Götköping's Northern Council Meeting

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

Inside of the Old Götköping Stock Market, which was coincidentally across the street from the New Götköping stock market, delegations from the traditional Northern Council nations gathered. Götköping was a special city because it represented economic power in the North. Often called the Danzig of the North where stock brokers and economists gathered and oft considered where the reconstruction of Suionia really began.

Here the Northern Council would meet, perhaps permanently, as the new major body of international politics in the North. With the failure of the Council of Nations on a multitude of levels, this body might be able to accomplish much of what couldn't be done in Wiese. Invited officially was Arendaal, Batavië, the Scotlands and Telora. Here it was hoped that a more permanent future was possible so also on the table was the expansion of a few other yet to be named states. As delegations sat down it was expected a guest speaker from Batavië would comment. This was seen as special because Suionia had finally agreed to recognize the new Batavian government in full and the guest speaker if anything would hold the olive branch between the two nations.

 

[Batavië]

Foreign Minister Arjan van Vliet was the guest speaker today in Götköping. When the idea of a Northern Council was first discussed in Vlaanderen and hosted by Prime Minister De Jonghe, people knew that something would be done. With the second conference being held mere weeks after the first, Arjan van Vliet had a strong feeling that by the end of this meeting, a concrete promise would be agreed upon. Something to move forward with.

'Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow delegations.' Arjan addressed the group in Norsk, the language of Arendaal, as it was easily understood by Suionians and was a traditional language of Scandinavia. No one would understand his Dutch.

'We are gathered here just a short time after we parted in Vlaanderen. Why are we here? We all seem to know the basis of that question. We want to create a social and economical group of countries, regionally bound for the promotion of democracy, sound governance and a more fluid and connected economic system and social construction.'

He sipped from the spring water and pushed his glasses back to their right place.

'Prime Minister Alex de Jonghe of Batavië outlined his own wishes for the construction of the Northern Council. A customs union, free trade, transportation links, police and intelligence cooperation, education initiatives to encourage the exchange of students. This is only the beginning. Today, it is my hope, that we can discuss in more detail these and other new ideas. Then, before we leave this beautiful and productive city of the North, I also hope to see a draft charter for the Northern Council.'

OOC: Éireann is also invited as he was at the first conference.

 

[Barazi]

The Scottish foreign minister Malcolm MacQuarry, a serious and often described 'cold man' fixed his tie and cleared his throat following the brief silence after foreign minister Arjan van Vliet. the second meeting for a Northern Council was expected and anticipated by MacQuarry.

'Greetings my fellow delegates.' He peered round the room quickly. 'First of all, I would like to say how honoured I am to be here at this second meeting, and I regret to not have been foreign minister for the first one.' The crowd chuckled. 'I am here today to represent my country and to say that we are officially in full cooperation for the creation of a Northern Council. I realise that this hasn't been said by any Scottish official before, so allow me to confirm the suspicion. I can think of no better place to write the Charter for this, hopefully, future organisation and I am confident that we can make this work together.'

After his brief statement, the minister sat down and patiently waited for the first issue to be brought up.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

The Prime Minister of Suionia was at the conference herself and at this moment felt the time was right to bring up some points that her own country wanted to have settled among them work in the Council of Nations and National Defense. "Fellow delegations, I'd like to raise a critical point towards the eventual buildings of this council and would like to see that this council works with the Councils of Nations on an intimate basis. Furthermore Suionia would like to see a mutual defense clause added to any charter, and perhaps a Northern Defense Brigade commissioned and ready for peacekeeping and humanitarian scenarios on a worldly basis... thank you."

 

[Batavië]

Van Vliet was concerned about adding a mutual defence clause. It might make the Northern Council a target or get it involved in complicated matters.

'I see your point, Madam Prime Minister. All of these countries gathered here today are friendly towards one another and it would be only natural for us to guarantee each other's security. That being said, I would like to see the economic and social details worked out before we discuss further a defensive nature of the Council. I do intend, however, to discuss it with everyone here at this conference.'

 

[Éireann]

Foreign Minister Angus O'Donell was not comfortable with the idea that the Suionian Prime Minister's first subject to be discused is for the Northern Council was military matters before anything else.

"Madam Prime Minister, I was under the impression that the Northern Council was conceived to be a trade alliance, so I must agree with Minister Van Vliet, that maybe it would be a better idea to discuss the economic and social structure of such an alliance before we begin talking defence clauses."

 

[Barazi]

Foreign Minister MacQuarry, who had learned of the possible military alliance earlier today, agreed with foreign minister O'Donell.

"Madame Prime Minister, I must echo the sentiments viewed by my counterpart from Éireann. A military pact coming from this meeting would not be beneficial."

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

Enström nodded and cheekily replied, "Well then I doubt Suionia can commit to much else that the group here desires either. I believe this organization will be founded upon as a body in which there is a Council, and perhaps a few little agreements, but otherwise Suionia is not interested in integrating further with your nations at this time. The defense proposal is not a large one and by no means a difficult one with the simple project of only defense and a humanitarian brigade. Much as we feared, EDF priorities will dominate this Council as proven with the recent application of the Scotlands and we feel that such ambitions will derail the effectiveness of this conference."

 

[Barazi]

"I am truly sorry you feel that way. But the Scotlands' application to the EDF remains."

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

"This is understandable, and while it does not lead to our hostilities, it surely derails this process because our goals are no longer the same. Additionally we feel we cannot commit to nearly as much because we do not have interests in integrating with with EDF economic community. We value our neutrality and such an action would be devastating to it. On this note, the only subjects Suionia will discuss are possible transportation links, a reduction of trade barriers as opposed to an elimination, police and intelligence cooperation, and education initiatives. Of course the permanent status of this body will also be included."

 

[Barazi]

"And those are all the issues that I was sent here to discuss as well. Never was I briefed on a military alliance and such a decision I cannot be held accountable to make alone without the Scottish government's approval. No hostilities, just a misunderstanding really."

 

[Batavië]

'Let us move on to these non-military ideas first, then.' interjected Van Vliet calmly. If he needed to act as compromiser, so be it.

'Transportation is the lifeblood of any good economy. Currently, because Batavië sits between two of the Scandinavian countries, these links are bare. Trains and roads are first on the priority list of my government. The ideas is that with a mix of conventional rail, high-speed rail and night trains, as well as a more unified motorway system, people can travel between countries and cities with ease and affordability.'

'I would like to propose that the Suionian delegation draft a charter. That way we could see what they want and we can revise, edit and discuss from there. But I would like to emphasise that trade, transportation, police & intelligence sharing and educational exchange initiatives should take precedence over all else.'

Van Vliet turned to look at the Prime Minister of Suionia, 'Is that acceptable, Madam Prime Minister?' he smiled.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

She nodded, "Indeed it is. My staff will have one ready by the end of the night. As notably, Suionia is separated from the rest of the nations, aside from our already well-established border with Arendaal, we'd perhaps look into ferry services and airfare. Some of these clauses will be provided in the draft charter. Unfortunately after this first day though, I must take my leave and my foreign affairs minister will be handling our representation afterward."

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

"We've prepared a potential logo, which is now being passed around to the various delegations. We hope that this could be accepted. We believe the blue and green color scheme applies to the nautical traditions of our culture and the role nature and the forest has in our countries. A charter should be prepared soon."

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[Arendaal]

The arrival of Arendaal's Foreign Minister Ludvig Håkonsen had been delayed due to a prior engagement. Once he tended his apologies to the assembled delegates, he continued:

'We commend the logo proposed by our esteemed Suionia colleagues and give it our wholehearted approval. In addition to supporting greater transportation ties within Northern Europe more generally, the Aren government wishes to suggest the establishment of a high speed rail link between the Aren port-city of Leuven and the Batavian capital. As Leuven borders Batavië, and as it is connected to the Aren capital and commercial centres by high speed trains and motorways, we believe this venture would be extremely advantageous for both ourselves and for our south-western neighbours.'

ooc: apologies for being late

 

[Éireann]

O'Donell looks over the image of the proposed logo for the Northern Council.

"The logo is quite acceptable and will approve of it. My compliments to the designer. As to the transportaion issue, Éireann is one large island with several smaller ones, so it is unlikely my input to any discussion of land transportation service to and from the Kingdom would be limited, but ferry and air service is something that I can discuss, especially both high-speed and high-capacity ferry service between Éireann and both Arendaal and Batavië."

 

[Batavië]

Van Vliet was not terribly impressed with the logo. Mostly the curvy 'N' bothered him, but he was no designer. With the arrival of his colleague, Håkonson, he decided to leave it for later.

'Yes I would be very interested in discussing high-speed rail links with Leuven. My understanding is that there is also a Batavian minority there? Meanwhile, my government is in talks with Frankish rail companies who will be travelling to Scandinavia shortly to review rail options. As for Éireann, for now air and ferry links must suffice. One day, when the BRA issue is cleared up, the possibility of a partial bridge/tunnel could be discussed. Unfortunately, both the political and economic climate do not agree with the grandioseness of the idea right now.'

Van Vliet looked around the room, proud to see everyone gathered here. He was looking forward very much to seeing the charter.

 

[Arendaal]

'A high-capacity ferry service between Arendaal and Éireann would be most welcome,' noted Foreign Minister Håkonsen approvingly, 'And we would be eager for a train link to be established between Bataviëand the city of Leuven as soon as possible. Indeed Leuven has long had a well-integrated Batavian minority and closer ties to our western neighbour are something we want to foster. I suggest the establishment of the link be a high priority issue in the upcoming talks between the Batavian Prime Minister and the Aren government during his visit to Emyn Arnen.'

 

[Batavië]

OOC: just waiting on a draft charter, friendly reminder.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

OOC {
Honestly, I've found myself too lazy to write it all on my own. So, let's do it together, step by step. First let's start with membership. If someone wants a clause involving membership please post it. If not I'll kick start it tomorrow.
}