellor of Eifelland-Retalia, Roland Rheinfeld. The Chancellor, like Fleur's colleague before him, arrives in a vehicle of his embassy. Normally prohibited vehicles inside the historic center, but these cars enjoyed diplomatic permits.
Prime Minister Marino welcomed the last colleague to the entrance of the building, in front of hundreds of photographers and security agents.

"Thank you for deciding to attend this extraordinary summit." Marino said as he shook hands with the chancellor. "Please, follow me, i accompany her to the room where the meeting will be held."

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The Prime Minister made his way through the baroque palace, crossing one room behind the other until he reached the right one, located at the center of the building. The room of the summit would have been that of the old senate with a rectangular plan. A baroque room, where the white was accentuated by the light that came from the huge french windows that overlook the outside. At the top of the room were the all-round sculptures of mythological deities, ready to judge the work of mortal man.

At the center of the room a round table had been set up where the various representatives gathered, while at the far end of the room there were refreshments and the area for assistants, translators and collaborators.

Eiffelland's Chancellor was the first to speak, while Lars and Flaur were the last to intervene.

 

[Rheinbund]

Chancellor Rheinfeld started to speak.

"Let it be clear that we completely understand the importance of sea access to Eastern Serenierre and Lars, and the importance of Lars's sea access to the République Fleuroise. Both the government of Retalia and the government of Eiffelland-Retalia have guaranteed that sea access. After last year's summit on the Retalian Sea, Chancellor Graf Von Seydewitz of Eiffelland made clear to Prime Minister Grauholzer that Eiffelland would not back Retalia's claim on the complete Retalian Sea, and that a part of the Retalian Sea had to become international waters. After that, the Retalian Sea was not an issue any more, so we had the impression that the situation had been settled, also because Retalia started to treat parts of the Retalian Sea as international waters. We started to do so as well. Therefore, we were highly surprised that this issue came on the table again, especially about the way it came on the table. Until recently, we didn't realise that we never officially announced that we considered parts of the Retalian Sea international waters. Herewith we do."

Rheinfeld connected his laptop to the projector. A map of the Retalian Sea appeared on the wall.

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"On this map, you see the waters surrounding the Retalian islands, as well as the waters between Continental Retalia, Lars Eastern Serenierre, the Retalian Islands and Occitania. The red line is what we consider the border of the Retalian Sea. That part of the issue is completely topographical according to us. You also see a dark blue colouring on the map. That dark blue colouring is a rough sketch of what we suggest to consider international waters. In this way, both Eastern Serenierre and Lars have direct access to international waters."

Rheinfeld took a sip of his water. Then he continued.

"We think that this results in an adequate access to the Long Sea over international waters to Eastern Serenierre and Lars. There is one thing I have to mention though: The Retalian Islands are part of Eiffelland-Retalia. At this moment, most inhabitants of those islands favour that situation above alternatives, so Eiffelland-Retalia giving up sovereignty over the Retalian Islands is not on the table."

 

[Serenierre]

Premier Martinique smiled. It took some gall to so radically alter one's position and to present a variant of someone else's proposal as one's own. She was quick to speak after Rheinfeld. "I see that Trier has essentially re-purposed the map that had been developed by my Government in the Altburg Summit. A map, which might I add, was rejected by your former ally and now constituent province, Retalia." She was mildly irked by the tone adopted by Rheinfeld.

It seemed like he was offering a great favour to the unfortunate north Retalian nations. Which, in truth, he was not. He was accepting the fair and balanced policy that Villesen had been arguing for years. "But," she continued, "I am pleased that saner minds have prevailed as a result of the collapse of the Grand Duchy of Retalia," a faint smile crossed her face. She remembered well the haughtiness and bellicosity of the Altburger regime.

"The issue of the Retalian Sea is not connected to the Retalian Islands. The Retalian Sea issue is a maritime issue, whereas, some believe that the Retalian Islands self-determination issue is a purely local political issue. Admittedly, I have some reservations about the manner in which your Government," she looked at Rheinfeld square in the eyes, "embraced the Retalian peoples, but to conflate the two issues is a very redundant point. I believe that His Excellency Prime Minister Marino has called this summit for the maritime issue, which as we all agree is on account of the unreasonable policy that Altburg had adopted and until this point, we had no inkling that Trier was open to a renegotiation of the position held by the former Grand Duchy."

"How can we be sure that you can sell this change to your legislative body? Our political systems may be different but ultimately power works the same in all systems. Not many a leader can survive ceding ground... that to a rival. How can we be sure that what you say will carry any weight?"

"Also, Chancellor Rheinfeld, I must say, the thrust of your argument so far has been that Eiffelland seems to be offering a great boon to us North Retalian sea nations. When in fact, the Retalian Sea cannot be claimed by one nation and we all have the right to send ships through it without our ships being unfairly molested by anyone. I believe that there is no point to this summit if Eiffelland categorically agrees that the Retalian Sea is the common heritage of all the peoples which surround it. Furthermore, your government must state that Altburg's position was wrong and illegal. And lastly, a recognition of the fishing rights of northern Retalian sea nation-states, which were hampered by the aggressive stance of the Grand Duchy. All of the conditions I have put are reasonable and important not just for Serenierre but for Lars and by extension Fleur, as well."

"Lastly, Prime Minister Marino, while there are still many discussions needed at this juncture, I seek a affirmation from you that we shall endeavor to strike a Covenant for the Retalian Sea as a result of this conference. Anything less would be a slap in the face of your kind hospitality," she darted a look at the Eiffellander chancellor.

 

[Imimoya]

"Dear Martinique, thank you for your valuable intervention." The Prime Minister Marino replied. "However, I would like to remind you that the summit is on the question of international waters in the Sea of Retalia. The Grand Duchy of Lars applies a policy of twelve nautical miles for territorial waters and two hundred nautical miles to the exclusive economic zone. Obviously these distances are extended until there are waters claimed by other countries."

There was a small pause on the part of Marino to give the stenographers time to write the speech.

"I am not saying that the system adopted by my country is the right one to come to grips with the problem of the Republic of Serenniere and the Kingdom of Eiffilland-Retalia, i'm just suggesting that you leave the problems like the issue of the Retalia Islands out of this table."

"I also feel compelled to report that Lars' naval units do not report problems of any sort during their navigation in the retalia sea. It would be a good step to find out why the naval units of Serenniere are the only ones to suffer from this problem."

 

[Serenierre]

"Perhaps," Elisabeth smiled at Marino, "you could refresh your memory. Chancellor Rheinfeld is the one who conflated the issue. Not me. If you heard my statement from a few moments ago," she stayed patient, her tone calm, "The issue here is a fundamental one, which I reckon you have not properly explored due to your nation's fairly recent entry into international politics."

"But, for your benefit," her eyes were focused plainly at the Larsian prime minister. "The issue is not that my ships are being harassed. It is my fishing community from Ardeche which has been adversely affected by the claims over a majority of the sea from the former grand duchy. Personally, I am unconvinced that Chancellor Rheinfeld will be able to convince the Retalian political base that this proposal of his is workable. Prime Minister Marino, I have been premier of my country for 11 years now, and I can tell you, promises and proposals are in no short supply from Trier. But following up is another matter."

She paused for a moment, but suddenly remembered: "Oh, and by the way, the question here is not 'if' ships are being harassed. The question here is; is there any possibility of harassment. Under the current system, Eiffelland or whatever name it is going by these days, is in such a position to adversely and unilaterally control the maritime routes in the Retalian sea. It is irrelevant whether or not they actually do it. The concern is that they could possibly do it. And the only thing, Prime Minister Marino, we have to comfort ourselves are... mere words. Promises from them," she gestured towards Rheinfeld, "of trusting them. Well, esteemed mesdames et messieurs, there is an old Serenien proverb... the trustworthy never need to beseech others to trust them."

The room was painfully quiet. Elisabeth switched off her microphone and leaned back. She would not be talked down to by Marino. Did he not realise he was talking to the leader of the premier power in Gallia?

 

[Imimoya]

The prime minister of lars was distracted by the history of the submarine cited by the Chancellor. "Excuse me, I must have distracted myself, my fault. I hope it is not the advance of my old age." The prime minister replied with a slight smile. "The issue of fisheries can be discussed, fishing areas can be demarcated. The Kingdom of Eiffilland-Retalia is a new political entity, which has inherited the problems of the previous Grand-Duchy of Retalia, but I am confident that the time is ripe to reach an agreement that can suit all the parties involved."

Marino could not understand the true intent of his interlucutor. Martinique used a calm tone but did not give up to belittle with words the political figure of Chancellor Rheinfeld. "This summit can only judge, I correct myself, can express itself on the actions of individual nations while it can not prevent the intentions of the latter, as in a civil court. As a court can not condemn a person for a crime that has not yet been committed, I can not judge a nation for something that has not yet been done."

 

[Serenierre]

"This is not a court. This is a political summit. The considerations at such venues are broader than in a court," Elisabeth retorted.

 

[Imimoya]

"Precisely because this is a summit that there is no obligation except that of the trust that weighs on the heads of nations." Marino replied in a fitting manner to Elisabeth. "I would also like to hear the Republic of Fleur's opinion on it."

 

[Rheinbund]

Of course, Mrs. Martinique must show who’s boss, Chancellor Rheinfeld thought while observing the discussion between her and Primo-Ministro Marino. And afterwards she wonders why the people in her neighbourcountries don’t like the Sereniens.

“Madame Premier-Ministre Martinique, I agree with leaving the Retalian Islands out of the discussion from now onwards. Regarding your concerns about the support for my proposal in my country, this proposal emerged from discussions with my own government, as well as with the governments of the states Helgoland, Rügen and Retalia,” Rheinfeld said. “This proposal is backed by my own government, as well as the governments of the states Helgoland, Rügen and Retalia. You hear it correctly, also by the government of the state Retalia. The step from de-facto treating the seas drawn on this map as international waters to officially considering them international waters is a small one for people handling problems rationally and pragmaticly.”

He took a sip of his water, and continued.

“Indeed, the next step is the parliaments. The Volksunion, represented in the parliament of the State of Eiffelland, will be against. All six other political parties in the Landestag of the State of Eiffelland will be in favour, leading to a voting result of 441 votes in favour and 59 votes against. The Landestage of Helgoland and Rügen will unanimously vote in favour. For the Landestag of Retalia, this plan is controversial within the largest fraction, the conservative Demokratische Union / Unione Democratica. We managed to convince the majority of that fraction of the necessity of this plan. The other three political parties represented in the Landestag of Retalia are already in favour. Whatever the outcome of this summit will be, Eiffelland-Retalia will publicly announce that it abandons the claim over the complete Retalian Sea, and will publicly announce what it considers to be international waters in the Retalian Sea.
Everybody in charge of Eiffelland-Retalia agrees with you that everybody has the right to send ships through the Retalian Sea, and everybody in Eiffelland-Retalia understands that it goes too far to claim the Retalian Sea as an inherited property of the people living around it, with the notion of the 12 nautical miles territorial waters mentioned by Prime-Minister Marino, and indeed an exclusive economic zone, although we think that the parts of the Retalian Sea coloured dark blue should not be part of an exclusive economic zone.
The current state government of Retalia understands that claiming the whole Retalian Sea went too far. However, I already know that I won’t get support for officially calling the claim over the complete Retalian Sea illegal. That word is too strong to describe the situation. But I doubt whether that should be a showstopper.
And for the fishers in Ardèche, I can only conclude that they voluntarily stay at home and complain about their situation, because we have never put any limits on their activities. Not before and not after the unification of Eiffelland-Retalia.”

 

[Serenierre]

All the phones in the room rang, almost it seemed, at the same time. On the Eiffel and Serenien sides. Elisabeth looked at Bernard with a quizzical expression and turned around to see what was the matter. One of her aides quickly stepped forward, "Madame, please this is an emergency, please step out for a moment."

Likewise from the corner of her eye, Elisabeth saw Chancellor Rheinfeld also consulting his team.

"Oh, good lord, what has happened?" she asked with a sigh.

"Madame, a Serenien cargo vessel has been compromised by an unknown submarine in Eiffellander waters and Eiffellander marines have boarded the vessel. There are also pirates who were attempting to take the ship."

"What?" she tried to process the strange situation.

She turned around and switched on her microphone. "An emergency matter has come up. Kindly adjourn the meeting for half an hour Prime Minister Marino, so that I can handle the issue."

 

[Rheinbund]

"Verdammte Scheisse!!!" Chancellor Rheinfeld could not prevent the swear from leaving his mouth. "One moment."

He closed the connection, and then said to Prime-Minister Marino: "I'm awfully sorry, Prime-Minister, but also I have to leave the meeting for an emergency for half an hour."

Outside the meeting room, the he contacted the Navy: "Make sure that you find that submarine, so that we can make clear that it was not us. Also make sure that the crew of the Hyacinthe is treated like guests in a five-star hotel, and make sure that they get the best medical care possible if needed. Finally, make sure that, as soon as the crew of the Hyacinthe is able to travel, there is a plane available that will send them to Serenierre. Either a Serenien plane or an Eiffelloretalian charter."

 

[Imimoya]

Marino suspended the session for half an hour as requested by both participants. It took a few minutes before Marino's assistants received calls, thanks to the international media and the communication from the Real Coast Guard, the prime minister was informed of the incident in the sea of Retalia.

"Of course the day does everything to go wrong," thought the prime minister before returning to speak with his assistants on the case.

 

[Nova]

This mess… That’s what Richard thought, with the Retalian sea being so tense. The lack of an international treaty putting on the same pages all nations, or at least for a start, the Gallian nations, was preoccupying. Multilateralism had, for such basic and fundamental things, clearly a place, and was more then needed if we hoped to not found ourselves in another war, at least, for them to find themselves in another war. War was out of the agenda for Fleur, and if any, it’d prove costly as the porcupine it was would defend well.

Why did Eiffelland-Retalia wanted so badly those waters to be international ones? This remained unclear in Richard’s mind. He’d enjoy of the break to just move out from his seat and join his wife which had been waiting in an annexe room, glass of gin at her hand. « Would you provide me one? » gently asked Jérôme. « With pleasure my Gentleman » said Charlotte, as she’d stand up, size the bottle she’s been trusted with by the servers, and pour a glass for her husband. « How things been going? » she asked, « Well… » tried to star Jérôme, as he’d take a first large sip of his glass, « Damn needed that » he’d put aside his glass for a moment, watching at the dress of his drink, and enjoying the colour, « It’s as if we had a Monarchist on our Council, and fronting him a Radical » he said joking and laughing. « That bad? » replied Charlotte, amused, « Yes… Those are some nice sessions to give work to therapists… For many years » he’d sip against his gin. « It’s the break for now, want to come? » he asked her, « Sure, I’m taking my friend with me » she’d say as she took the gin bottle with her.

Coming back to the main room, where it seems the three other parties were concerned, Jérôme, thinking, would just turn to his wife, « Don’t end the bottle and don’t let it end you erhm? » he said with a not much convinced tone. « What’s happening? » asked Charlotte, as she saw many preoccupied people in the room, « Ah, nothing much, just some… Sea-nation things. If you want to exactly know, you can read the report I’ve already been sent » clarified Jérôme, as he handed over his phone to Charlotte for allowing her to read the detailed report and evaluation of the ongoing crisis assessed by the M.A.D.C. which remained close to any actions which might impact from one way or another the Republic’s neutrality. « We’ve seen worst, but the strangest is that it’s going during the Summit. Most likely mercenaries doing that honestly, simple pirates couldn’t afford such operation, for so little result. Plus if money was really the key, attacks in harbours would have been more suitable » quickly convinced himself Jérôme. « We’ll just see, once we come back around the table, how this will pushes them to hit on one another, if the distraction succeeded or not » he said, as he’d finally end his gin glass. « Too bad, as it’s relatively easy to solve the legal case in my opinion, as it seems like for once Eiffelland-Retalia wanted so badly to make advances, and Sérénierre was a bit open, even if remaining sure of their very own high-esteem, but well, it’s just a natural cultural thing ». « Honestly, you should ask the Republican Guards to accompany you in the city so that you can enjoy of the sun, and opened stores, it’s probably going to be long » concluded Jérôme, « In a dress? » said scandalised Charlotte, « Maybe, given that we’re in Lars, you should try some of their local clothing, I’ll give you my dressing budget » said Jérôme, to allow her to enjoy the time being while they’d enjoy a lovely week-end together here as holidays right after the Summit. « Je t’aime » she’d said, as they kissed. She’d turn her back and put the gin bottle on the table, before heading towards the exit with two Republican Guards escorting her for the shopping part.

*Precision: In Fleur, as an official, you have a budget which is gave to you so that you can pay for dressing yourself, as you’re a representative.