Serenierre
Established Nation
Hôtel de Fillon
30km away from Villesen
Along the Lac de Vaujours, the massive lake that sat in the middle of Gallia, in one of estates once owned by a member of the erstwhile royal family, the Commissar for External Relations, Bernard Lavosnier, was hosting his counterpart from Altburg. The trip was relatively informal, as the Premier would not hosting any such function with Foreign Minister di Fratto, so Commissar Lavosnier had thought it best to schedule the meeting there.
“Monsieur di Fratto,” he said to his counterpart, as they ate lunch in one of the salons overlooking a majestic garden, their aides and translators jostling about in the background. “I do imagine your country will be joining Telora in its anti-narcotics operations.” He cut his fillet mignon. “As you know, the Long Sea is a den of all sorts of criminality. Your country, I am sure, suffers as well. My colleague at the Internal Security commissariat was telling us the other day that apparently we busted a major smuggling operation in Ardeche.” He chewed his steak and sipped his wine thereafter. “A thousand kilos of cocaine and heroin, can you imagine!”
“Oh, my esteemed colleague, we are already running operations quite actively, we’re just not making it overly public,” Ludovico di Fratto spoke after a sip of wine. “We prefer to articulate attention on other things and make it a surprise to the smugglers. But I can understand the potential irritation of your Internal Security colleagues, as our assets do not harass ships travelling to Ardeche that much, especially if they hug the Occitan coastlines. We’re more concentrated on checking those that dock or stop over in our waters to drop off merchandise.”
“Now, Monsieur Lavosnier, I believe we have a very busy agenda to discuss before I go home, hopefully, with some preliminary agreements that could then be carried through Parliament and Government. Nichtstein, or, I will confide you in confidence, soon to be renamed Retalia, will be taking a more active stance towards the intra-Gallian matters and international matters, rather than outsource all of its policy making to Trier. And in this, one of the major axis we want to have clear waters on is your People’s Republic. So that we can continue to co-exist generally peacefully and not suffer any misunderstandings.”
“There are,” di Fratto continued, “some points which I believe we will not be able to clear. I understand fully well Villesen’s reticence to acquiesce to Altburg’s views on the Retalian Sea and the Retalian Archipelago. I will provide some clarifications as required, but otherwise, I do not imagine us making much progress there. On other fronts, Monsier Lavosnier, I believe that the major area we need to concentrate on is to work out mechanisms and communications so that any misunderstandings could be clarified and cleared quickly. As, for example, Altburg views with suspicion your activity towards Vinedia on our shores of the Retalian. While I can understand Villesen will see with suspicion some Altburg activities within Gallia.”
Lavosnier looked at his counterpart. “Well, that is rather convienient for the smugglers, isn’t it? Thank goodness for them, the Occitanians do little to stop them.”
“I believe your government is still viewing us as if we exist in the dogmatic days of the 1950s. That does not indicate reality and you should change your perspective. How can our interest as a nation-state in another sovereign nation-state, in this situation, namely Vinedia, offend the sensibilities of the Altburg Government? We have, for the past many decades, put up, so to say, with the indignity of Nichsteiner or should I say Retalian partiality towards Bourgogne.”
“As a Germanic nation, it is curious that your government is so totally committed to Gallia. And you use the term, activities… I am most curious as to what exactly your activities in Gallia are.”
“My dear colleague,” Ludovico said with a grin. “I am happy we can speak openly and without any flowery tirades usually accompanying diplomatic events. You will understand that any initiatives by Serenierre in Vinedia will immediately draw the attention of us and of our allies in Trier, as Vinedia offers a convenient staging point to keep two of Burgundy’s allies busy. And given that Villesen doesn’t trust Altburg and Altburg doesn’t trust Villesen, from there on, all sorts of calculations and counter-reactions can happen.”
“As far as our status as either Germanian or Gallian is concerned… we are neither Germanian nor Gallian, my dear colleague,” Ludovico commented. “We are… Retalian, having an outreach towards both areas and regions. And, positioned as we are between the various powers, we have to navigate our way as best as we can. Partiality towards Burgundy is one aspect of such navigation as, to be honest, business with Burgundians has been good, better than with your people, this is for certain. However, and please do not repeat this to our good allies in Trier, Altburg views with much suspicion some Burgundian claims and activities and would honestly not wish to see a huge Burgundy blob on the map of Europe from the Gothic to the Varden. Just as much as Altburg does not wish to see a single Serenierre blob, you will understand. We are happy in an ocean of smaller fish and do not like sharks. So there,” Ludovico said, raising his glass of wine. “Let us drink to impartial partiality!”
“But all things aside, pray, let us move on to things more tangible. So, be honest and direct, what would Villesen like Altburg to do in the most perfect of worlds? And I shall weigh in and advise what is realistic and what is beyond even God himself to move.”
“Before I do, let me address your first point.” Lavosnier sipped his wine. The butlers arrived to carry the plates away. He waited for them to leave before continuing. As they did so, he thanked them and then began afresh. “As I was saying, if that is the case, then you shall be pleased to note that neither does Serenierre seek to rule Gallia. Our entire grouse with the neighbours to the north is that their beloved,” he said sarcastically, “Grand Duke does not disclaim his claim to the erstwhile throne of Serenierre. Neither does he claim it nor does he abandon it. It is a dreadfully coy stance.” He proceeded to explain the history of the Burgundian Grand Duke’s claim to the former throne of Serenierre.
“You see, the issue is not that we want to rule Gallia. Rather, the fear of a pan-Gallian superstate is purely Burgundian desire. We value national sovereignty as a doctrine and have always respected it. One need only look at our involvement in Borovanger’s civil war those very many years ago… instead of tyranny we brought them peace and established the bastion of neutrality that is the Confederation… and that too at a time when we could have very easily annexed that country. But we didn’t. Why, you must wonder. The answer is simple: we do not believe in empire,” he met the other man’s discerning gaze and smiled, “That is an entirely northern Gallian tendency.”
“But alas, we must get down to business. And business for us is ensuring our bilateral trade relationship increases over the next four years. Premier Martinique believes that a robust economic relationship with the peripheral nations is essential and in that we have extended overtures to all countries, not just yours, Monsieur Ludovico. And we are interested in creating opportunities for your businesses setting up subsidiaries in Serenierre, as you know, the labour force is much cheaper here than in your country and while we cannot quite compete with Xinhai in terms of low-cost manufacturing, your companies will definitely incur less shipping costs if they outsource operations here… particularly in Ardeche.”
Ludovico appreciated the realist side in the socialist sitting opposite him. Using Nichtsteiner capital to improve the economy of Serenierre’s restive provinces was a very clever way. Simple, clever, extremely logical, something Altburg could very well live with.
“I can see the rationale in this and I am sure Nichtsteiner business would appreciate. While my government will not immediately rush to back huge Nichtsteiner capital investments into Serenierre, we will not oppose it,” the Retalian said pensively. “Even if our allies might see different. We will consider it a private matter of Retalian companies to invest in Serenierre. In fact, you could stimulate the direct investments not only through subsidiaries and tax cuts within Serenierre, but through direct money inflow within Nichtstein. Set up an investment fund somewhere in Losena, drive some ventures, host some conferences. Give money to start production in Serenierre. The Pelasgians are doing it quite efficiently, I understand, and they’re as well right over the sea from us. I am sure some geographical diversification will play well into the risk management approaches of Retalian businesses.”
“Well, from my understanding that will work rather well. And I shall forward your suggestion to the relevant Commissariat.”
30km away from Villesen
Along the Lac de Vaujours, the massive lake that sat in the middle of Gallia, in one of estates once owned by a member of the erstwhile royal family, the Commissar for External Relations, Bernard Lavosnier, was hosting his counterpart from Altburg. The trip was relatively informal, as the Premier would not hosting any such function with Foreign Minister di Fratto, so Commissar Lavosnier had thought it best to schedule the meeting there.
“Monsieur di Fratto,” he said to his counterpart, as they ate lunch in one of the salons overlooking a majestic garden, their aides and translators jostling about in the background. “I do imagine your country will be joining Telora in its anti-narcotics operations.” He cut his fillet mignon. “As you know, the Long Sea is a den of all sorts of criminality. Your country, I am sure, suffers as well. My colleague at the Internal Security commissariat was telling us the other day that apparently we busted a major smuggling operation in Ardeche.” He chewed his steak and sipped his wine thereafter. “A thousand kilos of cocaine and heroin, can you imagine!”
“Oh, my esteemed colleague, we are already running operations quite actively, we’re just not making it overly public,” Ludovico di Fratto spoke after a sip of wine. “We prefer to articulate attention on other things and make it a surprise to the smugglers. But I can understand the potential irritation of your Internal Security colleagues, as our assets do not harass ships travelling to Ardeche that much, especially if they hug the Occitan coastlines. We’re more concentrated on checking those that dock or stop over in our waters to drop off merchandise.”
“Now, Monsieur Lavosnier, I believe we have a very busy agenda to discuss before I go home, hopefully, with some preliminary agreements that could then be carried through Parliament and Government. Nichtstein, or, I will confide you in confidence, soon to be renamed Retalia, will be taking a more active stance towards the intra-Gallian matters and international matters, rather than outsource all of its policy making to Trier. And in this, one of the major axis we want to have clear waters on is your People’s Republic. So that we can continue to co-exist generally peacefully and not suffer any misunderstandings.”
“There are,” di Fratto continued, “some points which I believe we will not be able to clear. I understand fully well Villesen’s reticence to acquiesce to Altburg’s views on the Retalian Sea and the Retalian Archipelago. I will provide some clarifications as required, but otherwise, I do not imagine us making much progress there. On other fronts, Monsier Lavosnier, I believe that the major area we need to concentrate on is to work out mechanisms and communications so that any misunderstandings could be clarified and cleared quickly. As, for example, Altburg views with suspicion your activity towards Vinedia on our shores of the Retalian. While I can understand Villesen will see with suspicion some Altburg activities within Gallia.”
Lavosnier looked at his counterpart. “Well, that is rather convienient for the smugglers, isn’t it? Thank goodness for them, the Occitanians do little to stop them.”
“I believe your government is still viewing us as if we exist in the dogmatic days of the 1950s. That does not indicate reality and you should change your perspective. How can our interest as a nation-state in another sovereign nation-state, in this situation, namely Vinedia, offend the sensibilities of the Altburg Government? We have, for the past many decades, put up, so to say, with the indignity of Nichsteiner or should I say Retalian partiality towards Bourgogne.”
“As a Germanic nation, it is curious that your government is so totally committed to Gallia. And you use the term, activities… I am most curious as to what exactly your activities in Gallia are.”
“My dear colleague,” Ludovico said with a grin. “I am happy we can speak openly and without any flowery tirades usually accompanying diplomatic events. You will understand that any initiatives by Serenierre in Vinedia will immediately draw the attention of us and of our allies in Trier, as Vinedia offers a convenient staging point to keep two of Burgundy’s allies busy. And given that Villesen doesn’t trust Altburg and Altburg doesn’t trust Villesen, from there on, all sorts of calculations and counter-reactions can happen.”
“As far as our status as either Germanian or Gallian is concerned… we are neither Germanian nor Gallian, my dear colleague,” Ludovico commented. “We are… Retalian, having an outreach towards both areas and regions. And, positioned as we are between the various powers, we have to navigate our way as best as we can. Partiality towards Burgundy is one aspect of such navigation as, to be honest, business with Burgundians has been good, better than with your people, this is for certain. However, and please do not repeat this to our good allies in Trier, Altburg views with much suspicion some Burgundian claims and activities and would honestly not wish to see a huge Burgundy blob on the map of Europe from the Gothic to the Varden. Just as much as Altburg does not wish to see a single Serenierre blob, you will understand. We are happy in an ocean of smaller fish and do not like sharks. So there,” Ludovico said, raising his glass of wine. “Let us drink to impartial partiality!”
“But all things aside, pray, let us move on to things more tangible. So, be honest and direct, what would Villesen like Altburg to do in the most perfect of worlds? And I shall weigh in and advise what is realistic and what is beyond even God himself to move.”
“Before I do, let me address your first point.” Lavosnier sipped his wine. The butlers arrived to carry the plates away. He waited for them to leave before continuing. As they did so, he thanked them and then began afresh. “As I was saying, if that is the case, then you shall be pleased to note that neither does Serenierre seek to rule Gallia. Our entire grouse with the neighbours to the north is that their beloved,” he said sarcastically, “Grand Duke does not disclaim his claim to the erstwhile throne of Serenierre. Neither does he claim it nor does he abandon it. It is a dreadfully coy stance.” He proceeded to explain the history of the Burgundian Grand Duke’s claim to the former throne of Serenierre.
“You see, the issue is not that we want to rule Gallia. Rather, the fear of a pan-Gallian superstate is purely Burgundian desire. We value national sovereignty as a doctrine and have always respected it. One need only look at our involvement in Borovanger’s civil war those very many years ago… instead of tyranny we brought them peace and established the bastion of neutrality that is the Confederation… and that too at a time when we could have very easily annexed that country. But we didn’t. Why, you must wonder. The answer is simple: we do not believe in empire,” he met the other man’s discerning gaze and smiled, “That is an entirely northern Gallian tendency.”
“But alas, we must get down to business. And business for us is ensuring our bilateral trade relationship increases over the next four years. Premier Martinique believes that a robust economic relationship with the peripheral nations is essential and in that we have extended overtures to all countries, not just yours, Monsieur Ludovico. And we are interested in creating opportunities for your businesses setting up subsidiaries in Serenierre, as you know, the labour force is much cheaper here than in your country and while we cannot quite compete with Xinhai in terms of low-cost manufacturing, your companies will definitely incur less shipping costs if they outsource operations here… particularly in Ardeche.”
Ludovico appreciated the realist side in the socialist sitting opposite him. Using Nichtsteiner capital to improve the economy of Serenierre’s restive provinces was a very clever way. Simple, clever, extremely logical, something Altburg could very well live with.
“I can see the rationale in this and I am sure Nichtsteiner business would appreciate. While my government will not immediately rush to back huge Nichtsteiner capital investments into Serenierre, we will not oppose it,” the Retalian said pensively. “Even if our allies might see different. We will consider it a private matter of Retalian companies to invest in Serenierre. In fact, you could stimulate the direct investments not only through subsidiaries and tax cuts within Serenierre, but through direct money inflow within Nichtstein. Set up an investment fund somewhere in Losena, drive some ventures, host some conferences. Give money to start production in Serenierre. The Pelasgians are doing it quite efficiently, I understand, and they’re as well right over the sea from us. I am sure some geographical diversification will play well into the risk management approaches of Retalian businesses.”
“Well, from my understanding that will work rather well. And I shall forward your suggestion to the relevant Commissariat.”