The Armada (Spain-United Kingdom Summit)
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RAF Northolt
London, United Kingdom
14th February 2022The Spanish Presidential plane landed in RAF Northolt after a one-hour-long flight from the capital of the Kingdom, Madrid, to the United Kingdom's heart, London. It was the first summit between these two countries, with a huge historical background and a vast number of traditions and events, that made both countries unique and attractive to each other. A summer without British tourists in Spain, taking over places like Benidorm or Magaluf was not a proper summer; nor was without Spanish tourists in the search for cooler temperatures in the United Kingdom.
Jesús Aguilar fasterly got out of his Presidential Plane, this time being the Falcon Dassault 900, and got into the motorcade that had been prepared by the Spanish Embassy in London. On the way towards the number 10 of Downing Street, Aguilar reviewed with his secretary, Carlos, what he was going to speak about: "There are a few topics to talk about, actually: defence, trade, transport, travel... I have a feeling this will be a pretty long summit, but that a good outcome will come out of it. Also, London is a city that offers a lot of things, and has a big cultural agenda. Did you know what a man who is tired of London, is tired of life?"
Downing Street
London, United KingdomThe motorcade parked in front of the gate of Downing Street, and Jesús Aguilar came out. He, for the first time, breathed the air of the British capital city, looked around Whitehall and then, to the prestigious Downing Street, which he walked into. He reached the door, and there was the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, waiting for him. Both men shook hands, and Aguilar spoke: "Ms. May, nice to meet you! How are you today? It is a surprisingly nie day in London, isn't it? Some of my relatives that had travelled here told me the weather was not as good as in Spain, but today the sun's shining and there's a nice temperature. This city definitely has everything."
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Emily heard the Spanish approach. She got ready for them. The ministers gathered into the main hallway. Ms. Thornberry shook Aguilar's hand.
"Welcome to Britain," Emily said. "Would you like a tour or get on with it?"
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"A tour? Sounds like a nice idea!" Aguilar cheered. Theresa and Jesús might have just known eachothers, but a tour seemed like a nice idea. When the President got led to a black car, he decided to open the car's door for the British Prime Minister as a sign of courtesy, and he added: "After you, Ms. May". The tabloids journalists, who somehow were also allowed to be inside Downing Street, could not believe what they were seeing: "where is the Bridguilar bromance?! We need to convince Bridges and Aguilar now!" some of them said.
Both the British Prime Minister and the Spanish President started their tour around London: first they went through the Houses of Parliament, heading to Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, close to which they turned around and went back to Whitehall, reaching Trafalgar Square in two minutes. Their route then continued towards the surroundings of Leicester Square, from where they kept going to the Soho, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus, where Aguilar felt amazed by the size of the LED screens showing different adverts from several companies. The car kept going, taking Regent Street and turning into Oxford Street, heading towards Holborn and the City of London. The trip using the car ended next to the Town Hall, after crossing the Tower Bridge, where two bodyguards were waiting for the mandataries with 2 bikes.
"That was such an amazing road trip, Theresa! And now, a little bit of cardio to complete the journey, I definitely should have brough some sporting clothes. Had you done anything similar to this with any other international leader?" Both got on the bikes and started riding them towards Westminster Bridge, which they crossed back heading to Downing Street. During the entire tour, both leaders got to know eachother better and talked about their families and their lives. Jesús had definitely been able to find a friend in the United Kingdom, although the fun was over for now. Both arrived back into Downing Street, where the Spanish President asked for a British tea, as he was thirsty. After sipping it, he spoke:
"No doubts that was one of the best tours I have ever taken around an European Capital, Theresa. Thank you for this awesome experience. Sadly, now it is time to get into business. What would you like to start with?"
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"I'm so glad you are satisfied," May said when they returned to Downing Street. She sat down together. Theresa felt comfortable and turned to Aguilar.
"What do you want to start with?" Theresa asked.
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Aguilar smiled hearing the British Prime Minister's answer, and then thought what the first affair to talk about could be. He suddenly remembered about the offer his advisers had talked to him about, and that could pretty much fit with British interests. Aguilar, who liked to be pretty formal when he had to speak about important business, got a file from his suitcase and gave it to Theresa, to the speak to the Conservative Party leader:
"First of all, I have thought it would be a good idea to speak about Defence. As you know, the Kingdom of Spain has several reliable partners and we believe the United Kingdom could become one of them, specially for the military capacities and power it has. When it comes to equipment, we are interested on reaching a deal to adquire units of the F35-B and some Vanguard Class submarines, which are crucial for our development programmes when it comes to the military.
I have also thought on offering you the possibility of installing two or three military bases in your country, as we regard you as a potential ally of Spain that could aid and help us in the future, just like our partners in the Treaty of Telum. We were thinking of having a base in Ireland, another close to Aberdeen and the last one in one of the islands in front of Liverpool. The Spanish Minister of Defence, Mr. Pedro Baños, has also told me that, if you accept this offer, the Spanish Command for the Mid-Atlantic will be located here, which means your nation is geostrategically valuable for us. The Command could also absorb the Central Europe command, thought that requires time to confirm. This is, by the way, pretty sensible information at the moment, and any leak would put in risk many things, incluiding our sovereignty.
Speaking of sovereignty, I would like to inform you that the Spanish Government is planning to end the dispute over the Strait of Adventuranza close to the end of the month. We feel this is a necessary step to give to prove Spain advocates for peace and good diplomatic relationships, if this was not clear enough yet", he laughed slightly.
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"We would be happy to allow bases in the Isles of Man and Wight. There we can help with maintenence. Vanguard templates are a no-go but we can offer the Astute template. We hope Adventuranza is peacefully resolved," Theresa replied.
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Aguilar smiled, he knew he had asked for more he could have probably been given, but the news about the F35-B were enough for his satisfaction. Nonetheless, he would have to leave the submarines affair pending until he had a wider range of possibilities to contemplate. The Spanish President spoke to Theresa, once again:
"That is awesome, Ms. May; thank you very much. Concerning submarines, I will review the offer along with other possible options that the Spanish Government already has over the table, I hope that does not disturb you. When it comes to Adventuranza, it will be done by peaceful means and never retorting to violence, we plan to start a new era of cooperation and good-neighbouring principles with the Yosaians and put an end to the pointless conflict the region has been following for months. The location of the bases are perfect, and our military will get everything ready as soon as possible."
Aguilar smiled and drank from his tea. He now considered travel would be an awesome topic to speak about, even more when plenty of British tourists travelled to Spain every year and visited cities like Benidorm or Magaluf. The Spanish President knew that the United Kingdom was an important nation, whose potential was enormous, and with a lot of relevance for Spanish businesses.
"I am wondering if you would like to speak about a Free Travel agreement. As you know, lots of British people visit my country every year, and the same happens with your country and Spanish people. I believe that we should make things easier for them, and instead of having to go through visa on arrival procedures and that boring stuff not even myself likes, even if I am a fan of paperwork -he laughed- we could give them the chance to travel freely between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain. Have you ever been to Spain?"
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"I personally have not but many of our staff have. That and visas for tertiary education would be most agreeable," Theresa replied. "We also would like to offer corporate tax break for Spanish businesses."
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"Well, that is not a worry Theresa, I would like to invite you to the Camino de Santiago this summer, maybe other foreign leaders could join us, and we could do it together. Have you ever heard about it? Galicia is celebrating a Xacobeo year, which is a special year for many catholics that make their way through the Camino de Santiago to the Galician capital city, Santiago de Compostela. It is a very curious path, and it has some attrative backgrounds that you will surely find interesting. So, what do you think?
Going back to business, I agree with everything you have proposed. Concerning corporate tax, I do not know if the United Kingdom would like to go a step further and maybe reach a free trade deal with us?", the President asked. He planned to ask Mikaela too when he had the chance, and maybe Emperor Artabanos and the Caribbean leaders could join them on their way. Even, who knows, President for Life Reiserová could make her stellar appearance there! It was still a much non-planned event, but if there was a massive party in Ibiza which ended up in the kidnap of the Derectan PM by a Red Croatian citizen, why could not this happen?
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Theresa looked at Aguilar with a smile.
"I better talk to M. That offer sounds lovely," she answered. "I am a fan of Coca-Cola and red wine."
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"You will be able to have some taste of the best red wine in the European Union if you join me this summer -the Spanish President laughed slightly-, as the Camino de Santiago goes through La Rioja if I am not mistaken. From me, that would be nearly all. Do you know if British airlines will increase their flights to Spain this summer? And would you like to discuss anything else?"
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"I think not," Theresa said.
The Kingdom of Spain