A Gathering

[Batavië]

The conference of specially invited governments was indeed taking place in Vlaanderen, despite the security concerns. While technically the building was within the city limits, it lay in a secure park, complete with a riverside bank, trees, open grass and an underground car-park beneath the building. The former headquarters of the National Police, which had since relocated to a a more southern location in the city, this glass tower would suit the group nicely. The delegations had each been provided with private suites overlooking the Oude Roer River and the park. The city skyline of the capital, south from the building, was also visible.

Leopold Groning had been personally appointed by Prime Minister Alex de Jonghe to head this conference, a conference of great importance for the new Batavian government. With the delegations from Arendaal, Éireann, Telora and the Suionians hopefully arriving shortly, Leopold spoke into his microphone and addressed the group in French, a nice neutral language that most of these distinguished diplomats would understand and if they didn't, a host of interpreters was at the ready.

'Greetings esteemed colleagues and friends. We are gathered here today to discuss something, which until the change in Batavië, was not possible, a cooperative organisation for the Scandinavian and Northern region of Europe.' He sipped from his crystal glass of water and continued.

'My government, the entire country, is entering unfamiliar waters. A free market economy, democracy, never before seen diplomatic cooperation and the freedom of travel for our people. We require guidance, but we also have offerings. A new market for both exporting to and importing from. Vast oil and natural gas reserves. Minerals, an educated populace and an active political voice. We seek the establishment of a Council. This council would be called the Northern Council. There are key main objectives of this Northern Council:

A Customs Union
Trade Union
Passport Union
Education Union
Intelligence and Police Cooperation
Mutual Diplomatic Support

'All very bold, but nothing that cannot be collectively achieved. This will benefit our people, our economies and our governance. I would like to open the floor to those wishing to express their own ideas or concerns and comments.'

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

The Suionian diplomatic corps certainly didn't hope that all of it was planned. Some, sure... but all? That would be nearly impossible. Even still, the delegation kept quiet and waited to see what the reactions around the room would be. They wanted to speak last, or near last...

 

[Telora]

Deputy Secretary of State Abraham Barkley was an ancient man, who had been in the State Department since the founding of the Council of Nations. He had been on countless overseas missions, countless delegations to conferences, summits and meetings, and felt himself ready for most anything. He tapped his pen on the table little, then, in his dry, croaky voice, spoke up over the silence.

"The Federal Republic was most pleased to be invited here, thank you. The proposals you list are quite ambitious, I have to say, but there is no point setting down to talk if you cannot have something to aim for.

Telora is amenable to a number of suggestions. As one of the leading exporters of manufactured goods in Europe, a free trade area would bring obvious benefits to us. However, we would stress that it will benefits to your countries - lowering the price of many goods, bringing them within the reach of poorer consumers, as well as reducing inflationary pressures and making markets more competitive. In turn, our domestic market will be open to you, with considerable consuming potential for high-tech goods, as well as raw materials, agricultural produce and so on.

Binding any such removal of barriers together with other steps would be beneficial in the long run, though technically complex. A passport union is a very radical step for the government to consider at the moment, but we are convinced that a mutual relaxation of visa requirements and entry restrictions between the states assembled here, in tandem with a trade deal, would greatly facilitate the growing trade between our countries." He paused, fiddling with his pencil a little, then continued.

"We are unsure of exactly what is being strived at when an 'education' union is discussed, though I can assure you that the President, who was elected as the 'Education President', will be happy to back any proposals for educational ties between our countries.

Finally, on the police and intelligence sharing, Telora's intelligence community have asked me to stress that we are open to having a joint signals intelligence base cited in Telora, and to share the information gathered from there freely within the alliance. We may have a stumbling block in the form of laws passed in Telora in the 1960s regarding the handing of suspects over to foreign governments, but I am sure we can get around them."

 

[Arendaal]

The Aren Foreign Minister, Ludvig Håkonsen, nodded as he listened to the Teloran Secretary of State’s speech. Once Berkely had finished, Håkonsen thanked his delegation’s hosts and spoke:

“The Aren Kingdom finds itself in much the same position as our esteemed Teloran counterparts. We would welcome a free trade area in Northern Europe: Arendaal is keen to expand trade ties with her neighbours, and we are eager to see Batavie receive the necessary investment and trade ties to help it prosper financially. I cannot stress enough the unwavering support Arendaal has for the newly established Batavian state, support which we have always aspired to extend to its people. For this reason, we too would support the establishment of a Northern Council.

However, as much as Arendaal supports such a measure, I must hasten to say that the creation of a passport or education union, for instance, will not be achievable goals for many years. As His Excellency Secretary Barkley has already suggested, a relaxation of visa requirements and entry restrictions seems the best course of action for present.

My government has also instructed me to voice Arendaal’s strong support for cooperation between the Aren Police and Intelligence services and parallel services in neighbouring states. Similarly, Aren diplomatic support will be extended unwaveringly to members of the Northern Council.”

 

[Éireann]

Foreign Minister Angus O'Donell stands to address the attendees after the Aren minister finishes.

"The Kingdom of Eireann is also thankful for the invitaion to attend this conference and is supportive of the creation of a Northern Council. I am at liberty to say that His Majesty's government is impressed with the ambitiousness of the stated objectives and I myself look forward to discussing them in detail."

 

[Batavië]

Leopold was relatively pleased with the responses so far. He felt it necessary to elaborate on some of what was listed.

'Thank you for your opening comments, esteemed colleagues. Please allow me to expand on the education union. This idea would make post-secondary education easier to transfer between our countries. It could, for example, standardise the application procedures, allow Northern Council citizens to obtain undergraduate and graduate degrees in any Northern Council member state. Batavië does not allow tuition for universities and we would allow any Northern Council citizen that right as well. The idea would make it easier to share our universities and make the degrees transferable to other Council members.'

'As for the passport union, we envision it beginning with relaxed visa requirements or the waiver of visas. Batavië intends to remove visa requirements for the most trusted government soon. Eventually we would want this to expand to a passport union, making travel between the countries fast, inexpensive and hassle-free.'

'This Council would be here for the long run. Many things could be implemented at once. Some things implemented over a longer period of time and still some others may take even a bit more time. I am confident, however, that the ideas listed, and many others still to come, will be achievable and extremely beneficial to all countries and people.'

Leopold, having clarified a little, continued.

'Now, having said that. I would like to know if any delegation here have other ideas or suggestions?'

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

Suionia was one of the more advanced nations and faced perhaps most the lose from a lot of the agreements. The customs union could be argued to some degree. Trade union could be argued for as well. The Passport Union would be unacceptable. The Education Union would also be unacceptable. Yet intelligence and police support could be brought forth and diplomatic support could be offered in a few manners as well. After some brief discussion, an unknown man offered his opinion. "Well, I'm afraid at the moment we can only subscribe to the the sharing of intelligence and police functions. Additionally, we can offer our diplomatic support in most situations. Much more than that can be difficult considering the current status of Batavië."

 

[Batavië]

'Oh, yes, I understand.' commented Leopold, clearly knowing that they didn't want to feel obligated to pour money into a post-communist state.

'I would like to reassure your delegation, however, that should they at least consider the other ideas for the future, there are no requirements for joining. What I mean to say, and let us be frank here, no one is expecting other Council members to fuel the growth and change of Batavië. We would indeed love help, but we understand that that is something we must strive for through hard work and reform. It does surprise me, though, that Suionia would not be interested in at least discussing further the customs and trade unions. That would naturally be beneficial for all members. Suionia surely has services and products to offer, as does Batavië.'

A fresh glass of water was poured by Leopold's aide. He thanked him silently and drank.

'Do tell me also what concerns you with an educational union. Is it not appealing to Suionia for their citizens to be able to study in any other prospective Council member and vice versa?'

Later, Leopold would try to at least, bilaterally, work out a visa reform with Suionia. Just something to get them on the path to a passport union, even if it was a while down the road.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

The man nodded and spoke immediately afterward. "With all due respect, Suionia would have no problem allowing for private investment to fuel the modernization of Batavië so to speak. What our concerns are is the legal standing of the new Bataafsche Republiek internationally. Our neutral nation is understandably concerned with the implications of working so closely with your nation when it fails to obtain certain prerequisites required... and what I mean by this, is that Suionia does not want to violate Security Council Resolution 2, to which several powers have promised military intervention should it be violated... in regards to the Education Union, education is free in Suionia, and our taxpayers do not wish to pay for Batavian students. There is currently an international student program where foreigners are supported by the Suionian government much like residents of Suionia. Batavians can apply for the same merit-based program."

 

[Batavië]

'Perhaps, then, a special arrangement can be made for Northern Council citizens, whereby this special programme can be extended to them, but they would have to apply just as any other?'

Leaving that subject for later, Leopold moved onwards.

'I understand your concerns over neutrality. Let us be realistic here, however. Batavië's current government is legally representing the Batavian people in the CN. Others may disagree with that, but most of those that do have clear ulterior motives. Hopefully that can at least be understood. What is the Suionian government's position on the current legitimacy of the Social Democrats government in Vlaanderen?'

Leopold, seeking a direct answer, was also hoping to hear more feedback from the other delegations.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

"The Suionian Government has yet to recognize the new Batavian Republic. Obviously we are here and therefore this is some kind of de facto relations, but at the same time we believe progress is difficult until Security Council Resolution 2 is considered fulfilled and no longer in effect. Until that is done all relations between Suionia and Batavië will be limited to a certain extent. While we're entirely open to opening trade and working towards the improvement of relations, we feel that Batavië must have Security Council Resolution 2 nullified before we can progress into bigger and better things so to speak."

 

[Telora]

Barkley spoke up quickly, before Leopold could interject.

"Indeed, any Security Council resolution will be respected by the Teloran government, even though we are not currently a member of the Council of Nations. We are willing, perfectly willing, to work with all governments here to lift that resolution and ease up the legal ground for any deal here.

On the subject of an educational union, though, the issue of cost raised by the Suionian representative is an important one. Perhaps a formal exchange system authorised by governments would be too complex at this stage - Teloran universities are independent of the state, they could engage with other independent universities in a mutual system of placements between them, and national governments can back the system to give it additional legitimacy and oversight."

 

[Batavië]

'Correct me if I am wrong, my colleagues, but the Security Council resolution that you all refer to...it only requests that states not unilaterally interfere with the security situation in the North. I do not believe that it prevents governments from recognising our government. That would be too far. Also, the Prime Minister has requested for the CN to not assist any more. The Security Council wasted months of precious time as it was.'

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

"Yet, the definition of unilateral involvement is not entirely clear. The Oikawan government has stated that it will continue to uphold SCR2 and therefore that will continue to dictate our foreign policy with the Batavian Republic. Therefore, we can agree to assist Batavië in a multilateral manner that is not intrusive in the eyes of the Council of Nations. Yet anything that might be seen as too invasive, we must decline...

"The fact of SCR2 isn't the point of these proceedings though. Please carry on, and Suionia will sign onto everything it finds acceptable."

 

[Éireann]

"Other than Batavië itself, Éireann is the most effected by the Spa situation, as the area in question is just across the Straits of Owen, just a few kilometers off our own coast, we have studied the resolution and have come to the conclusion that SCR2 only prevents nations from interferring in the actual conflict between the recognized government of Batavië and the so-called breakaway Republic of Spa, it does not prevent normal diplomatic and economic relations to be pursued and maintain with the government in Vlaanderen. Therefore, unless there is a supportable alternative interpretation of SCR2 provided, or unless we intend to violate the resolution outright, it should have little baring on the proceedings."

 

[Batavië]

Leopold gave a nod of thanks to the Éireann delegation for clarifying the business regarding the Security Council resolution.

'Now, we seem to be in general agreement that economic cooperation and light forms of integration can be agreed upon. As for education, there seem to be some ideas going around. Batavië will allow any Northern Council citizen the right to free university education. As for the idea of a passport union, we believe it would be best to start with visa overhauls. Batavië intends to remove visa requirements for Northern Council citizens and make it easier for them to obtain residency and work permits. We would hope that reciprocal measures could be adopted by other members at some point in time.'

Clearly trying to point out that the Council would be flexible and easy to adapt and change, Leopold continued his talking, hoping that the delegations would get a bit more excited about the idea in general.

'I also wanted to discuss transportation. For Northern Council members that border each other, it would be nice if we could make road, rail and air transportation easier and more efficient. Our final goal is to remove border checks, but that will take quite some time. There are smaller things that we can accomplish, however. A Nordic Council road labelling system could assign route and motorway names to maps and on road signs alongside national ones to make travel easier. Batavië also lacks up-to-date road and rail links with its two land neighbours, Arendaal and the Scotlands, which, by the way, they are going to be a tad late. Batavië intends to invest in new links in the small border area between our countries. We are also looking into high-speed rail that could link our capitals and major cities, as well as conventional rail for more regional travel and freight. Ideas or comments?'

 

[Barazi]

The Foreign Affairs Minister of The Scotlands entered the chamber where the conference on the future of Batavië was being held. Trying not to cause too much of a stir, he quietly made his way to his assigned seat among his fellow neighbouring government officials.

'I would like to begin by apologising for my being late. I've been informed that Mr. Leopold has indeed briefed you all on that and I thank him for it. Now on to business. The government of The Scotlands, for one, firmly believes that Batavië has indeed turned over a new leaf towards becoming a free-thinking democratic state. With that said, we certainly recognise the new republic of our neighbours to the northwest. Sadly, I cannot speak for the Republican government who will obviously be taking control of The Scotlands, but it is understood in Parliament that Batavië's roads and modes of transportation are in need of a massive overhaul. In our budget that is to come, a moderate percentage of funds will go to foreign investment, and I can see no greater opportunity than that to fix the current roads in Batavië as well as create new ones to link both our nations in order to rectify the, let's face it, 'sloppy' conditions separating our nations. We are willing to gradually construct roads and railways linking the northwest of The Scotlands to the southeast of Batavië and then progressively move onward from there. It's inevitable that in the near future, people will indeed be able to drive to the border in order to visit the opposing nation. We can only ask that the new government of Batavië cooperate with us on the overhaul.'

The foreign minister paused momentarily and took a sip of the ice-cold water before him.

'All this talk of borders brings up the number one issue that Scots, especially those to the north, are indeed worried about and that is border security. It is my understanding that the Republican party of The Scotlands will in fact implement strict laws when it comes to border security and illegal crossing of Batavians. As you may already know, The Scotlands have asylums for illegal aliens who have not crossed over to our nation the way they are supposed to legally. I can't make this any clearer than this: it will be enforced and they will be held there until their government takes said illegal aliens out of Scottish hands, as it should be their responsibility. When it comes to refugees, we are indeed more flexible on the subject. The Refugee Council of The Scotlands are always on stand-by ready to give those who need a second chance financial aid as well as housing until they can become registered citizens will all the basic rights that any human being truly deserves. As you may have guessed, we have had quite a surge in Batavian refugees in the last few years. Now that you understand where we are coming from, The Scotlands would like to know what Batavië is prepared to do to control the illegal crossing situation without violating any sort of human rights regulation. Thank you for your attention.'