Jydsken-Østveg
Elder Statesman
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THE WEST IS REJECTED, SCANIA SAYS THANKS BUT NO THANKS, IN WOTO DISCUSSION — FUTURE TALKS UNCLEAR
GØTHEHAVN. The Lagting gathered to discuss the potential of joining the Westernesse-Occidentia Treaty Organization (WOTO), which has additionally referred to itself as the Western Brotherhood. The argument was clear in that the common defense of western minded nations and those associated should be protected under the auspices and guidance of the Herrera-Constanza Doctrine. —The same family Constanza which recently won the Queen Louise Peace Prize. The Herrera-Constanza Doctrine is a backbone arrangement in which the Old and New Worlds are seen as divided by the Thaumantic Ocean and accordingly should respect each other's boundaries. An inherent difficulty lies in the fact that Skånskelag and the nations that comprise it are based in the derogatorily referred "Old World" which should respect the divide. Skånskelagen is perhaps already in violation of the Herrera-Constanza Doctrine, but additionally has seen to it as a defender of the doctrine historically. Traditionally the Herrera-Constanza Doctrine can be used as a tool in which Skånskelag has been able to urge or prevent in encroachment upon far-western nations.
There are other considerations in which Skånskelag must consider, and these issues ultimately provided the largest hold up in debate, where the Prime Minister deferred the question of membership to the larger body. While Scania is well known for its large naval forces which eagerly can and do support the Herrera-Constanza Doctrine from time to time, the crux of the debate also meant the application of larger military force into a greater military alliance with a larger hierarchy and "Continental Congress" which aimed to operate akin the European Forum. This point bothered many post-delegationist Members of Parliament and they ultimately rejected the idea on the basis of delegation.
Another key problem is that many Members of Parliament savvy with foreign policy circles acknowledged the fact that the Tsar in Tarusa was keeping an ear on proceedings on the WOTO. "The Tsar is believed to be adamant that the far-western socialistic nations are not to be aligned with, and he would be keen to isolate Gallo-Germanian nations which were to engage so closely with the far-west," said professor of International Relations at the University of Gothenhagen, Mikkel Jespersen. The Lagting in fact has traditionally preferred to coordinate with the Federation when considering Trans-Thaumantic arrangements, and if the Federation was not party to WOTO, it was always going to be difficult to get approval in Parliament.
Instead, Prime Minister Sophie Amalie Tordenskiold must now navigate discussions on how associate membership or affiliate status might look. Tordenskiold's Office has not actively answered any questions on the issue only responding, "once an amicable position has been negotiated Madam Prime Minister will hold a press conference immediately." Currently there is a negotiator at Camp Hill, but there is not rumored to be much progress as WOTO expansion with more readily available nations has taken priority. Already, membership has been extended to Mompracem the small island nation in the Silk Seas, and an affiliate status has been awarded to Solléga in southwestern Gallo-Germania and mother country of many of the Occidentian nations.
It is likely that Tordenskiold will want to hold discussions with the Tsar as well; however, with the recent difficulties and disagreements in the former Pannonia, it is unknown how successful such talks would be. Although it is worth considering the Tordenskiold Government has not advanced similar foreign policy as Eiffelland, Skånskelag has been traditionally vocal on maintaining a "balance of powers" in Gallo-Germania and wars are often loathed in the far-north for their disruption of trade and the likelihood to swing power balances. Either way, until firmer terms are negotiated in Camp Hill, Scanians must wait until any firmer foreign commitments are realized.