The Adventuranza Redress (Yosai-Spain Summit)
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There is the contention of what happens if both parties can't agree to tax? As well as Yosai having to enforce what is ultimately Spanish law. A law that has nothing to do with Yosai. We believe that this tax unfairly penilises nations that have no choice but to transport goods through the strait just on the basis of geography. Also if we accept this policy it forces us to accept some degrees of Spanish foreign policy, trade policy and maritime conventions by a body that is ultimately administered by Madrid.
"Yosai doesn't have the interest in taxing anyone in the strait on the basis of what is ultimately Spanish law as we believe that Yosai doesn't need to rely on such a revenue stream. The tax ultimately ties us to Spanish trade policy in terms of cargo taxes, and foreign relations with other states will ultimately not be the same of Spain's relations I mean what we want is to be able to do is to conduct our own commercial and trade policy and maritime procedures. I am sure you can understand such reasoning. If we implement this tax we risk alienating potential business interests on the basi of a policy decided and administered by Spain.
What we want is For Yosai and Spain to share an equal portion of the Strait of Adventuranza as is perfectly reasonable of
12nm each and each conduct their own trade, commercial and ta policy as both see fit. We have equal share of the Strait and go our seperate ways. I know you have your red lines and so do we. So I ask you Mr Aguilar, where do we go from here? " -
Aguilar answered, wishing to be clear: "Mr. Watanabe, if you want 54.5 kilometres of waters for Yosai, you will have to compromise to the tax. This agreement has to be fair for both parties, and as I have and am compromising to your red lines, you should compromise to mines. It is the fairest choice and the only one that will bring stability and prosperity to this area of the South of Europe. The ball is in your court now, you decide between an agreement or losing all this progress we have achieved so far."
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"In other word comply with the tax or loose our right to equal share of the waters? Would it not be reasonable for both sides to have equal share of the Strait and free to implement their own laws on either side? What you are asking is pretty coercive Mr President. Not what I call a respectable foreign policy. We aren't asking for much Mr President. All we want is Equal share of the strait, something we shouldn't have to ask for seeing as we have stake in what goes on in the strait as well. We get equal share of the strait along with the right to implement our own laws. It's that simple. But if you are unwilling to accept something that basic then I'm afraid we are at an impasse. I apologise for having you fly all this way for no reason."
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"I think that calling our foreign policy as not respectable and saying our proposals are coercive is not the correct way to carry on with these negotiations, Mr. Watanabe; in fact making these statements do not help this negotiation, but makes it worse and increases tensions between us. Let me give you some helpful advice for when things do not go on your way, for possible future situations like this one: never disrespect or indirectly insult a country.
I have done a lot for this agreement, nonetheless it is disappointing to hear Yosai is not intending to accept the only red line Spain has proposed all over this negotiation, even more when the justification is full of untrue statements: this is not ultimately Spanish law, as the sound tolls were born from an agreement between Spain and the former Ottoman Empire; and saying this implies accepting Spanish foreign policy is even more untrue, because you actively take part on the decision making process on the ASMSA, which also does not imply or mean a tie to Spanish trade policy as, again we both take decisions. And when it comes to trade, it might penalise them but that is how this works, and as Céline Dion says, 'that's the way it is.' So, Mr. Watanabe, do we have an agreement or not?"
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General Secretary Watanabe face was a calm and gentile demeanor but also firm "Mr President our position on the tax was clear from the beginning. The tax was also a red line for us, but in a different way. You want to keep it, we never wanted to enforce it as having another country administer a law which has nothing to do with that nation was something do not have any interest in, whatever agreement you had with the Ottoman Empire was a decision that was for another time. We are not the Ottoman Empire . I cannot go back to the Yosainese people and say that we have won our right to sovereignty at the expense of our tax policy. We do apologise if you feel insulted, that was not our intention, however we cannot in good conscience accept this policy. I do hope that one day we can look past this and if not under our current adminiosterations but maybe the next that Spain and Yosai can call each other allies, but we have nothing to gain with further negotiations with each other as it currently stands. So I'm afraid I must decline. I'm sorry." He aid as he gave the signature respectable Yosainese bow.
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Well, then as Yosai is not interested in the good ending of this negotiation, while Spain is, we will be us who will make the effort. We will drop the Adventuranza Strait Maritime Security Agency and with that, we have a deal, Mr. Watanabe. And now, once that has been solved, we would like to move on to talk about trade and movement.
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General Secretary Watanabe raised his eyebrow while straightening his glasses pensively.
"Of course Mr Aguilar. After all it wouldn't be nice if you left Yosai completely empty handed. What did you have in mind Mr President. We are welcome to any talks regarding trade and movement. What did you have in mind?"
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Well, we are interested on many products from the Republic of Yosai and Spanish products are great quality and many people will surely enjoy them even more if we both up to free trade and movement. When it comes to movement, I believe we should both be able to shut down our borders whenever we want if there is a risk to national security or any international conflict or problem. And, related to free trade, I believe we should suspend any and allcustom duties and tariffs but keep cargo inspections as well as health controls, so we can avoid incidents that are unlikely to happen, but it is better to prevent that searching for a cure later, isn't it Mr. Watanabe?
I also believe we should cooperate when it comes to the Strait environmental protection and security, as Spain is really concerned about drug trafficking through the Strait from other African countries. The tax might be gone and our relationship might have just started a new era, yet the Strait criminals are still out there, and there is no time to lose.
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General Secretary Watanabe "Well Mr Aguilar I believe you have a deal. We see no reason not to agree to any of what you proposed. Free trade and free movement while still maintaining control of our borders in times where there might be a need for greater national security. Suspending tariff barriers and customs duties. Environmental protection is something this government does take very seriously s we are undergoing several environmental initiatives. Which are periodically published in journals. Today is a good day. Our relationship while tested has come up with a good outcome for both of us. I know it doesn't look like that now, but in the future I believe that this relationship will transform from merely productive to a positive outcome for us both. Is there anything else you wish to discuss at the moment or do you want to start a press conference?"
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"Right now there is nothing else that I believe I have forgotten to comment with you, Mr. Watanabe. So it is up to you right now! We have a good meeting after all, and coming to an agreement is very possitive for the future of this area of the European Union." Aguilar said and then smiled.
"But now I think of it, we need to write the Treaty! We nearly forgot of that!" The Spanish president commented.
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General Secretary Watanabe replied "OK, well If we can't come up with a treaty at this very moment. I'll have my department of state and senior members of my diplomatic corps to draft one up that benefits us both and we'll meet at a later date to go over it and sign it. Would you be ok with that?"
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"Of course, that is no problem to me Mr. Watanabe. It has been a pleasure to meet with you and reaching an agreement. I hope you have a great day and to see you again soon." Then the routinary press conference, a tradition in Yosai, took place and the Spanish President left the country. One of the most complex summits had just finished.
The Kingdom of Spain