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Furlanìe

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A low profile meeting was necessary to avoid the information to spread before anything was concluded, the past tensions between the Fàlthaikshadom and the Republic of Fleur, erupted in a small conflict for the oil extraction sites in the 50s, were never really put aside.
Those events and the past history of injustice and exploitation of the Compagnie Pétrolière Fleuroise-Shaeoiumlen have slowly made the Republic seem something like a natural enemy to the public.

The minister of finance and development, Êthrenash Sâhlji'li iki kî, sipped his herbal tea while looking out of the window of the five stars hotel room he was in, admiring the fascinating sunset of Thêrebe.
Although a political gamble, the unofficial hints coming from the Republic about acquiring Shaeoiumlan oil were economically relevant enough to attempt a meeting.

"îpaeretak âlileieth tônori" a guard said from outisde the door
"it must be the minister, let him in, please"

the door opened and the person was accompanied inside.

@Nova
 

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The 3-cars long cortege would stop in front of the car. Managed and handled by the Garde Républicaine, as any official Fleuroix escort was, fact all of those were in uniform made them easily picted in the streets as Fleuroix. A Garde would open the door, and allow Richard to move out. He’d take a glance at the surrounding area, it was his first time in this far-away nation. He had landed this morning, the occasion for having lunch at the Legation in order to exchange with the Légat for getting a briefing on the local news as he prepared himself for the important matter when he made his meeting back in Nouvelle-Ville with the M.A.M.S. and M.A.É.S., as oil barrel was, and always will be, of national security given how much the military needed it, and economy wouldn’t work without it.

Escorted by two Gardes Républicains inside, as well as an attaché, as Richard would carry himself his pod, and get escorted inside. A meeting in a hotel, this seems weird, as Shaeoiumlan did not wanted to give official honours maybe, or keep this as discreet as possible. Finally, it seems to be the final door, the guard would say something, and get replied. He’d therefore allow Richard to come in with his attaché, « You can remain here » he’d say to the two Gardes Républicains.

« Mister the Minister of Finance and Development, thank you for receiving me » would state in French Richard, as he shall extend his hand for a handshake, while his attaché was translating in Shaeoiumlan what Richard just have stated.
 

Furlanìe

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Êthrenash looked down on Richard before reaching for his hand "I hope the voyage wasn't too uncomfortable" he said, he sipped some tea "let's sit down" he said, pointing at three armchairs in the room nearby, as the guard left and closed the door behind him.
"I know you are interested in purchasing oil from Shaeoiumlah, this might be a bit of a complex matter considering our past. there's a reason this meeting was so informal: I just wanted to save you from a shower of thrown eggs..." the minister explained while pouring some tea to the guests.
 

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Richard would sit in the armchair fronting Êthrenash, as the attaché, in charge of the translation would take the one in-between, having the best placement and view to the coming dialogue. At Êthrenash’s quote, for a shower of eggs, Richard couldn’t prevent himself from saluting the irony, as he sketch a smile. « As you are aware, the Republic holds in high esteem Shaeoiumlah and its people » he’d start, letting a few seconds between each of his sentence so that the attaché may correctly and appropriately translate. « And we have, due to the past, had several exchanges. Today those exchanges are concretising themselves through an important petroleum production which your nation maintains, and that is bought. However we know how the markets can be, unstable, and show themselves rather puerile in an instant. Therefore, to bring stability, we would like to seal, with your nation, an official partnership, acknowledging our great needs for this natural ressource which like any developed society, is associated with national security matters. We are not asking to take part into the company exploiting the resource » he’d first start explaining, that was a big difference and a great victory for those willing to act against the former colonisers in Shaeoiumlah, but Richard knew that it would get little coverage back home, and if he could get the chestnuts out of the fire well, he’d be proved successful back home. « We would just be a priority number one buyer in case of production reduction or other events, along being ensured of stable prices and a physical safety of the installations. This would allow your national company to have a loyal client, have no charges for importations to Fleur and get the full benefits out of this transaction. And naturally be open for international subsidies program » developed Richard. He knew it was a fair deal, but wondered if they’d, out of national proud, be reluctant. In this, Richard wanted to multiples benefits from a potential agreement, as he’d propose cultural programs with the opening of schools for instance, or hospitals. Other sectors such as defense could well be involved, even if energy remained the number one factor in this meeting, he’d first await the Minister’s reaction. Richard would give a sign of his head, for his attaché to transmit to the Minister a tablet on which they may .
 

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"an esteem we might not be able to fully reciprocate" Êthrenash commented as the translation was made.
The minister took back his cup of tea and set comfortably while waiting for his counterpart to speak in that language he found strangely irritating "your idea is interesting" he sipped some more tea and took some time to think; such an agreement would have forced the Fàlthaikshadom to neglect other contracts in favour of the Fleurians, something he didn't quite like, but the government guidelines for this meeting were clear: if there's money for FALEK, you agree, and apparently there was money aplenty.
Êthrenash took the tablet "I see French is on top, do you think we could..." he switched the position of the lines, moving the Tâiath name on top "that's more acceptable, I think we can make something good this evening, but we need to remember that politics is involved, and politics likes symbolism" he moved the tablet further away to be able to see it better, he never liked using glasses, they made him look too much like his cousin, the chairman of the FALEK group.
"have you created similar agreements with other oil producing countries?" he asked, while giving the tablet back to Richard.
 
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Nova

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« Oh, naturally » would say Richard, as to allow Êthrenash’s request to see the Shaeoiumlan text be first, it was a minor concession with no real relevancy, as it would be on the Shaeoiumlan version of the text, while the French text kept its original form. After all, if it could please and put at a better ease his host ego’s, and national pride, everything was good.

« You can keep the tablet » for the duration of the meeting, as we’ll be working on it, meant Richard, as he had his own. « If we are to, validate this Treaty, then no, we shall have no similar agreement with any other country » declared Richard, as Shaeoiumlah was the first option, and most stable of the largest petroleum producing nations. If it failed, obviously Richard would look for another path, but given the history between the two, it was a good path, if validated by the Shaeoiumlan. « To ensure our potential friendship, the Republic would be more then keen to propose help, by the opening of a local school in Thêrebe » that would be aligned with Fleuroix education, something they wanted to propose more and more, with as main objective to create local communities on which cultural events may be organised with the Embassy’s cooperation. A budget was dedicated to such, and Richard was eager to use it, and as maybe propose discounted planes or infrastructure projects, as it was after all allowing the country of Fleur to increase its production, while giving subsidies.
 

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"just us? that's interesting" commented the minister; by being the main supplier of oil to the Fleurian Republic, the Fàlthaikshadom would have gained a power, that if used well, could mean soft persuasion over the Republic, a stronger position for future trade deals, and maybe an ally, if the government managed to sell this endeavour to the public as a triumph over the Fleurians.
Êthrenash kept listening, but the proposal of creating a school in Thêrebe made him suspicious: where they trying to get a foothold to undermine the government? would that school become a safe space for Fleurian spies? or an indoctrination machine to get the capital's youth against the Fàlthaiksha? "you're very kind, that is an interesting proposal, but I'm not sure that a Fleurian-run school would be accepted by my Prime Minister... maybe a more impersonal support like a subsidy to a Sâh'li university would work better, it would show our people you have good intentions, and maybe... in the fullness of time... this could evolve in something more" he sipped from the cup, finishing the remaining herbal tea.
 

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Sending subsidies not knowing how they would be spent, worried Richard. The positive aspect of a Fleuroix school, managed by Fleuroix, was the security in terms of education standards it provided, as it’d be up and match with any school back in the Republic. « Maybe we could keep that for later then » said with a smile Richard, as after all it was just a waste of money for the Republic, but would just be buying a reputation of good people to the wide public by educating for free young Shaeoiumlan, as after all, Fleuroix still had a bad reputation there and he certainly knew it.

« Another possibility would be to allow, in our Treaty, to allow Vinci, a Société d’État specialised in infrastructure, to built an extension of one of your current harbour, that shall specialise in raw oil exportation » proposed Richard, as this would mean a counter-offer as, in exchange of the invested funds, or the Fleuroix would get a % of share of the harbour’s company, or could get a partnership for future infrastructural projects in Shaeoiumlah. Richard was keen to seek other ties, to arrange between both nations, reason being that he feared the Treaty would blow up if Shaeoiumlan-Fleuroix relationship wasn’t strengthen.
 

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Fleur getting shares of a Sâh'li harbour, that is not going to happen, he thought to himself "well if you are willing to help us expand our shipyards, Fleur could be granted some projects along the southern coast. The government is working on improving our navy and naval industry, but it is a long-term project, nothing immediate. if this would be interesting enough for you, and you were to offer an attractive price at least for this first cooperation... we could start working on that oil-focused harbour. the main harbour used by the FALEK group is in Iûktheil, we could work on that, and I'm sure the group would be very grateful" he concluded "we also need to talk about the route to reach your nation, how will the oil be delivered to your country?"
 

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This would be better then nothing thought Richard, as the possibility of participating to those contracts would be at least something. « We would be eager, through our assets, to participate in those projects » replied Richard, as even if Shaeoiumlah remained between two vast nations, respectively the Kadikistani Union and Xinhai, its behaviour on the international stage, and particularly when coming to negotiations showed a fierce nationalism, ready to fight foreign influence at any cost, making it probably the best choice for securing Fleuroix petroleum interests and supplies for the long-term, as wind wouldn’t change the direction of such large nation.

« We may first do something such » proposed Richard on the electronic tablet, to put a step forward. He’d certainly give help to the contract, knowing also fully well that the Shae were granting themselves just joy of this, as Richard knew perfectly they had the mean to accomplish whatever they wanted with their natural resources revenues, even more since they put away the foreign private companies. Something he didn’t had much joy about, just by thinking about it, but the World was as it is, and insurance from Shaeoiumlah was needed to keep a thriving economy, and it was what he intend to do. The treaty was certainly still short enough to add many other things, but as Sâhlji'li iki kî was reluctant already for the Fleuroix school, Richard did not know what to propose more.
 

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"please note that Shaeoiumlah haven't signed the 'Rochetaillée Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations', and we are not planning to do so in the near future" said Êthrenash, while looking at his tablet "we prefer well constructed bilateral agreements over messy international treaties..." he looked at Richard "so if you need reassurances on a particular topic... we can discuss it here. now excuse me for a second, I need to have a word with a colleague" the minister stood up, showing the best smile he could offer to reassure the Fleurian before leaving, while his translator proceeded to explain.

Êthrenash moved to another room, and closed the door behind him.

The peculiar docility of his counterpart left him quite unprepared as he was expecting a much more tough confrontation; he took his mobile phone and started a call "Here is Minister Êthrenash Sâhlji'li iki kî, I need to talk to the Minister of defence, Îthro Sâhlji'li iki Êtuth, please..."

Êthrenash came back to the meeting room after few minutes "I see you haven't drunk any tea yet, I wouldn't poison you... not now" he laughed "so we should fix that problem I explained earlier, but I have more good news for us: the ministry of defence is considering to purchase some defence armaments for our aircraft carriers under construction. if you were to possess any interesting technology, it could be an important step towards mutual trust... if everything works"
 

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« Be certain I understand Monsieur le Ministre how you can be reluctant on such. However, this Treaty precise the usage of the said Convention in the only case of our bilateral relations, and as rules for those. A break of those shall be a break of our relations. It is mainly to ensure safety of diplomats and basic civilities to be enforced » reassured Richard, which was surely true. The Republic wouldn’t engage any diplomatic representation on a soil without this Convention being enforced for its delegates, and Richard would hope the Shaeoiumlan would agree to such rules for the relationships with the Republic.

« Feel free » said with a grateful smile Richard, as he surely wasn’t that optimistic, quite not knowing where he was in after all. He’d have to wait… As he would review the papers transmitted and the Treaty on the tablet, he’d hesitate to take his phone and check his latest notifications from the mobil device he had from the State, but wouldn’t, he had to remain sort of serious after all.

After a couple minutes, finally his host would come back, as he would have passed most time looking through the window to try to catch a glimpse at the face of the city he was in. « I am not a tea-person » he’d clarify as to why he haven’t touched his tea cup, even if he surely had tasted it just for remaining polite and as social conventions called. « Good » he’d second as to the Minister Êthrenash resolving the previously mentioned issue. As to the quote of defense systems and general armement, for aircraft, Richard would show himself more then eager, « This surely can be arranged. We can provide long-range anti-air defense systems which surely can be adapted on a ship, alongside close-combat defense systems » said Richard, as those two phrases including missiles and advanced technologies, along the necessity of radar and stealth technology that the Fleuroix may provide too, as after all, what’s a ship if not just a bigger moving tank?
 

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"I see your point, the council of international affairs will review the rochetaillée convention and discuss with your equivalent ministry any necessary modification, that's not my job... regarding the defence systems the navy is considering the possibility of adding an additional platform at starboard of the carriers to install other anti-air missiles, what we need is a smaller and lighter, but still reliable, alternative to the eiffellandian , if you can provide us with such a technology, and adapt it to the carriers systems once completed, we would have a deal. we would also buy from you those missiles every time our reserves will need to be filled up.
What we still need to figure out is the exact amount of oil your nation will need, do you know the amount already or should we add it to the treaty at a later stage? and also... the hardest part: the actual money; you ask for stable prices, what is your government idea of 'stable prices'?"
 

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« A clarification over the Convention seems needed, it is the one which shall define the rules of our nation’s relations, therefore it can have an impact on our current talks, as the Republic deny any Treaty or relations if those are not placed under the fair rules of this Convention » clarified Richard, as it was a key point, that he won’t put aside. After all, this Convention ensured for instance that Diplomatic Personnel can’t be arrested by another’s nation police, just expelled, which might be useful particularly in Shaeoiumlah where Fleuroix are discriminated by the local population. « An agreement over the defense systems can be put in the Annexe II » suggested Richard, as he putted so in the Treaty, while not specifying the details, as it’d be the engineers deciding so in accordance with the Shaeoiumlan’s needs and specifications which two politicians in a room were unfit to fulfil.

« I believe we can both agree to say that oil barrel price is unsure, the same as its price in the future. Therefore simple rules are put in Article II to define the basics of monthly talks over such discussion » explained Richard, which was the most realistic way. « Those rules would ensure a stable price in our opinion » he reassured his host, as after all if the World’s demand made the barrel’s price rise, it’d still need to rise in this Treaty, simple realism. « As for the number of barrels, is your demand for us to engage ourselves on a certain number? » asked to clarify Richard, not fully understanding the demand over the amount of oil needed.
 

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"as I said" Êthrenash responded, with a slight annoyed tone "the council of international affairs will review the rochetaillée convention and discuss with your equivalent ministry any necessary modifications. if you're not willing to even consider the possibility of a change, there's not much I can do here: the Fàlthaikshadom won't sign such a treaty without an appropriate bilateral discussion.
Regarding the last topic, yes, we should agree on some sort of guideline: a minimum number of barrels or a maximum, FALEK can't provide you an ever-changing quantity of oil, they wouldn't be able to organize other exports. of course the bar we set here can be modified in the future if the average amount of oil needed by your economy and military changes over time. if you do not posses enough data to set a precise number, we can conclude the meeting and add that number when you know it; the treaty will then be voted by the Chamber and signed by our governments" concluded with a seemingly reassuring smile.

ooc.: I'm not asking for a second meeting about the rochetaillée convention, if you agree it will just be reviewed by my and your guys and given a new name or something
 
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