Kirelesile Conference | The Conference
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The North Diessenian delegation sat back as Rikkalek and Isztenn made their proposals. Ekrem Mueller, Confederal President, whispered to his Minister for Foreign Affairs, "Is the direct line to the Palace open?" After receiving a confirmatory nod, Mueller knew he could no neither wrong nor right at this conference. He had assumed the highest office of state at great cost to the nation he had sworn to serve -- a nation which, after last year's events, was no longer a real nation.
Mueller's ambitions had become real. He reflected on his upbringing near the Inimician border in the State of Reuland, which had provided the necessary incentive for his takeover of power, and concluded it had all started there. He witnessed the decline and fall of the Inimician economy, and with it, the North Diessenian financial structure. But he had also witnessed incredible resilience, on both sides of the border, and resolved, there and then, that he would seek to unite the two peoples he had grown up with.
And what means would be unjustified to achieve that end? None at all. He knew members of his inner circle critiqued the new co-operative agreements between Inimicus and the Confederacy. Agreements which, if one were to believe them, were terrifically one-sided. But, and this is where Mueller's thoughts led, his nation's complete backing by one of the region's foremost powers meant that really, he had no place at this Conference. This losers' conference, he had termed it. Designed for the poor, the scruffy, to get together to complain about their misery.
Arnum, his loyal foreign affairs minister, had insisted on attending, and on double-checking with the Imperial Palace anything they would agree to. And so, North Diessen was represented at the Kirelesile Conference, albeit reluctantly.
"We thank the Republic of Istkalen for their proposals", Mueller spoke in his usual, stately voice, "Although we view a common fund or bank as a potentially positive development, we would stress that such a trust would have to be immensely well-regulated. Much like the European Development Agency, which cannot give subsidies for certain purposes, this bank's aims would have to be as well-defined. Perhaps even more so, as our recent app--" He received a nudge from Arnum Blauberg and swiftly composed himself. "I er, I would also ask whether the Istkalen delegation has considered where these funds would come from? Are we all to contribute to a common trust, or would outside factors be able to pay in, as a sort of foreign aid? If it is the latter, there are potential concerns attached to that."
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"In response to the Strathaen delegation," said Isztenn, "we simply do not believe that free trade would be beneficial for all in attendance. The nations represented here vary widely in terms of income levels and development; free trade has the potential to devastate many of them because of these inequalities. Istkalen specifically relies on strict controls on foreign entries into the country to allow for the continued survival of most of its light industry, an essential part of our economy, which simply cannot compete with the efficiency present in most other countries. We are also opposed to a defense pact simply because - well, we do not believe the international community trusts us in particular with such things."
"In response to the delegation from North DIessen: we do indeed have proposals regarding regulations, aims, and funding of the proposed bank and fund, but we intended to discuss that only after surveying support for our initial proposals. We are, however, happy to answer your questions. Both the proposed development and monetary fund would be funded primarily by contributions from the signatory states; we are opposed to allowing outside factors to contribute. We are slightly hesitant to propose an exact level of contributions at this point; we would like first to hear the opinions on others on this issue. A hypothetical development fund would likely be limited solely to the construction of infrastructure works - ports, roads, aqueducts, power plants and so on - and of industry. Funding for education may also be considered, if other delegations are in support. As for the hypothetical monetary fund, signatories would presumably draw from it as a short-term source of capital to maintain exchange rates and avert crisis. For both, administration would be carried out presumably by a council of delegates of all signatories, on the principle of one-nation, one-vote, in order to prevent manipulation by the richer nations."
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"We are principally in agreement with the propositions made by the Republic of Istkalen and if a a development fund is created we would support expanding its aims to funding of education. We are also in support of the proposed administration for both institutions."
"On the other hand the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia will not partake in military organization as proposed by the Strathaen delegation." said the minister of industry and trade Květoslav Musil before returning his gaze on the banner that was displayed at the request of the Confederacy of North Diessen.
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Róise Ní Fiannachta MacLuinge :"We'd agree free trade and allowing businesses unlimited access is dangerous and against socialism. When we say reduced barriers we do not mean zero tariffs but where it is not an essential industry such as food or energy we lower the barriers to export goods and focus on specialisms perhaps a solution to this is to allow nations to basically set 2 or 3 key industries that they can protect outside of the energy, gas , steel and food sectors which one can always protect. Another possible alternative is perhaps work together as nations to develop joint companies that work to benefit the workers and not bosses or priavate business owners for example develop affordable but ethically produced technology companies and car companies for example that are jointly owned between states that want to participate as part of a Kiresile framework , hopefully international projects like this would reduce our reliance on the bourgeoisie companies from the dominant countries allowing us to reduce imports and reliance on them. Perhaps even put us all in a position to stop imports from them or drastically reduce them and stop exports of our resources to them meaning our companies get priority over resources from Kiresile countries. There is an economic war going on with Telum and ECON and we as countries of the people must win it. Its either co-operate or be absorbed by the cappitalist elites of Europe, we must win this economic war.Perhaps we coud even make private businesses face tariffs but co-operatives and state-owned enterprises or their equivlent government owned organisations face less barriers to encourage economies that benefit the people."
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Rikkalek sighed.
"All in attendance should understand that there is a wide diversity in the economic structures of those in attendance," he said. "This is not an anti-capitalist project; this is a project meant merely to improve self-sufficiency for the less well-off, to prevent political manipulation, particularly through financial means."
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"I object vigorously to the Strathean delegation's accusations of 'economic war' between members of the Telum Treaty, among which North Diessen proudly counts itself, and other nations in the region", Mueller announced, hoping to fan the flames ever so slightly, "We also fully agree with the Czech Slavian delegation that North Diessen will not partake in a military or defensive pact, nor will we surrender access rights, whether military or trade, as part of this conference."
Whispering to his minister, Ekrem asked "Palace approval for discussion of tariff lowering?" Arnum Blauberg could be seen texting vigorously, and showing Ekrem the reply he got. "What? 'You do you, xoxo - Artie' I guess that settles that." Taking the floor again, Ekrem Mueller said: "Thank you, president Rikkalek, for returning us to reality here. The Confederacy has no particular objections to lowering of trade tariffs between our nations, although we are slightly puzzled by the Strathean obsession with trade barriers, and how they could miraculously lead to more prosperity for everyone. If you can't produce much, you can't export much, no matter how many tariffs you lower.
"We thank the Istkalen delegation for their clarification on the joint fund idea. We would happily work with them to achieve the necessary regulations and protocols to achieve this plan, and we further agree that influence from outside actors would -- at least mostly... - be undesirable. I can think of a few major infrastructure projects for which the Confederacy would happily receive financial aid..."
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"We thank the delegation from North Diessen for their support regarding the joint fund," said Isztenn. "Regardless, moving on somewhat, we would like to discuss cooperation in the areas of research and education. Lowering the barriers needed for students to study in our respective countries is one path forwards; another, perhaps, would be also by making state-funded research - not those which are state secrets, of course - more accessible to all of our respective nations. Other ideas on this subject are welcomed."
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(OOC: OK. Sorry for my very late reply, irl is been very crazy as of late)
Yosainese Secretary of Finance Shinobu Takemoto replied in a soft spoken voice, the former accountant with now slightly greying hair, individual strands throughout his hairline "People, please. This talk of an economic war isn't helping anyone. While it is true that my nation is currently in ECON, well one of its founding members, we don't endorse or push any particular economic model of any kind. UD has their policies as well as Reitzmag as well as Yosai. But just looking past all of that the Federal Republic of Yosai doesn't officially label itself or endorse any economic model over another, if at all. What we should focus on is as the original purpose development for projects such as services, infrastructure development and so on. What we should be talking about is the mechanism that we should draft in order to ensure that whatever loan criteria or payment mechanisms benefit all members as well as having equal footing with all. Dividing nations in one camp or another isn't going to help the situation. However I do have one question, is there a mechanism in place for international dispute settlement in which nations of this body should settle thier disputes. Would that be the ECOJ? Or some kind of tribunal? The reason I ask is because with the changes of government and policy would clash with pre-existing agreements, which would be a given. We just want to know what the nature of such a dispute settlement would be."
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@BrumBrum @Czech-Slavia @North-Diessen @Yosai @Gadalland-and-Aspern @GANIA
Isztenn spoke again. "We have a draft agreement proposed; are there any issues with it before we move on, or are those gathered here ready to sign?"
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Searlait Mhic Cuairt Sgot: I think there is nothing objectionable. We will definitely sign this.
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We thank Ms Isztenn for drafting this agreement and are ready to sign today.
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We have no issues with this draft, and are ready to sign.
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"Like the delegation from North Diessen I'd also like to express my thanks to Ms. Isztenn, there are no objections from the side of the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia. Ratification will however depend on a domestic referendum."
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Those in agreement signed, bindingly, tentatively, or otherwise, the proposed treaty. The meeting then came to an end.
