His Imperial Highnesses Government of United Duchies Public Relations Department
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Moving Duchies Efficiently Report Outcomes
We are pleased as a government to announce we will be producing new standards for road and street specifications within United Duchies to move United Duchies more greenly and safely as well as efficiently and quickly in the future. The key reccomendations to be implemented from the report are as follows:
1:Automatic Green light for bikes and public transport unless there is a big group of pedestrians crossing
2:Smart traffic light systems to prioritise Public Transport and Bikes at major junctions as well as favour pedestrians with cars being the last vehicles to get a green light on a junction
3:Roads of a width of 8 Meters must include a two way protected bike lane and roads of 12 metres width or more must include a two way protected bike lane and a bus lane
4:Any oneway street must have a protected counterflow bike lane
5:Any road with 4 lanes must include a bus lane on either side if on a bus route and if of suitable width either a two way protected bike lane or two protected 1 way bike lanes
6:All urban streets except major arteries to be limited to 30 km/h (18.5MPH) speed limit and designed for such speeds with all urban arteries to be no more than 50 km/h(31 MPH) speed limit
7:All existing urban 6 lane roads must include a two way protected bike lane , and bus lanes in each direction
8:Street networks must be redesigned to ensure bikes always have the most direct routes over cars
9. Strict enforcement of at least 2,000 Dux Libra fine for blocking bus lanes, bike lanes and pavements with cars with a requirement for authorities to tow cars with 1 hour of a report of a car blocking a pavement , bike lane or bus lane as well as a 500 Dux Libra fine policed by camera for using a bus lane illegally
10. All bikes to have an visible registration number ,be
registered on a government national database and an insurance and have a yearly registration fee of 30 Dux Libra per year paid to Department of Transport fund for infrastructureThese measures have been shown to increase cycling and transport rates. We will also be making more pernament the 5,000 Dux Libra bike voucher for each household with each household entitled to this amount towards a car replacement Family Bike with 4 or more seats and space for a family shop. This should reduce the amount of trips needed to be conducted in a car and therefore ease congestion.
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Announcement on Anastasia City
After due consideration and review it has been decided by this government that Anastasia City shall be renamed Irmgardis City after 11th century saint from the Duchies known for his work among the poor. The immigration system shall grant existing Anastasians Duchian citizenship with the independent Anastasian visa programme scrapped for security reasons. Instead there shall be a sped up programme for refugees which would grant priority on houses in Anastasia with 50% of housing built in Anastasia and in any development reserved for immigrants with the rest being available to Duchians or residents of the city. The city shall be the first housing offered to refugees.There shall also be a change in governance with next years elections when these take effect. A new Protector that is selected by His Highness High Duke Nikolai III and approved by parliament shall be the final person to sign the laws in the Duchy and shall be able to appoint 6 members to the Imperial Senate with approval from the Irmgardis Assembly. Elections for the assembly will take place in May along with all local elections in the Duchies according to the existing voting methods. The changes are designed to increase stability and security while ensuring a thriving local democracy. We will work with the local government to implement the changes . Sections I, III and IV of the the Porterdam Treaty shall remain in effect.
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Statement on North Diessan and Artabonos Statement
We condemn utterly the out of proportion actions and statement by the Imminicus and North Diessan governments. We believe the actions we have taken against the dictatorial and terrorist government of Svarna Surya is justified and proportional. This is a government killing and torturing its own people in some of the worst ways imaginable and conducting a reign of terror against its community overseas including attempted assassinations which have killed over 5 Reitzmic children in the school as well as now piracy and kidnapping of crews. We could not let this security threat to Europe last any longer, we knew the time for action was now especially given the obvious lack of will power in Europe to sanction the only other route available. It seems Europe stands with the dictators of Europe which will only embolden dictators everywhere further.We also condemn the seizing of assets which will undermine confidence of all countries in the markets of Imminicus and North Diessan when any democratic nation acting in reasonable actions could have assets seized and even the citizens who are not related to the government. We advise against any Duchian citizens reporting to local police as they could become part of a hostage situation and instead reccomend all Duchian expats in North Diessan and Imminicus to return home as soon as is practically possible. We will provide accodomation in the Duchies if needed. We very much hope the situation can normalise soon.
John Peter Key , Prime Minister of United Duchies
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Talks for Peace
We the government of the United Duchies agree to hold talks with Neha Bhatavadekar upon the return of crew. We have also ordered our councillor James Mizrachi-Roscoe to withdraw the sanctions bill in the EU council if this occurs. We hope for a lasting peace that is good for Svarnans and Duchians and Reitzmics -
Change to citizenship system
Citizenship has changed to add a new type of citizenship. The current Pernament Citizenship remains the same and protected by law with no chance of revocation. A new type of citizenship called Probationary Citizenship shall be available which will last 5 year before being converted to a Pernament Citizenship with the following requirements:- You must have a valid residency visa
2.You must meet the points or asylum thresholds - You must pass the citizenship test and take the citizenship oath
4.You must live in United Duchies except for permitted exemptions such as representing the Duchies abroad or humanitarian jobs , or with a one time certificate to look after family abroad in an emergency - You must not commit a serious crime for 5 years such as but not limited to burglary, fraud , or sexual or violent crimes.
- You must not have obtained either your residency visa or Probationary citizenship in a fraudulent manner with deception including by omission of a fact that might have had your initial applications denied .
If you commit a crime or fraud within 5 years you will lose the citizenship no exceptions.Duchies will take no responsibility if you gave up your citizenship lose your Duchian one and end up stateless.
The granting of this citizenship is being made easier so immigrants can claim council housing , health benefits, voting rights or access to financial benefits. Previously these were unavailable until 5 years after you live in the country but as long as you meet the points requirements and pass the citizenship test you can now gain these with probationary citizenship. Note that probationary citizenship will not be available to those from countries that prohibit dual citizenship so as to avoid the worst potential of making you stateless.
- You must have a valid residency visa
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Announcement on Svarna Surya
We the Government of Svarna Surya ahead of talks are announcing the end of all sanctions on Svarnan officials with a total amnesty and legalisation of trade with Svarna Surya and the use of transport facilities for goods and people to Svarna Surya as a gesture of goodwill. We will talk on a package at upcoming talks. Its time to end this and move on however we will still be watching events , Svarna Surya should in future avoid intimidating people and killing people with secret services on ECON soil or indeed any foreign soil. That is not acceptable state behaviour. -
Announcement on European Funding Policy
We the Government of the United Duchies praise the Right Honourable Junker and his budget. This is the much needed funding for a green transition in Europe and to support the goals of food security in the EU. However we also recognise we are a big rich nation that can look after ourselves. Therefore we are ordering all Duchian agencies to be careful in funding bids to the EU to make sure there is enough in the pot for lower income nations in the EU. For this reason we are setting a cap in law on funding bids to the amount of 10% of the European Agricultural Fund , European Development Agency and European Arts Collaboration Fund. These caps shall be 3,743,900,000 , 4,760,010,000 and 146,812,509.50 Euros respectively from each fund. This is to ensure United Duchies doesn't drain more than it contributes and remains a net contributor to the EU as is only right for the richest nation in Europe to do so. -
Our position in Europe
We have asked James Mizrachi-Roscoe to pull back on policy proposals in Europe and only work on collaborative co-sponsored bills that put the European interest first forgoing the Duchian interest in order to work for the good of Europe. As part of this working in Europe for Europe policy that has been our stance for a while we will be seeking collaboration always and to pull back our influence in Europe. We seek not to be dictators of European nations and imperialists as many see the United Duchies right now as a nation who acts selfishly solely in the interests of the Duchies forcing a Duchian model on Europe but instead to reinforce our collaborative approach in Europe of looking out for the common European interest. It is not the role of our councillors and representitives to act or be seen to act in a selfish nationalistic self interested imperialist way in Europe and we appologise unreservedly for our military mistake of declaring war rashly and for appearing to be a destabiliser of the entire European continent and a nation seeking to control the council and European Union for its own ends. It was never our intention to promote anything but the common European interest and we invite nations of Europe to partner with us for glorious period of common European unity and policy making for the benefit of all Europeans. We are sorry for our previous perceived arrogance and bullying of the nations of Europe. -
Svarnan Reparations Payment
We have today transferred the first Rreparations payment to Svarna Surya of 20 Billion Euros from our government accounts.This is will be the first reparations payment as an act of goodwill that is unconditional. Further payments will be negotiated in the future at EU negotiations n conditions of reform in the area of human rights and democratic reforms and changes in behaviour of the Svarnan government overseas. We recognise the United Duchies , Reitzmag and the United Kingdom over reacted and destroyed peace in Europe over this issue and while still critical of Svarnan actions we recognise it was not our countries place to take part an imperialist regime change by war.We apologise and take primary responsibility for the messs to Europe and the Svarnan government for our actions.We call on the United Kingdom and Reitzmag governments to step up,man up and apologise for their actions also and step up on their reparations responsibilities. -
Government of United Duchies statement on asset seizure situation
The United Duchies government have frozen assets worth high hundreds of billions or Euros within United Duchies held by Inimican or North Diessan businesses benefiting from asset seizures or who are linked to the governments of those countries. We are giving a one month deadline before the assets frozen are seized and given to companies and Duchians who have lost property to the seizures and which the proceeds from the sale of will be given to companies to fund the diversification of their supply chains. We believe we have done enough to fix the Svarna Surya situation including being the only country to restrict the authorisation of troop movements only to ECON territories without approval from parliament by our constitution something which few countries have done.We also will be banning any businesses and individuals from North Diessan and Inimicus who are not on a refugee visa from working for companies in the Duchies or setting up and operating businesses in the country from February 16th . We will also be banning businesses from doing business with businesses in Inimicus and North Diessan and buying products from factories operating in Inimicus and North Diessan with some exceptions where it is absolutely necessary such as in Airbuses case. We do not wish for a trade conflict and hope that Inimicus and North Diessan can come to the table, they are valuable partners but not irreplacable, they should know that we want to cooperate and fix the situation but it requires them to return seized assets within the month. If nothing is done by February 16th any freezes on accounts and assets linked to businesses and individuals benefitting from seizures of Duchies assets or linked to the government of North Diessen and Inimicus will take effect and be given to victims of the the seizures.Duchies will protect businesses and investors in businesses in the Duchies from asset seizures abroad and ensure there is compensation in case of unreasonable asset seizures.
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Standardisation to Harmonized Tariff System Codes Act Format
We are pleased the Harmonized Tariff System Codes Act has passed to make doing international business easier. We understand the importance of easy and quick processing of parts and products in ports to reduce the costs of shipping by increasing efficiency. Therefore we will work on setting up a government customs system working with I.T partners within 6 months to generate codes for businesses for a small cost that are standardised under the Harmonized Tariff System Codes Act standardised HS Code system which will then be checked against at the ports and entry points for goods to make entry of cargo into and exit out of the country of goods quicker, we will look to be working with European partners to maybe even spread this out to many EU countries as a collaborative project with this being funded by fees from those requiring codes. This will hopefully make exporting and importing easier for the future. -
Statement on Situation in Gaddaland Aspern
We have updated the travel advice for Gaddaland to Aspern and now advise at least temporarily that all but essential travel is avoided to Gaddaland and Aspern. Furthermore we will not recognise the independence declaration without an official referendum result in favour of such a result that is shown to be legitimately won in a popular referendum that is conducted democratically. Furthermore even if such a referendum was to take place we would encourage negotiation between the two parties before any official separation. We hope this situation can be resolved in a democratic and peaceful manner. -
Statement on kidnap of Journalists by Asperninian authorities
We condemn the kidnap of RTD journalists and Yosainese merely performing their job and duties to report fairly, impartially and accurately on the stories on the ground for just doing their job. We call on Aspern to release the journalists with immediate effect and respect freedom of the press. If this does not happen within one week Aspern will be placed on a list of countries where it is banned to do business in or with. We will not tolerate the political arrests of our citizens for just doing their jobs and reporting on stories ongoing on the ground. -
Statement on Gaddaland and Aspern situation
We will as a government take up the Sertian offer of negotiating through them and a third party nation for the release of the kidnapped journalists from RTD after consultation with the families of the journalists. We are thankful for the offer and care shown by our Sertian friends. These negotiations will be jointly done with Yosai so as to ensure a resolution for both nations journalists families. -
Statement on Foreign Assistance and Development Programmes
We as of today will be removing any conditions on foreign assistance and development money beyond sustainable development and anti-corruption restrictions. This means the end of the policy requiring money to be spent on products made domestically in the country of the foreign assistance recipient. This has come after it has come to our attention it has made programmes using Duchian money harder to develop especially in smaller countries where there is not a manufactauring base at present. The policy was aimed at developing manufactauring bases however this has proven to be uneconomic and just resulted in less development in target countries. All aid will now be unrestricted and handed to trusted governments and organisations to spend how they wish using local knowledge and expertise.We will seek to set up a co-ordinated aid programme under ECON to more effectively pool foreign aid money from all ECON states and share adminstration costs of the funds among member states for more efficiency. -
Statement on Terror Attacks
We have today faced a brutal terror attack that was a cowardly attack on humanity. To kill innocent members of the public and target family events intentionally to kill children is a disgraceful disgusting act. We in the government are taking this very seriously. We at a COBRA meeting have decided the borders and airports will remain closed until Monday. We are setting up emergency checkpoints at stations around the country , all public events have been cancelled until Monday while we seek to make the public safe. We are urgently hunting down the perpatrators of this cowardly act and promise we will seek and get justice. We will stay strong and united as a nation and defeat these terrorists. There will be a review into the lowering of security recently and whether such a move was appropiate and if more security and arming of police are needed in the future.We do not wish to have a police form that is all armed as this is a barrier to public trust of police and against over 100 of years of tradition in our nation. However we recognise this may have to be revised following recent events.
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Istkalen situation
We do condemn the coup of a legitimate democratic government by the National Salvation Council and still refuse to recognise the NSC as the legitimate government. However we do believe the EU and Europe must proceed cautiously with its response. Sanctions risk making the poorest and most innocent Istkaleners pay the highest price while the government do not suffer or can evade the sanctions. We do not believe at this time that sanctions are the answer however we will leave the ultimate decision on the vote up to our councillour James Mizrachi-Roscoe who is independent of the government here in Cair Para. We do not believe the threshold typically used for United Duchies of a nation presenting a threat to United Duchies or its allies in ECON or citizens of ECON is currently the case. There has as of yet been no killings on foreign soil or intimidation of citizens on foreign soil that the United Duchies government is aware of so we do not believe as of yet sanctions are the appropiate response. Never the less we do call on the NSC to respect democratic norms and civil liberties for all including the LGBTQ in Istkalen and will consider asylum applications from Istkaleners. -
Statement on Spain and Telum Trade Situation
We condemn the antagonistic and dangerous interviews given by President Juncker that contain half truths and lies. The facts are Spain has had almost two years to come and negotiate the future trade relations as have Inimicus and North Diessan but all three have fully ignored the calls for talks to settle on a stable zero tariff and low trade barrier arrangement with visa free arrangements. The transition arrangements clock ran out forcing us by law to introduce 10% tariffs at a minimum as is our standard tarriff rate without treaty. We would also like to point out the tariffs on the Inimcus and North Diessan are 35% and not 50% as claimed by Juncker.We have also called for Inimicus and North Diessan to meet to discuss issues and reverse the seizure of assets from Duchians a racist and xenophobic act that targeted people based on nationality. We therefore had to act and freeze innitially for 3 months and then seize assets of those with links to the governments of North Diessan and Inimicus to compensate our companies for their losses to the North Diessan and Inimicus seizures. These two countries have refused to come to the table and talk over any issues that exist. We are keen to resolve all diplomatic issues through talks and Spain , Inimicus and North Diessan are free at any time to meet and resolve issues and resume the zero-tariff, and zero visa arrangements as well as education exchange progammes we had under Telum. We are not the tension causers here, we have given an open invitation to resolve issues if Spain , Inimicus and North Diessan don't take the oppurtunity there is nothing more we can do.
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Unification of Duchies Quality Standards
We are proud to announce we have unified the miriad of quality assurance schemes in Duchies to four quality assurance schemes for products that garuntee the world leading Duchian standards in sustainability, quality , labour and environmental standards. The schemes will be run by the national bodies of the Duchies Federation of Manufacturing and Duchies Association of Farmers in conjunction with sector specific organisations and environmental groups. The new logos are available to use on any products that meet the standards made by Duchian or foreign companies selling in the United Duchies. The marks will garuntee the the product is long lasting and made to the highest safety , environment and sustainability standards saving you money in the long run and making sure you contribute to the ethical economy. Look for these marks on goods going forward to garuntee you get the best products money can buy made to world renowned Duchian manufactauring quality standards.Find out more HERE. -
Change in Vehicle Tax systems for 2024
While we welcome the widespread adoption of BEV vehicles we are concerned with higher sales of heavier less efficient EV models especially that of crossovers and their impact on the road surface maintenance bill. we have therefore decided the vehicle tax will be split into two ways of calculating vehicle tax. Petrol and petrol hybrids will be calculated the same system as previous with the new rates of:Band Co 2 per km 2024 Euros 1 0-100 g co2 per km £133 €206.31 2 101-140 g co2 per km £333 €515.76 3 141-160g co2 per km £449 €696.28 4 161-180g co2 per km £606 €939.98 5 181-200g co2 per km £819 €1,268.97 6 201-220 co2 per km £1,105 €1,713.11 7 221-240 co2 per km £1,492 €2,312.70 8 241-260 g co 2 per km £2,014 €3,122.14 9 261-280 g co 2 per km £2,719 €4,214.89 10 281-300g co 2 per km £3,671 €5,690.10 11 301g- 350g co 2 per km £4,956 €7,681.64 12 351g + co 2 per km £5,556 €8,611.80 From this year BEV , Biofuel and Hybrid Vehicles will have road tax calculated under a new weight based method:
Weight class KG Tax Dux Libra Euros 1 0-1500 £133.00 €206.15 2 1501-1750 £250.00 €387.50 3 1751-2000 £350.00 €542.50 4 2001-2250 £500.00 €775.00 5 2251-2500 £600.00 €930.00 6 2501-2750 £1,000.00 €1,550.00 8 3001-3500 £2,150.00 €3,332.50 9 3501-4000 £2,450.00 €3,797.50 10 4001-4500 £2,950.00 €4,572.50 11 4501-5000 £3,350.00 €5,192.50 12 5001+ £3,850.00 €5,967.50 The move should hopefully balance out emissions and road damage factors.
