Fourth European Union Leaders Summit
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Watanabe sighed and rolled his eyes while replying to James Mizrachi-Roscoe "I don't know. I'm guessing it's a cultural thing."
He then greeted Edutitalle Dina politely.
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Aguilar looked back for a minute to have a discreet look at the face of John Peter-Key, who seemed to be uncomfortable and annoyed with the great, stylish entrance himself, Donald and Jean-Claude had perfectly performed. He loved to see how the two leaders he did not have a good relationship with were annoyed for his presence, as that meant they were feeling jealous, or that was what Mikaela was supposed to say in situations like this.
He was also lucky to have a reason to turn around, as Parineeti Begum-Bhatavadekar approached him. Both leaders had never met before, and Aguilar took the chance as a gift fallen from the sky: "Ms. Begum-Bhatavadekar, nice to meet you! I would like to congratulate you for your electoral victory, now that I have the chance to do it in person, and for the great progress your nation has made in democratic matters. This might not be the forum to make business, though, but I am sure our diplomatic team could arrange one soon. May I ask you if those Huriyians on your southern border are giving you as much trouble as they gave to us?", the President inquired to start some sort of conversation between the group of leaders he had formed around him.
Just when the Svarnan leader had finished her answer, Edutitalle Dina popped up and both got involved in a hearty handshake: "Ms. Dina, it is a pleasure to see you once again this year, was the trip alright?", Jesús briefly asked. Then, the Premier Commissioner, Jean-Claude Juncker, approached the Sertian representative, to whom he wanted to speak after greeting with two kisses, one of Juncker's lovely ways of saying 'hello' to people: "Councillor, nice to see you around here! I thought Mr. Cranst was attending the summit".
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Keir and Anthony smiled when they saw Aguilar. The personal relationship between them was pretty friendly.
"Buenos tardes, Senor Presidente. Como esta usted?" Anthony asked warmly.
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"Mr. Juncker and Mr. Aguilar, it is good to see you again after so long. I am doing fine. How about you?" Mouri-Kudo exclaimed happy to see them again after a while.
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Given the relative proximity between Ineland and Europolis, and the Inelandic governments' constant bet on close-to-carbon-neutral means of transportation, Minister-President Merckx and his entourage opted for rail as their mean to get to the European capital for the leaders' summit. The previous months, internal issues had kept Kasper apart from EU affairs. However, an occasion such as the leaders' summit required of his presence. Something which he, honestly, didn't dislike due to his enjoyment of those little openings for hallway diplomacy. After the 7 hour long trip, the presidential train finally entered Europolis' Central Station where a reception to the delegation by the Inelandic representation to the EU was due to take place.
After a brief drive around the city, Kasper and his entourage finally arrived to the venue of the summit. Most of the other leaders had already arrived by then, which gave the Inelanders the opportunity for your usual, glamourous late arrival.
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The place where the summit was held in Europolis.
Harland managed to keep a good face and continued the usual greetings. Right after he had the short conversation with Crofton, Premier Juncker had come alongside Aguilar, the Spanish president, and Tusk, the Spanish councillor. The maximalist exhibit of influential Spanish politicians seemed to strike a nerve with the Duchian delegation, as Harland overheard Key complain to Watanabe. He was inclined to agree with him but held himself from entering the conversation to keep a sense of neutrality.
He did not count how many countries had come. Not that it mattered. As the clock struck twelve, Harland realized it was time to quit it and commence with the rest of the summit. After announcing the venue that they may be seated, he started his speech, hoping no further entrances would be made: "Dear leaders and other representatives of the member states of the European Union, I want to express my gratitude to all of you that took the time to come here for the fourth European Union Leaders Summit."
"My colleague, our Premier, Jean-Claude Juncker, commenced the first summit of this kind back when he was in my position, and it is an honour to continue this tradition. This event highlights the commission's commitment to reach out to the member states that provide for the European Union and make the foundations of it. It also emphasises the commission's commitment to creating a platform to produce an honest and productive conversation, appropriately exchanging opinions and viewpoints."
"We would like to emphasize that every voice matters here. The concerns and thoughts that you voice here will be used to create the path that we, the commission, will go in the future. With all that said, I would like to invite our Premier Commissioner, Jean-Claude Juncker, to give the opening speech."
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Aguilar answered the questions from Keir, Anthony and Ran at the same time: "I am good, thanks for your interest! It is nice to see you all once again, and I am impressed by your excellent Spanish once again, Anthony. Seems like Keir is also learning, you two have an amazing level. By the way, Ms. Mouri-Kudo, I know that Ms. Truss words have caused you some problems in Leagio... Sorry for the inconvenients that woman caused. If there is anything I or the Spanish Government can do to fix it or help to increase the Lahaye's Government proposals concerning Leagioan security, tell me and we will get into it", Aguilar said.
Juncker also answered he was feeling good, after having shown up on the Council the day before. Then, Harland decided it was time to enter, and he stood on his side to enter the meeting room together. He listened carefully, and clapped his colleague when he finished, then hugged him before approaching the lectern from which he would deliver, once again, a speech to European leaders.
"Good afternoon Internal Affairs Commissioner, European leaders.
Thank you, Wirt, for the great speech you have given today as Internal Affairs Commissioner, and also as a friend of mine for the rest of my life. With that said, I would like to extend my welcoming to the European leaders and Councillor that, today, have decided to come here and show up in what I believe to be the most important forum of the Union, this summit. Without your cooperation, without your attendance, holding summits like these would be impossible.
It is not new to everyone that the European Union is at a crossroads, in a very special time of its life. For the first time in years, we can see how tensions between states have lowered down, while tensions on the European level have increased within member states' borders and concerning legislative action in the Council. The European Commission is a neutral body, but under my Premiership, I have set a precedent for the years to come: we will always stand with our member Governments in case of armed civil conflict within their territory, not supporting rebels or Coups d'Etat. The insurgency that has divided Gadalland and Aspern into two parts, Sertia and Aspern, is an example of this: Councillor Dina, Europe and this Commission stands with your Government, your people and your country.
But this is not the unique problem our Union has, as Councillors are starting to use the Council as a sort of national parliament to force nations to adapt policies using European-unlimited power, policies that may have worked in their society but that others may reject. When I ran for Premier Commissioner, I pledged to protect the cultural differences between nations and to avoid legislation that hurt these differences, as well as other differences that makes us all unique. The European Union cannot be used to impose diplomatic solutions via Acts passed on the European Council, it cannot be used to impose someone's criteria on an issue on others relying on a majority that is unable, through the use of bilateral or multilateral forums, to end with what they might consider an issue but others consider something necessary. The European Union is suppossed to help people, not to generate conflict between Governments that may end up on departures from our Union. Getting this right is one of the issues we all need to undestand today.
A new concept of European Union must be discussed sooner or later, discussions in which we need to decide what the Union of the future will look like: if the European Union is willing to move towards a joint area of free movement or not, if we want a single market or not, if we want to introduce panregional taxes or not. However, this things must be optional if we want our Union to continue existing, as some areas require broad agreements per Treaty and not a general standard. Thinking the opposite choice is a good idea, using the Council to feel like a sort of God and being able to force policies and taxes on States that once rejected ideas that are part of 'sensible areas' is just laying the first stone to destroy our Union.
I hope the summit is productive and that the atmosphere does not become tense, but collaborative. That is the only way to give a step towards the future and unity between us all. Once again, thank you for coming.
Thank you".
Jean-Claude Juncker then went back to his seat, with a rumbling ovation being given to him.
The Kingdom of Spain
His Majesty the King, Felipe VI
President Alberto Núñez-Feijóo
Councillor and Council Speaker Donald Tusk -
John Peter Key listened to the speeches but he wasn't too impressed, to say adding new acts and legislation was using the council to destroy the Union was ridiculous to him. The point of the council was to settle international affairs and increase standardisation in key areas.
He got up and spoke "Thank you both for your invitation to discuss affairs of Europe and how its working for the nations but I have to respectfully suggest that its not working for the nations of Europe or the citizens. The EU simply doesn't have enough harmonisation in key areas like trade and consumer protections making business across the continent more difficult we'd like to see far more policy of this sort to have a set of consumer, repair, quality and trade standards across Europe so something passing in one country will pass in all of Europe and consumers will be protected throughout Europe. I would also like to see reform in administration, we have put in a bid for a Cycle Superhighway in the Duchies, it fully meets sustainable development goals , value for money and enhancing mobility for citizens yet Juncker here saw fit not understanding Duchies transport situation and expressed preferences and sentiment to vote against it and not only that but two haven't voted yet on the proposal stalling in indefinitely.
This centralisation is meaning its almost impossible to get funds quickly or decisions that make sense as the officials deciding have no idea of the local context and it stops funds getting out of the EDA budget to actually being used. So not as far as I know not a single Euro of development funding has gone to actual projects due to this combination of factors. I know my councillour is due to propose an amendment to devolve the granting of funds to national boards with each nation being given a allocation based on need and population. I hope that the commission can support this move to make the EDA fund actually effective and functioning and remove barriers to receiving the funding and the Eurocracy damaging the delivery of funds. I want to make clear this is not an attempt to undermine the EU but actually make it effective so those who know the local context are making the grant decisions and the money is actually getting out efficiently. Of course fraud or waste is a concern which is why audits and complaint system is being proposed with a payback mechanism through domestic court orders if a project is found to be fraudulant.
I furthermore wish to see an EU which puts up legislation and backs legislation that protects consumer rights fully throughout Europe sets trade standards to make trade easier and make sure consumers are getting good quality goods and have basic rights no matter where they buy from in Europe giving them confidence to shop around the continent boosting competition with these standards decided by committees and boards made up of 1 person from every member state in Europe appointed by member states. I do however not want social policies touched in EU law for the main part except on basic human rights as it is important to still respect national cultures and differences or in Duchies case differences between the Duchies themselves rather than impose a European social view on the continent. We also need to finally see standardisation of a minimum environmental protection plan for the continent be it through treaty or laws , the environment cannot wait another 10 years for us to get our act together, frankly the auto-centric consumerist economy of today is not sustainable and if we don't have a plan and agreement to get away from it within 10 years people will die , millions will lose their homes and millions if not 10's of millions will be plunged into poverty and potentially famine which could cause war and insecurity around the continent. I'm sure you'll all agree this should be priority and we need to prevent this situation and pass an agreement at all costs.
I do agree with common markets and trade areas being opt in and common visa , free movement zones being opt in. Control of borders in this way is essential in my oppinion so am with your views on that .
One thing I do reject is using the council to act like God is going on, the councils jobs is to set some standards and frankly maritime standards of who owns what piece of ocean and the resources underneath is vital so as to prevent disputes and potential conflict points we only need to look at the situations in the Caspian , Gibraltar and the Red Strait to see why this is so important , without them its all too easy to get to aggression between nations and I believe a lack of standards and rules on freedom of navigation have been to blame for this and threatening the peace of Europe. While social laws must and cultures must be protected we do need far more standardisation and harmonisation of fiscal and trade policies in Europe to make trade easier but also to prevent tax competition leading to a race to the bottom depleting tax revenues for all governments hurting European citizens by depleting the funds that fund their healthcare, benefits and education and leading to potential high inequality and poverty throughout the continent. Only working together to prevent a race to the bottom on corporate tax rates can we prevent this and it concerns me there has been many tax cuts between nations to the point we have had to do tax cuts on corporation tax and make taxes rise elsewhere in order to prevent cuts in tax revenue and the standard of living of our lowest income citizens. We need a solution to stop this race to the bottom which will ultimately hurt the poorest Europeans .I hope these issues can be adressed in a spirit of mutual cooperation and the EU can unleash its power in these areas to protect the working class's and middle class's of Europe. We are not Eurosceptic but do want a better union that works for all and effectively and frankly at the moment the EU is not delivering for the actual working class and middle class Europeans."
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Juncker opened his microphone and inquired the attendants: "does anyone else wish to say something before the Commission replies to the Duchian Prime Minister?"
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President Mouri-Kudo stood up as she began to speak.
“Thank you, Mr. Juncker for hosting this discussion. The stances of the Commonwealth of Leagio have not change since I have took office back in 2021. Since then I have continuously worked on reforming the government of the Commonwealth to be more stable, to be more productive, to be more adaptive to that changes that we as a community of nations are facing, and to be more responsive to the needs of its people. Since I have taken office, the Commonwealth of Leagio has been able to meet the challenges of climate change very efficiently. We have been able to invest more in cleaner energy and improve our status as a power within the European Union that can help to protect our planet. In addition, the action of my predecessor in obtaining that loan before the end of his time in office has also helped in being able to have the Commonwealth improve its environmental issues.”
“However, since the time I have taken office, our community has faced many issues that are also reflective towards the Commonwealth. The issue is that Leagions feel that every year there is a crisis that could happen and that could spark a global conflict that could suddenly drawn the Commonwealth into. Many people within my country have personally written to me in stating how concerned they are about the continuous conflicts that occur and wish for some method to bring in some form of conflict resolution."
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Ursula Orlich furiously wiped her hands with a wet cloth. They still felt dirty; why did they still feel dirty? She knew they were clean - she had rubbed at them until they had reddened and burned - and yet still, it felt to her as though something, dirt, filth, was stuck fast to them.
She sighed, stopping just by the door to the chamber to lean against the wall. "You're losing it," she muttered to herself, breath catching in her throat. "Don't lose it." Seventeen years, she thought, she had held firm, watching the tides of state go in and out, leaders rising and falling after the other, thinking, always, of the silliness of it all. Laughing, even, at how ridiculous, how bizarre, how surreal, it all seemed to be. But she had taken their place among their ranks, now, and in but - how long had it been? - two months (it couldn't have been just two months, surely not) she had found herself exactly the same as they had been, floundering and desperate and terrified.
She looked down at her hands again, and for a moment she thought she could see the slightest trace of dirt, blood, something, at the edges of her fingers. But she shook her head, and it was gone, her skin perfectly clean, if chafed.
A little confused, a little scared, she at last walked into the room with careful pace, her eyes fluttering as she took in all the new and foreign things before her, the people, the plush and fresh furniture, the bright lighting. She sat, though hesitantly, at her designated seat, leaning back in her chair, pursing her lips as she listened to the long speeches of Commissioners and Prime Ministers and Presidents galore.
And at last, she spoke after Mouri-Kudo finished with her remarks.
"Thank you, dear Commissioners," she said, "for holding this conference. I doubt that anyone here is particularly familiar with me, for good reason, so let me take this time to introduce myself. My name is Ursula Orlich; I am the current head of state, the State Protector, of the Republic of Istkalen. I am something of a caretaker in that position, a steward, really; I will not be here for long."
"The Union is facing a crisis of credibility. We have seen mounting crises, from climate change to the formation of bloc antagonisms, that it has refused to deal, or is incapable of dealing, with. It has become, as a result, useless in the eyes of many. If we stay the present course, we risk the possibility of mass exit and eventual, total collapse. It is thus crystal-clear, in my opinion, that reform is necessary. We must brook no delay in pursuing a course of European reconstruction that creates the institutions necessary to avert disaster, whether ecological, social, or diplomatic - and thus gives the Union renewed purpose and life."
"This means, for us, continued support for frameworks like the Freedom of Navigation Act that protect national integrity and prevent imperialism and piracy. It means the expansion of such regulations to new and other frontiers, from space to the air around us, likely to come into contestation in coming years. It means further work to protect the environment around us, from the institution of union-wide biodiversity protections to the establishment of a European carbon price, whether direct or indirect. And yes, it means investigating the possibility of genuine integration - of zones of free trade, of common protectionsregarding and coordination of monetary policy, even of free movement - that brings the countries of this Union further together and makes discord and war untenable."
"We are pleased, then, to hear of the Commission's committment to a strong role in enforcing and ensuring peace in the Union - that it stands, and will stand, always on the side of the continued integrity and stability of its member states against civil conflict and war that seems ever to grow. We are, however, less than pleased at its apparent opposition to the actions the Council has taken, in recent months, to bring Europe further together and strengthen the rule of law in realms where the medieval principle of might once ruled."
"The power of the Council, we believe, is the only force that can, and will, drive the integration necessary to preserve the peace and the integrity of this Union. The experiments with multilateralism we have seen, from the failed Bergen Treaty to even the Caspian Council negotiations, have seen only partial, if any success. All have found themselves hijacked, held hostage, by one or two major powers who seek, too often successfully, to impose their own interests above those of the Union to the detriment of everyone else. It is only the Council, where in law and in power every member-state is equal, where equitable and unbiased solutions have been and can be found to the issues we face - and thus only the Council that can be trusted with the task of driving forwards the growth and renaissance of this Union in a way that benefits all without privilege or condition."
"Let us stand, then, for a strong, a united, and rejuvenated Europe, where equality and the rule of law prevail - a union with rights for all and privilege for none."
