Emerita Augusta Summit (Spain-Lusitania and Vettonia) July 28th
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28th July 2022
Palacio de la Moncloa
Madrid, SpainIt was yet another hot day in the capital city of the Kingdom of Spain, Madrid. Just 4 days ago, Jesús Aguilar, had won yet another general election, and cleared the way for a four year long term without any party conditioning his Government's actions and policies. The President woke up early, but not earlier than his son Asier who was playing in his bedroom with a little car. The kid stopped playing and had a surprise gesture drawn on his face when he saw his father, to whom he ran in excitement: "Good morning daddy", he said, kissing Aguilar on his cheek. "Good morning Asier, why aren't you sleeping?", the President asked back. "I didn't want to sleep anymore!", the kid argued.
After helping Asier to get dressed, father and son went downstairs to the kitchen, where a member of the service was already cooking the President's breakfast. "Good morning Laura", Jesús said. Laura greeted the two back and handed the press to the Spanish President, that he read with interest. While his breakfast was getting ready, his son Asier had already been served his, made of a Colacao and a sandwich made of pechuga de pavo. When Asier finished, he was due to leave for the living room to watch TV, but he felt curious about what his father had to do today: "Daddy, what are you doing today?", he asked, with a slight hope of playing with him more than he usually did. "I have to travel abroad today, darling", answered back the President, who gave a kiss to his son before standing up. Aguilar said goodbye to Laura and Asier, and exited the private residency towards the heliport.
Today, the trip to Torrejón de Ardoz airbase would be different: the motorcade vehicles were unavailable because they were undergoing maintenance, so the President had to walk to the other side of the complex, where the heliport was located. Laura offered to call a member of the service to take him there in a golf cart, but the President refused arguing he had to do some sport. However, halfway through his walking journey, he felt repentant about no accepting the golf cart lift. 5 minutes later, and with 23ºC, he arrived at the heliport where he was met by the pilot. He got into the helicopter and they departed towards Torrejón, where the Airbus A321neo was waiting for him. He greeted the base bosses before getting into the plane, and 25 minutes later, the President took off towards Emerita Augusta.
Presidential A321neo
Somewhere over AfricaDuring his flight, one of the advisers of President Aguilar told him about the lastest news in Lusitania and Vettonia. Jesús wondered why the head of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia had insisted on having additional security on this trip, something he accepted.
"Mr. President, the extra security that will be deployed during this trip has a big reasoning behind it: in the last few days, Lusitania and Vettonia has undergone a huge political crisis: their Governor-General resigned with the entire cabinet, leaving the country with no government... at all."
"Who is on power now? And what about the society, are they behaving? Even though I do not think so, when you have transported a special armoured vehicle from one of our bases in Leagio", asked Aguilar, quite interested on the fact that, as it had been described, he was going to land on a country that was on the brink of chaos.
"The President of the Republic, Elisa Ubrique, appointed what she called a 'national salvation' government, led by a lawyer called... Camilo Guterres. And about their society's reaction, well... Conservatives and far-right extremists have taken to the streets in several cities around the country and protesting about it. By the way, do not mention Ubrique's hair, seems that it has caused some controversy online", the advisor answered back.
Aguilar acknowleged the situation, taking some notes on a little notebook he usually kept on his trousers' pocket. "Oh, I was not intending to mention her hair. We all know the most beautiful EU hair award goes to Archbishop Kligenberg, there is no doubt about it", he added.
A few minutes later, the pilot announced that they would be landing pretty soon in Lusitania and Vettonia's capital city airport, where the special car and a motorcade were expecting the Spanish President. The A321neo landed swiftly, and Aguilar observed thorugh the window: nice weather, and the airport was not burning... at the moment. The plane came to a stop at the designated stand, and Aguilar exited the plane putting on his sunglasses and being hit by the heat of Africa. "Ah, the African heat...", he thought, while going dowstairs.
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The Lusitania and Vettonia airport was armoured for the occasion. President Aguilar is received on the tarmac by his counterpart: Camilo Guterres, Governor General. The mandatary's bearing was solemn, in keeping with the historic moment he was experiencing in domestic and foreign policy. After the ceremonial greetings, they head for the caravan of official cars that will drive to the meeting venue: the Vanega Palace.
Lucas Salor International AirportThe motorcade leaves Lucas Salor International Airport on the A-1, soon after leaving the huge roundabout, adorned with statues of all kinds, which serves as the entrance to the city, and drives along Republic Avenue towards Union Square. The grand avenue is silent. There are only police and people leaning out of balconies, they have decided not to take any risks.
The Vanega PalaceAt Union Square, a former market square that has been converted into the political centre of the city, they are met by Elisa Ubrique at the gates of the Lusitanian and Vettonian Government Headquarters, which, unlike the Head of State, is in the centre of the city. Under heavy guard, they made their way inside the palace. The summit is of vital importance for the foreign policy of the country, which has been very closed to the outside world since the dictatorships, and represents a further step in its process of opening up. It is the first bilateral summit since the recent negotiations to join the European Union.
Finally, they arrive at the Empire Room, a room built by King Hugo I as part of his private quarters. Since the advent of the Third Republic, it has been used to receive foreign leaders.
The Empire Room -
Aguilar shook hands with Guterres when he finally touched Lusitanian ground: "Mr. Guterres, it is nice to meet you", he said, smiling. The Spanish President was impressed by the solemnity of the welcoming ceremony, but that feeling changed to a surprise gesture when he got into the motorcade and saw nobody walking by the streets. "Seems like they have wanted to guarantee security", Jesús thought, looking by the window on his private motorcade, in which he travelled alone.
The motorcade came to a stop in the popular Union Square, or that is what he had been told about it. A guard opened the door and there she was, Elisa Ubrique with her Trending Topic hair. Aguilar also shook hands with her, some pictures were taken by the press service and the 3 proceeded into the Palace. "Why don't they speak?", Aguilar kept thinking. Maybe the ongoing crisis was way too big and kept the Lusitanian leaders's minds busy and they could not think of any topic to bring up. Or it was not a thing that was correct to do according to their traditions. Whatever it was, Jesús stayed silent and smiled, one of the most popular and globally understood gestures to express gratitude.
Aguilar took a seat and got a few papers from his briefcase, that had been brought by one of his advisers. He decided to speak, mostly because if the summit would be silent, it would not lead anywhere. He drank some water first. "Ms. Ubrique, Mr. Guterres, it is a huge pleasure to be the first international leader who visits your country after it joined the European Union. This room has quite of a background, doesn't it?
If you do not mind, I would like to start speaking about business opportunities in our countries. I have heard Lusitania and Vettonia has a strong oil industry, and more importantly, a Rare Earth Metals industry. I will be honest with you, while we have managed to secure our REM supply from Czech Slavia, every REM producer except your country has joined a cartel that has some... threatening consequences. We have good relations with mostly everyone that makes part of it, but we have a lack of trust on 2 out of the 4 members that form it. As a hint, I will tell you they are not Czech Slavia or Istkalen, their leaders are great friends of mine! Would you be willing to sell part of your REM to Spain? When it comes to the oil industry, some companies have shown interest on having some presence here.
Spain has a lot to offer: we export great food, we have a nice weather mostly all year long, and we have a very strong industrial sector. I always like to link trade and travel, due to globalization making them dependent if you rely on tourism. We would look forward to a free trade and travel agreement with you."
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After entering the palace, the situation did indeed relax somewhat. With everyone seated and settled, it was Ubrique, as representative of the state, who began to speak.
"The pleasure is ours, Mr Aguilar. Not since the time of the First Republic have we had such an... active foreign policy. You are in King Hugo I's former private dining room. It has been transformed into a room for private receptions."
Guterres had been silent throughout that first part. First a lot was on his mind, then he was mulling over the Spanish President's words. Finally, he decided to speak.
"Indeed, our oil industry is possibly the most solid we have. Lusitania and Vettonia is a country open to new ventures and opportunities. We would be delighted to welcome as many companies as want to come if it is done through the procedures set out in recent legislation. Fortunately... clears his throat a little, looking at Ubrique the liberals are not too much of a hindrance when it comes to opening businesses. I must also say that our intention is to collaborate in the expansion of LiquOIL around the world, I hope you understand."
"As for REM, I have to confess that I am not the foremost expert on the subject. But an offer like yours is hard for us to refuse. We would like to get to know you in depth.
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"That is pretty much acceptable, Mr. Guterres. LiquOIL is welcomed to the Kingdom of Spain, and I am sure that the Spanish companies interested in starting operations in Lusitania and Vettonia will follow the local regulations, as they are everywhere in Europe where they operate. When it comes to Rare Earth, as a matter of fact, they are used in rechargeable batteries for electric and hybrid cars, advanced ceramics, computers, DVD players, wind turbines, catalysts in cars and oil refineries, monitors, televisions, lighting, lasers, fiber optics, superconductors and glass polishing. The offer would consist on a deal that would lead Spain to become the major REM trade partner of your country, and in exchange Spain would agree to a free trade area with you. What do you say?", Aguilar asked, trying to get an affirmative answer from the Lusitanians.
"If you do not mind, I also want to speak about travel: I have been informed about your Government's attempts to enlarge the tourism industry in Lusitania and Vettonia, and the promotional poster that you have done to attract tourism has shown up on my Twitter feed a few times, you must have paid a lot! -Aguilar laughed slightly- That is why Spain is looking forward for a free travel agreement with you.", the Spanish President said.
He was about to let the Lusitanians speak when he remembered that there were some conditions to it: "oh, I nearly forgot about some remarks I must do to the possible free trade and travel agreements: Spain would like to keep the ability to close its borders in case of an emergency or conflict; and when it comes to trade, to perform checks if something supicious is found and also health checks on food. You would also be able to do the same when it comes to products that came from Spain. Are these conditions acceptable, Mr. Guterres and Ms. Ubrique?", Jesús inquired, and drank a bit of water.
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Guterres and Ubrique nodded in agreement. Ubrique then spoke, leaving his Head of Government speechless.
"We think it is appropriate. We don't have as good a rare earth extraction industry as we have an oil industry. But with demand and a little help from this government they can be a suitable trading partner for Spain."
"About tourism said Guterres, trying to do what Orato didn't do: take the lead, that the government is run by him Yes, a free movement of people agreement would help a lot. Free movement allows for more travellers, and that has a direct impact on the economy. I don't want to kid myself, we have a closed sea, there will be no professional surfers interested. said laughing But as a sun and sand destination we are a safe option. And then the desert allows us to invest in other tourist attractions.
Regarding the conditions. We understand that they are totally acceptable, that's why we accept your proposal to have the same closing rights. Every country should have control over its own border".
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"Nice to hear. Spain is also willing to invest on the Rare Earth Metals industry if it is needed, so just let me know if your Government would like to accept that", Aguilar said, satisfied, as he had managed to secure a very important deal that would secure REM supply for Spain if the cartel ever became toxic or whatever. As it was a first summit, Aguilar did not have anything else on his agenda, but he decided to ask his courterparts:
"Well, I have got to the end of my agenda... Is there any topic you would like to discuss today?", the President asked, while he finished his glass of water. It was a hot day after all in Lusitania and Vettonia, and he needed to remain hydrated.
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"For us it is a real honour that it is Spain that is inaugurating this new era of diplomatic relations. We would like to remain in close contact with your government in the near future to discuss possible new bilateral or multilateral issues with other states".
"From our side there is not much more. If you would like to know more about this country, do not hesitate to visit, ask questions, read.... The usual" laughs the famous woman with the dyed hair.
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Aguilar laughed too, and smiled. His adviser brought a document, which was a joint declaration that would be published later on alongside some others that the Spanish Government had pending to publish. "Well, I think this leads to the end of the summit! Thank you very much for this welcoming and for the nice atmosphere we have had during this meeting. And I hope to see you soon.", said the Spanish President, shaking hands with both Lusitanian leaders.
Aguilar then left the Palace and went back to the airport, where the Airbus A321neo was waiting for him. The President climbed the stairs that led to the plane's door, and had a final look at the airport and the visible landscapes. He said goodbye to Africa, his photographer entered behind him and the plane took off without any inconvenients, making its way back to Madrid. "It has been a very productive meeting", Aguilar told his wife, to whom he was speaking on the phone.
The summit was over, and Spain had a new friend in Africa.
The Kingdom of Spain