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Rapproachment [ATTN: Eiffelland]

Pelasgia

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The early summer sun beaconed over the Pelasgian capital of Nymphaion, scalding the tarmac on Ioannis Notaras International Airport. The Federal City's gateway to the world, named after the last elected President of the Pelasgian Union, who had been assassinated in a power struggle that marked Pelasgian history forever, was relatively crowded by Himyari standards, though it was far from the central hub of travel that Propontis International Airport "Attalus the Great" was. Still, on this morrow, the VIP section of the airport was closed off and more closely guarded than the entirety of Propontis Airport.
As a jet landed on the tarmac, military bands and lines of ceremonial guards prepared to welcome Dr. Norbert Schmelzer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of @Eiffelland . At their very head was Panagiotis Kassiopoulos, the Foreign Minister of the United Pelasgian Republics, who awaited before an elegant all-black sedan that was to carry the two men to the building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs., right at the heart of the Federal Government District.
It was there that the two men would be allowed to discuss the future of relations between Eiffelland and Pelasgia, two historic allies who had drifted apart in recent years due political reasons. As the jet came to a halt and a ladder was attached to it, Panagiotis started to greet his colleague.
"Dr. Schmelzer," he said, holding out his hand. "Welcome to Pelasgia. I hope that your flight was pleasant?"
 

Rheinbund

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Minister Dr. Schmelzer was an athletic man in his fifties. He had short grey hair and black eyes. He always made sure that he looked impeccable. Also today. His taylor-made grey suit fitted him perfectly, as did his white shirt, which was made of a cloth that was thick enough to not be translucent (to avoid a problem that would normally occur with white shirts). His tie and his socks were dark grey, and his shoes were black (and perfectly polished). He wore an old but perfectly maintained watch on his wrist; a watch he inherited from his grandfather, and would pass on to one of his grandsons as well. He had the kind of gallantry of a nobleman at a dress-ball in the beginning of the 20th century, but combined that with very progressive ideas on emancipation.
One way or the other, he was a historic figure in Eiffelland, because he was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs since the introduction of the proportionate system Eiffellandian style who was from the same political party as the Chancellor. Up to last year's elections, it was tradition that the Minister of Foreign Affairs was also the vice-chancellor of the second-largest coalition partner. Rüdiger Zimmermann, the political leader of the Sociodemocrats, was not so happy as Minister of Foreign Affairs, so he decided to switch to Internal Affairs, and then Rheinfeld proposed Dr. Schmelzer as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Dr. Schmelzer walked down the stairs in a smooth step and walked to Minister Kassiopoulos. He shook hands with his Pelasgian counterpart and said: "Thank you Minister Kassiopoulos. The flight was very pleasant. I am happy to be in your beautiful country, which is the cradle of our civilisation."
 

Pelasgia

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"I am honoured to hear you say that, Doctor," Kassiopoulos answered as he showed his colleague into the elegant black sedan that was to drive them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "After all, Eiffelland is one of the hearts of Western civilisation in our day and age."
As the car, flanked, preceded, and followed by unmarked and marked police cars, sped through the wide, neatly planned streets of the Federal City of Nymphaion, Kassiopoulos took the chance to start discussing with his colleague. "If I may, Doctor, I would like to inquire as to Eiffelland's predisposition regarding the possibility of more open trade with Pelasgia. You mentioned our common civilization previously, and it is well known that Pelasgian culture spread primarily through our mercantile and naval prowess; in the present age, Pelasgia considers itself fortunate to act as the main gateway for Himyar trade to the rest of Europe, and as the bottleneck between the Meridian and Basilisk Seas. With this in mind, we would look positively upon the possibility of expanding our mercantile relations with Gallo-Germania, by easing trade restrictions with countries in that region. Given Eiffelland's sophistication and size as an economy, it is my view that Trier would be the ideal candidate to serve as the basis for such an expansion."
 

Rheinbund

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"Actually, we have quite some plans regarding a trade zone, Minister," Dr. Schmelzer said. "We are currently thinking of how to handle post-crisis Pannonia. That includes trade deals with Bourdignie, Bécs-Altstadt and Ostmark. From my point of view, Pelasgia could become a part of that, although I need to discuss that. In any case, a trade deal with your country is something our countries could both benefit from. Like you said, Pelasgia would have an entrance into Gallo-Germania, and Eiffelland would have an entrance in Hymiar."
 

Pelasgia

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"That would be a very enticing deal for us," Kassiopoulos admitted. "The current happenings in Pannonia, whether we like it or not, will shape the entire region's economic future. Pelasgia would very much like to play a part in that--provided the local powers agree. As regards our two states, I think we could complement each other's economies. Pelasgia, you see, could serve as a cheaper outsourcing destination for Eiffellandian firms; Pelasgians consumers could, in return, re-import Eiffellandian high-tech goods or products finished in Eiffelland, following Pelasgian initial processing. Such economic integration would deepen cultural and other ties, I think it is fair to say.
"If you agree, I would also recommend a program to expand cultural exchanges, foreign language and archeological institutes, museum exchanges, and student exchange programs between our two countries." The car came to a halt, and Kassiopoulos showed his colleague out, and up through the steel, glass, and marble halls of the all-white modern building housing the federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As they climbed up the stairs to an elegant conference room overlooking the building's enclosed gardens, Kassiopoulos continued discussing with his colleague. "After all, culture and trade could form the foundation of a more... permanent friendship between Pelasgia and Eiffelland."
 

Rheinbund

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"I am absolutely in favour of cultural exchanges between our countries, as well as student exchange programs museum exchanges. Maybe we could also cooperate on a scientific level. We have a rocket launching facility in Al-Magrab; you could make use of that facility for launching satellites as well. For outsourcing production facilities, Eiffellandian companies already have factories in Al-Magrab, but I also know that they are looking for additional production capacities, so Pelasgia could be a good location for that."
 

Pelasgia

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"All those proposals sound ideal to us. Pelasgia is eager to devote its considerable resources to space exploration, and to cooperate more closely," as the two men and their aides sat around a large conference table, Kassiopoulos paused to treat his guests to a drink and a snack, mostly in the form of coffee, tea, and a small piece of baklava. With that out of the way, he turned to a more important matter. "Then again, cooperation can also touch upon more sensitive areas. Intelligence sharing agreements between our security agencies could help prevent terrorist attacks, which had unfortunately become all too common an occurrence in recent years."
"Speaking of terror, Doctor; what is your position on the current events in Pannonia? How does Eiffelland see the future of that region?"
 

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"I think it will indeed help us both in the fight against terrorism if our security services cooperate.

For Pannonia, it really depends on what the Rus are going to do, Minister. If they carry out their threat to invade Pannonia, we may face a long and nasty war. Remion is not going to allow the Rus to occupy Eugenia, and Eiffelland is not going to allow the Rus to occupy Bourdignie and Bécs-Altstadt. If the Rus remain calm, Eugenia, Bourdignie and Bécs-Altstadt will have the chance to develop themselves to prosperous nations. But then the Csengian rump state will become a matter of concern. How stable will it be? A different matter is that it will contain the land connection between Gallo-Germania and Remion. How difficult will it be for international traffic to cross it? If the Rus get the say in Csengia, I fear the worst for the connections between Gallo-Germania and Remion."
 

Pelasgia

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"Yes, that is a most concerning development," Kassiopoulos admitted. "Pelasgia stands ready to help with peacekeeping efforts, though we hope that the situation will not deteriorate to the point where such forces will be redundant."

He paused and presented his colleague with a small box. "A medal of friendship," the Minister explained, as aides presented such boxes to the rest of the Eiffellandian delegation. "To mark the rekindling of close relations between our nations."
 

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"Thank you very much for this gift, Minister Kassiopoulos," Dr. Schmelzer said with a smile. "We appreciate this very much."

He took a bit of his coffee, and then continued.

"We must indeed hope that the situation in Pannonia does not escalate. We will have to cooperate with the Rus though. That is part of the Verdugo Peace Plan. Although we have to take into account that the Rus ... can bring us surprises from time to time.

By the way, I would also like to invite you for a visit to Trier."
 

Pelasgia

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"I would be honoured, Doctor Schmelzer," Kassiopoulos answered, sipping some coffee of his own. "I would very much like to see your beautiful capital."

Kassiopoulos paused to thank one of his aids who handed him a document. "If it would please you, Doctor, my aides have drawn up a draft treaty with the terms we discussed. Would you care to go over it now?"

----------

TREATY OF AMITY, COOPERATION, AND TRADE BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF EIFFELLAND AND THE UNITED PELASGIAN REPUBLICS

The Kingdom of Eiffelland and the United Pelasgian Republics, to be referred to in this document as "Eiffelland" and "Pelasgia" respectively, and as the "High Contracting Parties" collectively, resolved to:

PROMOTE free trade and all the benefits it entails to Europe as a whole;

FACILITATE amity and interaction between their respective peoples and cultures;

STRENGTHEN the long tradition of bilateral cooperation between their respective governments on the world stage;

IMPROVE the general welfare of their respective peoples through economic expansion;

ENHANCE global security and public safety against terroristic and criminal threats of an international nature;

PROVIDE for the needs of their citizenry through the consumption of each other's unique products; and

EXPAND global integration of their economies and mutual interconnectedness;

HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1: Promotion of Maritime and International Trade
The High Contracting Parties agree to lift port and import duties on each other's products, and to ease trade barriers particularly to those goods intended for further export to the rest of their respective regions. The High Contracting Parties also agree to not erect any indirect trade barriers against the broader export and flow of each other's goods across each other's borders, with a view to expanding Pelasgia's economic imprint in Gallo-Germania, and Eiffelland's economic imprint in Himyar.

Article 2: Promotion of Mutual Economic Growth
The High Contracting Parties agree to lift trade barriers inhibiting the export of industrial and processed goods between them, in order to aid in the production and trade of finished and partially processed goods. Pelasgia promises to relax its restrictions on Eiffellandian finished or improved goods, as listed in Schedule 1, in consideration for Eiffelland's easing of restrictions on goods produced by Eiffellandian industries in Pelasgia, as listed in Schedule 2.

Article 3: Mutual Trade in Services
The High Contracting Parties agree to ease trade barriers to each other's services, as defined in Schedule 3 of this Treaty. Particular care is to be given to services with a distinct cultural character, including art, media, and, tourism. This condition is subject to each country's general public order provisions and public law rules.

Article 4: Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, and Mutual Amity
(1) The High Contracting Parties agree to promote cultural cooperation, interaction and friendship between themselves and their citizens and subjects.
(2) More specifically, Pelasgia agrees to establish a Pelasgian Cultural Centre, a Pelasgian Academic Centre and a Pelasgian Language Centre in Eiffelland, in consideration whereof, Eiffelland agrees to establish an Eiffellandian Cultural Centre, an Eiffellandian Academic Centre and an Eiffellandian Language Centre in Pelasgia.
(3) These centres will promote such activities as linguistic accreditation and instruction, museum and university exchanges, and cultural exhibits and exchanges, subject to the laws and approval of both Parties. With the agreement and approval of both Parties, smaller branches may be set up in various cities and territories.
(4) The High Contracting Parties also agree to cooperate in matters of space exploration and exo-atmospheric travel, utilizing Eiffelland's space launch facilities in Al-Magrab and Pelasgia's own resources aimed at space exploration.

Article 5: Permanent Committee for Trade and Exchange
(1) The High Contracting Parties agree to the creation of a Permanent Committee for Trade and Exchange between Eiffelland and Pelasgia, to be hereafter referred to as the "Permanent Committee".
(2) The Permanent Committee shall be composed of government officials and specialists from both of the High Contracting Parties, at an equal rate, and it shall act under their joint supervision. It shall be jointly funded by the High Contracting Parties.
(3) The Permanent Committee will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of this Treaty. More specifically, it shall be tasked with arbitrating and resolving disputes arising as a result of this Treaty between the High Contracting Parties and their citizens and companies, which cannot otherwise be resolved by the High Contracting Parties' domestic justice systems, as outlined in Schedule 4 of this Treaty.
(4) The Permanent Committee will also monitor the direct and indirect trade barriers between the two countries and recommend ways to remove them, unless otherwise provided for in this Treaty. Its recommendations shall have no binding authority other than that which the High Contracting Parties seek to give them. The same shall apply to recommendations made regarding the overall state of trade and other exchanges between the High Contracting Parties as a result of this Treaty.

Article 6: Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation
(1) The High Contracting Parties agree to cooperate and to assist one another towards the goal of mutual security and public safety, with a particular view to the prevention of crime, terrorism, or other gross offences to each other's public order and general security.
(2) For the purpose outlined in Item (1), the High Contracting Parties shall establish permanent liaisons between their police and intelligence services, in order to share intelligence, leads, information, advice, tactical skills and prowess, and other such means or data as the High Contracting Parties will determine to be useful in the course of their relationship.

Article 7: Dispute Resolution
(1) Any dispute arising out of this treaty shall be resolved by the parties through arbitration, following the publication of a notice of arbitration request by one of the parties and no later than six (6) months following said publication.
(2) If the parties fail to enter into arbitration by the deadline mentioned in Item (1), or if the responding party makes known its desire not to enter into arbitration at any time, or if the arbitration does not conclude within two (2) years of the moment of the publication of a notice of arbitration request, the party seeking arbitration shall be empowered to absolve itself of the specific obligation it deems to have been breached, or its corresponding obligation, without denouncing the treaty and without any penalty or retaliation.
(3) Once the responding party enters into arbitration and that arbitration concludes, or if it otherwise satisfies the complaining party's complaint, and thereby ceases its violation, the sanctions envisaged in Item (2) lapse immediately.

Article 8: Operative Provisions
(1) This treaty enters into effect at the moment of its ratification by both parties, or following the passage of six (6) months after its signing if either party has not yet denounced it.
(2) Either party may withdraw from this treaty at any time, provided that it gives the other party six (6) months' notice of its intent to do so; the withdrawing party may choose not to withdraw at any time before the lapsing of those six (6) months. However, after the end of that period, the treaty is deemed dissolved, and the parties may not enter into it anew except through ratification of a new treaty.
(3) All the obligations in the treaty are interconnected and mutually binding on both of the High Contracting Parties. No party may withdraw from the treaty or denounce only one of its obligations without also withdrawing from or denouncing the whole, except as provided in Article 7.
(4) No amendment may be made to the treaty without the express, written approval of both of the High Contracting Parties.
(5) The duly authorised plenipotentiaries and representatives of the High Contracting Parties, as listed below, have signed and sealed the present treaty in Eiffellandian and Pelasgian. Both versions of the treaty are equally authentic, binding, enforceable and legal.

Done in the Federal City of Nymphaion, on the ____ of June of the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-One.

On behalf of the United Pelasgian Republics,

/s/ Παναγιώτης Ανδρέου Κασσιόπουλος, Υπουργός των Εξωτερικών
Panagiotis Kassiopoulos, Son of Andreas, Minister of Foreign Affairs

(L.S.)

On behalf of the Kingdom of Eiffelland,

/s/_____________________________________________________
Name, Title

(L.S.)
 

Rheinbund

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"I did not find any mistakes in this text," Dr. Schmelzer said after having read the treaty. "Of course my name will have to be mentioned as the person signing on behalf of Eiffelland. That will be 'Dr. Norbert Schmelzer, Außenminister / Ministre d'Étranger' in German and French, and 'Dr. Norbert Schmelzer, Minister of Foreign Affairs' in English."
 

Pelasgia

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One of the aides quickly rushed over with a new copy including the Eiffellandian Minister's name.

On behalf of the Kingdom of Eiffelland,

/s/ Dr. Norbert Schmelzer, Außenminister / Ministre d'Étranger
Dr. Norbert Schmelzer, Minister of Foreign Affairs

(L.S.)

"In that case," said Kassiopoulos, "let us sign." He signed his own name and then allowed his colleague to follow, before extending out his hand.
 

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Dr. Schmelzer signed the document as well. "We signed for a calm and prosperous future of our respective countries, Minister Kassiopoulos," he said. And he extended his hand.
 
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