Nürnberg is the best in spring

[Serenierre]

Embassy of Belmont,
Nürnberg, Franken.

Shahrazad looked at the clock, in the embassy's lobby. She had an hour to get to the Chancellor's office. Since the last meeting between people from the governments of the two countries, Belmont had become a member of the EDF, albeit only a L4 member. Things, as far as Belmont-EDF ties were concerned, were improving a rapid pace. Upon being told that the limo was ready, she quickly got up from her seat and rushed into the limo. For the next week and a half, Shahrazad's life was solely meeting other Heads of State and Government. Having embarked on one of the most comprehensive and far reaching diplomatic tours of the world ever conducted by a Belmontien premier. At stake was her campaign promise to rejuvenate the international perception of Belmont.

The trip to the Chancellor's office was not rather long, in Shahrazad's opinion, and she was entering the building within twenty minutes of having left the embassy compound. The matters at hand were various; Belmont's continued integration into the EDF bloc, the situation in Batavie and the situation in Marquette would be discussed in great detail with her counterpart. Each of those issues was important in Paris, at the moment, and politicians and people, alike, were tense.

Shahrazad entered the office of her Franconian counterpart, smiling and with her arm extended in his direction. Speaking in clear English, "Pleasure to meet you."
​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

Apart from the Königsburg, Palais Pirckheimer, which hosted the seat of government of Franken, was a sight tourists in Nuremberg wanted to see and take photographs of. Especially these camera-obsessed Oikawans, Ministerpresident Graf Solms smirked when he saw another group of them in front of the Staatskanzlei's 'frontyard' fence. As they meant not harm, the police officers in charge of security hardly had to bother with them, except when the Oikawans or other tourists accidently blocked the entrance gate.

Contemplating the tourists' fancy for the renaissance motive Staatskanzlei a little more, Graf Peter Solms was disturbed by his assistant, who announced the arrival of the Belmontien premier. "There we go.", he murmured and went to welcome his guest.

In his mid-fifties, the earl had a remarkable figure, despite being a bit smaller than his notoriously charming foreign minister, Robert Beaumont. With due politeness Solms welcomed his colleague. "I hope you had a pleasant journey, madam." As the Ministepresident led his guest in his office, he told her the names of the many portrayed predecessors they were passing by.

"Please have a seat, premier.", Graf Solms pointed to a comfortable chair and sat down in another one facing her. "Your office told my aides you had three chief items you wanted to discuss, didn't they? Why don't we start with Batavia? What do you have in mind?"

 

[Serenierre]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

Shahrazad sat onto the seat and looked at Ministerpresident Solms. She had seen the man numerous times in newspapers and on the television but this was the first time she was meeting the man in the flesh. "Mr. Solms, yes, yes, Batavie is on the agenda but... its not what we have in mind... I want to discuss what are the EDF's plans... after all, as allies we need to keep the lines of communication open... especially in times such as these."

​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

Graf Peter Solms cast her a polite smile. "Of course, my dear colleague, you are quite right. Indeed, it's vital to keep information channels as open as possible. It's your right as a member of the Pact for Stability, especially considering Belmont's relative proximity to this particular hotbed of conflict. Well, let's see -", the Ministerpresident playfully twisted his glass back and forth in his right hand, "- actually the answer is so simple you'll probably ask whether I'm honest with you. The European Defence Federation, generously assisted by the Kingdom of Eireann, has assembled two rapid deployment forces, paratrooper units, as well as range of humanitarian relief teams and supplies in Eireann. And they're still waiting for the Security Council's green light to go ahead. I don't need to tell you how tricky business is in the Council of Nation's senior body, do I?"

 

[Serenierre]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

"Yes, the Security Council issues." Shahrazad murmured, almost inaudible, she looked at Peter Solms, her gaze intensifying. "For what its worth, all Belmontien ports will be open to EDF ships and aircraft, military, humanitarian or merchant, throughout the deployment in Batavie. Since Belmont can't take an active role in the situation, its the opinion of my government and Her Majesty Queen Diana that Belmont provide the EDF with an infrastructure that can support their deployments." Shahrazad leaned back into her chair, "Mr. Solms, now I would like to discuss this economic crisis in Marquette... its not good for business at all." She paused for a moment, "What can we do as a collective to resolve this issue as fast as possible?" she asked looking at her counterpart.

​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

The Ministerpresident nodded once more. "Marquette, alas, poor Marquette. Just between you and me, Madam Premier, they're our problem child within the ranks of the European Defence Federation. It's problematic because originally the EDF was not established to solve each other's domestic issues. Today it has also become a kind of joint economic zone through some supplementary accords beside the actual EDF treaty. In a nutshell, if you have children, nieces or nephews, you are very well aware, my dear colleague, that you have the obligation to help them out. But don't get me wrong: It doesn't mean we will pay our Marquettian friends the easy way out!

We are about to assist them to weed out their market systems to tell sustainable businesses from bad. Furthermore, we have sent them excellent experts to aid their legislators and policymakers with making better business legislation and maybe even amend their constitution's fiscal sections."

 

[Serenierre]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

"Well, Mr. Solms, I urge some more haste in solving those problems... while we have been able to keep the damage to a minimum... the situation in Marquette is most disturbing and most unpleasant for business. And its not just their economy, I have issues like APM activity going on in south Belmont... but thank god that Paris has more control over its territory. Mr. Solms, your ally is certainly a bit of trouble for us. What say you on the issue of APM terrorism?"

​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

The Ministerpresident's gesture indicated approval. "I understand you feel especially concerned as an immediate abutter of Marquette. I don't indulge in paying mere lip-service to your country's well-founded qualms. As you may have noticed, Marquette's government will go into an extraordinary recess for the few days to come to discuss domestic solutions with their allies and neighbours. If I recall correctly, your country's ambassador was invited, too, wasn't he? Since I'd like to be honest with you, dear colleague, I have to reiterate that Batavia is currently the most important item on our list of priorities. With the CoN gaining momentum, we have to do our best to ensure stability in that theatre. Stability is the pillar of prosperity in our opinion. Without it you can trash your fancy technological advances."

OOC:

An IC explanation for Marquette's absence due to computer issues.

 

[Serenierre]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

"Very well." Shahrazad said dismissively. Marquette was becoming a major problem for Paris, Fond du Loc had a lot of explaining to do and had to weed out a lot from their garden. Shahrazad wasn't going to let Belmont be dragged to the ground by Marquette, not at any cost, but at the same time, she was nervous. The situation between the Belmont - Marquette border was tricky, at best, and the failure of the EDF to take concrete measures to resolve the economic crisis of that country and, now, the impending security crisis due to the aggressive presence of the APM, Shahrazad was starting to get slightly cynical, in regards to Belmont integrating further with the EDF bloc. Marquette was far too risky, not just for Belmont but for the EDF as well.

"So, Mr. Solms, you say stability is the best path for prosperity, I couldn't agree with you more but..." she trailed off, building the tension, "the situation in Marquette, the economic and the security, the latter one in particular, will affect the economies of Lorraine, Montelimar and Belmont... all of which are either integrated with the greater EDF economy or are closely associated with it. While I realize that the Batavie situation is priority number one, but I urge you to create some consensus within the EDF to deal with the problem. Each day, my agents are finding more and more elements of APM operating in Orleans or along the border regions."

She paused, taking a deep breath and looking at the man in front of her. Seeing that Belmont was only a level four member of the EDF, representatives were not present at the EDF headquarters, truly a strange thing and members of the Belmontien government had to visit Franken, the perceived leader of the EDF, or meet with Franconian ministers to keep the Belmontien interests in their mind when in the EDF councils. Although Shahrazad had been thinking of applying for Level two membership to the EDF to get past that stumbling bloc, the Marquette issue was keeping her ministers and advisers on edge and uncertainty was ruling, in regards to enhancing Belmont's role with the EDF.

"Mr. Solms, the only way I can keep security intact in south Belmont is if I enforce more control on the borders between the two kingdoms. I do hope the EDF will support Belmont if it enforces more control on its southern borders and brings some more enhanced security measures for Marquen citizens entering Belmont. After all, its you who has said stability is the route for prosperity and, in my humble opinion, those measures will restore order."
​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

The Franconian earl raised his right eyebrow. This woman was certainly fit to do her job, both abroad and at home. Smiling the Ministerpresident pulled three sheets of paper from said small folder lying in front of him. "I must beg your forgiveness, madam. Maybe the geographical distance between Nürnberg and Paris makes me and my humble advisors underestimate the dangers you are much nearer to. Here, premier, you have -", Solms handed her the papers, "- a rough draft of a concept our expert delegations are about to discuss with the Marquettian government.
To better coordinate the EDF efforts to repair the economic damage in Marquette, we will establish a so-called provisional monetary fund for Marquette. Initially this fund will have 250m Taler at its disposal, coming directly from the treasuries of several EDF member countries. Amongst other options we considering to ask your government to appoint a top man or woman to head the fund. Over all, we would like to Belmont to see to the administration of said organisation to the best of the Marquettians. In a nutshell, your country would provide the general director and the deputy general director, supported by directors from the other countries. What do you think, Madam?"​

 

[Serenierre]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

Shahrazad looked at the document, she read it briefly and looked at her host, "Yes, many a Belmontien are capable financiers and since the resources for the fund will be taken from the other EDF states and will be a cooperative effort, I see no reason to oppose it. Now that this is settled, I must draw attention to the security situation... the APM and how best to deal with them."
​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei
Nürnberg, Franken

"Good to hear, madam. I'm afraid pertaining the APM problems soliciting our help alone won't be that useful and efficient. Certainly our law enforcement agencies as well as the prosecutors have taken notice of the APM's activity. According to my interior and justice ministers the amount of illicit activity in Franken itself is negligible as of now. If I recall correctly, there were a couple of cases of money-laundering and so on. APM tries to use Franken as a safe haven for financing. Don't worry, it would be against our very own interests to let them frolic here continuously. Maybe consider shifting your attention to Marquette's immediate neighbours Lorraine and Montelimar. While the EDF nations have a range of joint law enforcement and extradition agreements in place, this doesn't entitle my government or authorities to tell the Montelimarians what to do. We will gladly help out, but first talk to Lorraine's and Montelimar's governments."