A meeting of Neighbours
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President Ran Mouri-Kudo stepped out of the Presidential Plane and entered the terminal of the plane. She wondered exactly how this meeting between her and the General Secretary of the Federal Republic of Yosia, Junichi Watanabe. The relations between Yosai and Spain were not best at the moment due to differences over the channel between said nations. This issue was concerning because Leagio depends on trade with a lot of nations between that channel in particular. If any sort of long-term conflict happened between the two nations that resulted in blockades, it would not help Leagio at all. Leagio's economy needs foreign trade for other materials in order to modernize and continue especially the Green New Deal. In addition, there was the discussion in the Leagioan Congress to fund companies that could mass-produce a fleet of merchant ships for a possible Merchant Marine Fleet that Leagio could call up if needed. Nuclear materials and Diamonds were what Leagio could naturally produce, which helped Leagio be in a position where European Nations needed to be friendly with Leagio to receive the material for non-military projects like power plants. In addition, surprisingly, there were some nations that exclusively bought Leagioan Diamonds for their quality.
This meeting with Yosai was crucial. However, any agreement made would need to be made in a way to ensure that it did not look like Leagio was taking the side of Yosai in the channel debate. Leagio needs to be friendly with both Yosai and Spain in order to keep the economy going. When reviewing what she knew about the Federal Republic of Yosai, she understood that it is a Semi Presidential Republic with Parliamentary Democracy. In addition, she knew that the Commonwealth had a history with Yosai in the early days of Leagioan independence. So with Yosai, she needed to negotiate a trade and development agreement that was good especially to pass the Senate that was divided into many issues.
She walked up to the General-Secretary and greeted him with a handshake.
"Greetings Mr. General-Secretary, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Leagio, it is honor to me. I hope that relations between our two nations continue to be positive." Mouri-Kudo said. -
General Secretary Junichi Watanabe and Secretary of Commerce and Industry Kyomi Ishijo walked up and bowed to President Mouri-Kudo “Madam President how are you? I hope your journey here wasn’t too strenuous. Please follow us.” He said as he smiled. They both got into the governmental bullet proof car with an entire security detail to the Executive Blue Manor.
Once they got out of the car the General Secretary escorted the President of Leagio to Haikage Garden. Which was at the back of the Executive Blue Manor which included lots of orderly yet natural tree formations highlighting Yosai's culture and fondness of order while still protecting nature in all its balance.
“So, Madame President. You have made your journey here. I take it you wish for good diplomatic relations among neighbours? If that is the case I share the same ambitions as you do." He said while pouring President Mouri-Kudo some warm green tea. Secretary Ishijo then spoke with the warm maternal voice she is known for "I take it that Leagio Commonwealth has a lot of potential commercial interests that our Republic can offer."
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Mouri-Kudo gracefully drank the green tea for a second and then responded to the Secretary's question.
"Of course, Secretary Ishijo. although, the Commonwealth produces mainly Diamonds and Nuclear materials. We are at the moment growing our ability to produce finished goods with materials that the Commonwealth imports from Europe. For example, Leagioan Companies are starting to rise up to the top 10. The GDP of Leagio is at 11 of all the nations in the EU and so far forecasts say that it might continue to grow for a bit. The Commonwealth is looking to sell digital services, manufactured goods, and green tech products at a higher rate. However, as mentioned earlier, most of the raw materials that drive the economy of Leagio is raw goods. Yosai provides a good number of these raw goods that the Commonwealth could use. So one of the things that I was hoping to begin on was the possibility of better access to Yosai raw materials."
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General Secretary Watanabe and Commerce and Industry Secretary Ishijo looked pensively President Mouri Kudo. General Secretary Junichi Watanabe responded after drinking his green tea." "Well Madame President it seems our economies are rather similar we to specialised in in digital devices, consumer electronics and hi tech devices as well. A good chunk of our raw materials also go into making those devices. We are willing to allow access for Leagio to have access to our raw resources, yes. but our manufacturing sector is also dependent of our utilisation of those resources."
Secretary Kyomi Ishijo replied "That is a good point, if we were to export those resources to you how much in terms of tonnage and percentage would you need to keep up with domestic and foreign demand?"
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Mouri-Kudo thought back to the Cabinet Meeting that she had with the Secretary of Industry in particular last week before the plans of the conference were finalized. According to the reports, if the Commonwealth could get access to around 10 million Metric Tons of Iron to produce steel, then it would be a start. The Other resource is a different story, but Mouri-Kudo knew that the Commonwealth could possibly not be able to receive unlimited access to Yosaian.
"The Commonwealth would like to receive around 8 Million Metric Tons of Iron a year for at least a two-year period with the option to renew and renegotiate. Furthermore, the amount of the other materials is something that I am willing to negoiate with you in exchange for a Visa-Free Program for both our citizens. Furthermore, as a way to help build up trade of the materials and trade between our nations, the Commonwealth is willing to negotiate on a project worked between our nations of a railway line connecting Toyko and Tullion to each other. "
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General Secretary Junichi Watanabe smiled "We can agree to those terms a national railway network can be doable as well. Yosai National Rail is a publicly owned corporation responsible for a national high speed rail. if you like I can organise a meeting with their CEO for a contract in conjucntion with your railway companies as well. "
Secretary of Commerce & Industry replied "So if we have this right, your nation wants 8 million metric tons of Iron, annually with a review of said treaty every 2 years? If so that's fine. I take it that this is to produce export goods for your nations tech industry. Our economy is mostly geared towards technological, industrial and transport & automotive exports as well. So we look forward to our industries being able to access another market and out citizens having an easier time, living, working and studying in Leagio and vice versa"
General Secretary Junichi Watanabe responded "Yes I believe this arrangement so far is beneficial for both of our nations. With that said is there anything further you wish from us on our end Madame President?"
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Mouri-Kudo nodded and responded, "Yes, the Iron is for mainly exporting manufactured products and also for various work programs for infrastructure, even the Tokyo-Tullion Railway system as the program will be a public one runs but with some Leagioan government aid in money. I think a talk with CEO of the Yosai National Rail would be good as the thing is that Leagio has a dual-gauge rail system and so further negotiations as time passes would be needed. In terms of other resources, just access to them at a negotiated amount that would help stimulate trade between our two nations. That is mainly what the Commonwealth is looking towards. Is there anything that you would like on your end as well, General-Secretary?"
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Both General Secretary Watanabe and Commerce & Industry Secretary Ishijo looked at President Mouri-Kudo and then each other. Not at the moment Madame President. I believe that with this agreement if written and finalise can provide a good litmus test if you will. What I propose as that we write a draft, then com back to reconvene and sign. In the mean time I will organise a meeting with CEO Mr Ando Iwada of Yosai national rail in order to get his input about our shared railway proposal. I would think that you would want to be there as well, correct?"
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Mouri-Kudo thought on it for a moment and nodded.
"I happen to agree on your idea."
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Junichi Watanabe and Kyomi Ishijo looked at each other then looked at President Mouri-Kudo. Well Madame President, I think we are done here. This has been a most productive meeting. We will send over a draft to your office by the end of the month in the meantime we will get a meeting going with the Yosai National Rail to get their input of a universal railway line. (OOC If you want this to be another meeting or just draft one up and announce it I'll leave it up to you).
