Serenierre
Established Nation
King Philippe I International Airport,
Paris.
The state visit by the Batavien premier had long been expected by the political elite of Belmont. Preparations had begun just after Premier Martinique's invitation had been accepted by the Prime Minister of Batavie, which was about two weeks ago. The city of Paris, the past few days, had been used to hi-profile visits. Only last week, Chancellor Rouve had come from Fond du Loc to discuss security, those talks had gone immaculately and the same was expected for these ones with Prime Minister de Jonghe.
The flags of Belmont and Batavie were fluttering everywhere. Security, as was usual for hi-profile diplomatic meetings, was tight and blockades had been put up across the main roads, keeping the main avenue from the airport to the Government quarters clean of civilian traffic. Rangers had spread out and were stationed on the tops of the many buildings, counter-snipers and lookouts remained camouflaged and with the eyes of a hawk kept a vigil over the Rue de la Avignon.
Premier of Belmont, Shahrazad Martinique, had arrived at the airport early. Accompanied by her Foreign, Finance and Defense Ministers, she emerged from the limo. "When does he arrive?" she asked her aide.
"Madame, the Batavien plane shall land in twenty minutes."
"Good."
The four officials walked briskly. The four, without a doubt, were the most powerful people in Belmont, second in influence and power only to the Queen. Hopes were high that the talks would drastically improve the ties between the two economic powers. For all it was worth, Shahrazad had to admit, the Batavien communists had managed to keep their country rather well, economically speaking. She, herself, had gone to the country as part of former Premier Bettancourt's delegation to the capital of Vlaanderen when the latter had embarked on a campaign for rapprochement. She had expected to see nothing but grey concrete bloc buildings but instead she was greeted by some beauty. Of-course, she assumed that the rest of the country hadn't been afforded the luxury of looking nice.
But things were changing in that former hell-hole of a communist nation. Democracy had come. Elections had been held. A new government was in place. This was Paris' opportunity to achieve what Bettancourt had failed to do with the communist regime of Van de Graaf. For Paris, under Shahrazad, economic interaction and prosperity was of prime importance and seeing that Batavie had to shake off the damage from its own civilian uprising against the Van de Graaf regime, Belmont's drive for economic prosperity could help the Scanian nation. It was hoped that in doing business with Belmont, Batavie would see the potential of piggybacking its way to economic recovery.
Shahrazad and her three ministers entered the VIP Lounge. The air-conditioning offering a pleasant respite from the unusually harsh April morning. Taking her seat on a light pink, single seater sofa, Shahrazad looked at Foreign Minister Chauvelin. "I assume you're ready... my OCD minister," she smiled.
"As always," Chauvelin smiled back. "Better watch out for Ichiro," he said pointing to the Finance Minister, Ichiro Yamaguchi, an Oikawan-origin Belmontien, "I heard he was busy reviewing the next tax increase till late last night."
Shahrazad looked at Yamaguchi and smiled. "Well, now that is a quality which I need in the Finance Ministry..." she trailed off.
"Merci, Sherry." Yamaguchi said, smiling at the Premier.
The four were friends, having met while studying at the University of Paris, their friendship had strengthened over the course of their political life as well. Lost in conversation, the twenty minutes seemed to pass rather quickly. Now was time for business.
"Madame et Messieurs, the plane is about to land..."
Paris.
The state visit by the Batavien premier had long been expected by the political elite of Belmont. Preparations had begun just after Premier Martinique's invitation had been accepted by the Prime Minister of Batavie, which was about two weeks ago. The city of Paris, the past few days, had been used to hi-profile visits. Only last week, Chancellor Rouve had come from Fond du Loc to discuss security, those talks had gone immaculately and the same was expected for these ones with Prime Minister de Jonghe.
The flags of Belmont and Batavie were fluttering everywhere. Security, as was usual for hi-profile diplomatic meetings, was tight and blockades had been put up across the main roads, keeping the main avenue from the airport to the Government quarters clean of civilian traffic. Rangers had spread out and were stationed on the tops of the many buildings, counter-snipers and lookouts remained camouflaged and with the eyes of a hawk kept a vigil over the Rue de la Avignon.
Premier of Belmont, Shahrazad Martinique, had arrived at the airport early. Accompanied by her Foreign, Finance and Defense Ministers, she emerged from the limo. "When does he arrive?" she asked her aide.
"Madame, the Batavien plane shall land in twenty minutes."
"Good."
The four officials walked briskly. The four, without a doubt, were the most powerful people in Belmont, second in influence and power only to the Queen. Hopes were high that the talks would drastically improve the ties between the two economic powers. For all it was worth, Shahrazad had to admit, the Batavien communists had managed to keep their country rather well, economically speaking. She, herself, had gone to the country as part of former Premier Bettancourt's delegation to the capital of Vlaanderen when the latter had embarked on a campaign for rapprochement. She had expected to see nothing but grey concrete bloc buildings but instead she was greeted by some beauty. Of-course, she assumed that the rest of the country hadn't been afforded the luxury of looking nice.
But things were changing in that former hell-hole of a communist nation. Democracy had come. Elections had been held. A new government was in place. This was Paris' opportunity to achieve what Bettancourt had failed to do with the communist regime of Van de Graaf. For Paris, under Shahrazad, economic interaction and prosperity was of prime importance and seeing that Batavie had to shake off the damage from its own civilian uprising against the Van de Graaf regime, Belmont's drive for economic prosperity could help the Scanian nation. It was hoped that in doing business with Belmont, Batavie would see the potential of piggybacking its way to economic recovery.
Shahrazad and her three ministers entered the VIP Lounge. The air-conditioning offering a pleasant respite from the unusually harsh April morning. Taking her seat on a light pink, single seater sofa, Shahrazad looked at Foreign Minister Chauvelin. "I assume you're ready... my OCD minister," she smiled.
"As always," Chauvelin smiled back. "Better watch out for Ichiro," he said pointing to the Finance Minister, Ichiro Yamaguchi, an Oikawan-origin Belmontien, "I heard he was busy reviewing the next tax increase till late last night."
Shahrazad looked at Yamaguchi and smiled. "Well, now that is a quality which I need in the Finance Ministry..." she trailed off.
"Merci, Sherry." Yamaguchi said, smiling at the Premier.
The four were friends, having met while studying at the University of Paris, their friendship had strengthened over the course of their political life as well. Lost in conversation, the twenty minutes seemed to pass rather quickly. Now was time for business.
"Madame et Messieurs, the plane is about to land..."