Rebuilding Bridges [Angleter / Reitzmag summit]
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"I don't get this. I don't get it at all."
Emryc Isla tossed his briefing notes on the table in frustration. "Lisa, you know I like simple briefings. Easy to understand."
"But that's as simple as I could make it. I can't take anything more out, boss, or it'll make even less sense."
Emryc sighed. "OK. Fine. But Inq— why did they agr— and New Moreland and East Moreland are the same thing? Argh, I'll just wing it and hope he doesn't mention it."
"The main thing, boss, is we find out whether this guy can be trusted. After that, you know the game plan."
"Got i—"
A head popped round the door and nodded at Emryc.
"They've arrived? Bridges has arrived? Great. Bring him in."
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Simon Bridges wearing his fancy tuxedo walked fashionably into Emryc Isla's office.
Greetings Mr. Isla, it looks like you're very well prepare today for this meeting.
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Isla stood to shake Bridges' hand before they both sat down.
"Emryc, please. May I call you Simon? It's a pleasure to have you here, and congratulations on your election win. It was very impressive, and I think, for Reitzmag as a respected European country, necessary."
"I know you're eager for your country to re-engage with Europe after what Mr Johnson and Mr Coventry did, and I think you also understand that the issue for us and for most European powers is one of trust. So with that in mind, would you like to explain what your government is doing to investigate, and root out, the systematic causes of the Bernie Sanders incident? A lot of people will have had to conspire with Johnson and Coventry to let what happened happen, so how can my government be sure those people are removed from influence, and those ideas are recognised as unacceptable?"
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Bridges shook hands with Isla and sat down.
Oh, it's fine to call me Simon as many does. And thanks for the appreciation, I see you also fit as a good Prime Minister for a more well respected nation.
Of course, our government and every single security institution is currently working on possible other suspects while we have detained Johnson. As of now, the investigation has led us to groups related to Johnson or Coventry such as the EPA and the Conservative Party. And when the investigation has finally concluded, all of these suspects will be immediately detained. Government officials behind this will be strip of their power, and we will ensure they will never return to service and that they will never be respected by anyone. We also have ensured maximum security for everyone by declaring Martial Law and maximum tolerance for anyone who may have contributed to what happened. The presence of military and police are increased so that we may as soon as possibly conclude in these investigations.
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"I see. So as you'll know, Angleter's advice at the moment is against all travel to Reitzmag, and against all trade that might require travel to Reitzmag. We also applied individual sanctions against Mr Johnson and Mr Coventry, which will be maintained. We're going to continue applying the sanctions against Mr Coventry's estate until all investigations into his death are concluded."
"But following what you've said, we are, I think, willing to discuss the trade and travel advice, up to a certain extent. What would your government be looking for?"
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Well, our government is interested in removing the travel restrictions and the trade restrictions. Our armed forces are on high alert at all points of entry and exit to the country to prevent possible suspects involved in the situation from escaping. We want to ensure also that any foreigner in Reitzmag are secured and are free to go to the country. Our visa-upon arrival policy for all tourists and foreigners are suspended and will be temporarily replaced with visa requirement policy to ensure that the identity of entering and exiting persons are closely guarded.
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"Angleter isn't, in principle, opposed to the concept of lifting the travel and trade restrictions. That said, for us it's a matter of balancing that against the risk of being the first country to put our heads above the parapet and lift restrictions or sanctions on Reitzmag. I'm sure you'll appreciate that, if we were to go ahead with this, it would be a big win for Reitzmag, but for Angleter, we run the risk of some countries asking 'what's up with Angleter?' And we're at quite a sensitive time diplomatically, so removing these restrictions is a big deal for us."
"What would make things easier for us, domestically and diplomatically, would be some gesture of goodwill on Reitzmag's side to demonstrate that this is the start of a deeper partnership that benefits both sides; rather than just a matter of, to put it bluntly, Angleter sticking its neck out for Reitzmag. Would you have anything in mind along those lines?"
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Thank you for that somehow positive assurance. Perhaps I can offer you these interested entrepreneurs who want to invest in Angleter. There are also medical laboratories interested in establishing a laboratory here in Angleter so that the production of medicine for Angleteric citizens, as well as other European nationals, would be easier instead of importing products from Reitzmag.
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"I see. Well, I'd certainly be willing to arrange meetings between Angleteric and Reitzmic pharmaceutical companies. I'm sure our people can organise that after we're finished here."
"What I think would be more beneficial for both our nations would be more opportunities for Angleteric investment in Reitzmag. We want to help Reitzmag recover from the sanctions, and, of course, it'll be great for Angleter to be the first European country to get back into Reitzmag's economy. And we'd be interested in helping the recovery of Reitzmag proper, rather than just the new development in East Moreland."
"Obviously the major hitch to that is the fact that you've still got martial law in your country. We understand that, but of course, that usually means that things like property rights, the personal freedom of Angleteric citizens in Reitzmag, and so on are compromised. Even if we said it was OK to invest in Reitzmag, under those conditions we'd struggle to get takers. Can you reassure me that the personal and economic rights and freedoms of Angleteric investors won't be affected by the martial law, can you give me some specifics on the terms of your martial law, and can you give a timeframe for how long the martial law is likely to last?"
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"No worries Emryc, if its ok to call you like that, the definition of martial law in Reitzmag had varied through the centuries. And the current definition of martial law in Reitzmag is increased presence of military and police personnel ensuring maximum security among all people in Reitzmag regardless of nationality. This is opposite to what people know as the common definition of martial law since this gives more security and more freedom rather than suppression. And as per the decision of parliament, the martial law would probably last until we have concluded on the kidnapping incident."
"There are tons of good places to invest in Reitzmag and I'm happy to know that it is the main interest of the Angleteric businessmen. And currently, the government is focusing on creating 3 new cities aside from the joint international project. Though, it's ok if you they would invest in the current cities of Reitzmag. But as I said, it would be more beneficial for our nations if we would prioritize now the development of these new city projects. Aside from that, I've been recently contacted by the leading automobile manufacturers in Europe based in Reitzmag that they want to establish factories in Angleter and all-over Europe for the same reason as these pharmaceutical companies."
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"Yes, Emryc is fine. And on the issue of martial law, that's reassuring. And like with the pharmaceutical companies, our team would be happy to organise meetings with the relevant people for your car manufacturers."
"But I'm glad you agree that Angleteric investment in Reitzmag would be to the benefit of both our nations. I know that northern Reitzmag has a lot of potential in the mining sector, and we think that could be a powerhouse of Reitzmag's post-sanctions economic revival. Angleter has a well-established uranium mining sector, and we have a number of mining conglomerates with experience in metals. I think it'd be great if our companies could bring their expertise to Reitzmag and help northern Reitzmag reach its full potential."
"To that end, I have a number of proposals. To start, it'd be great if there are any potential new mining developments in northern Reitzmag that Angleteric companies could take on; and an agreement that Angleteric companies get first dibs, so to speak, on any future new mining developments in Reitzmag would also be very helpful. This would cover uranium ore, gold, silver, and copper. I'm keen, of course, that this be a two-way street – perhaps you could fill me in on the state of Reitzmag's own mining sector? Do you have many mining companies of your own, and how have they been affected by the sanctions?"
"The other sector that I think could benefit from more co-operation between our nations is energy. We share large reserves of uranium ore, as I mentioned earlier, and while Reitzmag has large coal and gas reserves, Angleter has a lot of oil. I'd be eager for a similar arrangement to the one on mining to be struck on gas, so Angleteric oil and gas companies get first refusal on any new or currently available natural gas exploration projects. If you could tell me a bit more about how your energy sector is structured, I'm sure I could propose some more arrangements. Do you have much of a refining sector, for example?"
"I'm also very interested in the three new city projects you mention, and I'd be glad to help provide the capital to get these projects off the ground. Speaking in general terms, Angleter would be happy to provide 50% of the finance for developing these cities, in the form of loans, in return for Angleteric companies having the right to trade freely within them, outside Reitzmag's normal customs regime. That, I think, would be a solid basis for a good economic partnership between our countries."
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"Well I am glad to know that we are close to an agreement. And I see that Angleter is indeed very much interested in this co-operation with Reitzmag."
"So, for your first proposal. There are surely a number of companies running in the mining sector. The problem for this is that they are limited due to environmental concerns in which we are very sensitive to. Most of these mining companies are affected by the sanctions in which many have began removing employees due to the decreasing revenues received by each since trade between different European nations are limited by the sanctions."
"Now for your second proposal regarding the energy sector. I am glad you opened up these topics and I want to outline how our energy sector is structured. Mainly, this is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and I prepared here a portfolio showing the statistics we have in Reitzmag."
Simon hands Emryc the portfolio.
"As you can see there, Reitzmag has existing natural gas exploration and refinery facilities are existing in focal areas that would both reduce the transportation time of these minerals and protect the health and safety of our people. Another thing you may see there is that Reitzmag is never powered by coal-fired power plants which means that our coal reserves are almost not used and are mainly exported. This is one of the most heavily affected industries by the sanctions. So we would be glad if Angleter would be a major purchaser of these coal since Reitzmag is very much interested in having Angleter as another source of oil since we mainly rely on oil from the @Duxburian-Union and @Vayinaod. Furthermore, I want to emphasize that we are also interested in your offer of joint gas explorations. And that I am glad to know about Angleter's interest in our natural resources."
"And for your last point regarding the new city projects initiated by Reitzmag, I want to let you know that we are very happy about this interest of Angleter in entering once again the Reitzmic economy. In fact, I am also here to invite you to invest also there. I want to ensure to you that there would be no problem when Angleteric investors would begin establishing businesses there."
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"Angleter has a sovereign wealth fund, like an investment fund fuelled by the oil royalties, called the Royal Angleteric Investment Authority. RAIA would handle the funding of the new city projects as I mentioned earlier, and I'm glad you're supportive of my proposal for that."
"Given what you said about the state of your mining sector, I wonder if it might help if RAIA, and perhaps some of our larger mining companies in Angleter, were to purchase minority stakes in Reitzmag's largest mining companies. That would give them a cash boost to help them get through the rest of the sanctions era, and hit the ground running once Reitzmag is fully reintegrated into the family of nations. Moreover, perhaps the new and current mining developments could be first dibs for 50-50 Angleteric-Reitzmic partnerships? Although it would, of course, be easier for me to sell this to our mining companies if the mining sector in Reitzmag were given a little more freedom. I know people in Reitzmag rightly treasure their natural environment, as do Angleterics, but even the smallest movement on this issue would be very reassuring."
"I'm very pleased that we're in agreement on gas. As for coal, absolutely, Angleter would gladly take on Reitzmag's raw coal exports, although, given Reitzmag's current trouble shifting the stuff, I think it'd be reasonable for us to take that on at a little below market value. We have considerable refining expertise in our country, so I think that'd be a natural fit for us. And absolutely, Reitzmag is more than welcome to buy Angleteric oil."
"I think we're getting to the point where we can draw up a draft treaty. Would you like my staff to draw that up for us?"
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"I am very happy to hear that, and I agree that we should begin to draw up a treaty."
Apart from these things Emryc, I want to raise the issue of Reitzmag's security which is very vulnerable to attacks. Our armed forces do not have equipment of such classes capable of countering those from nations possible to attack Reitzmag. With this I propose that we should probably make an alliance if that is ok?
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Emryc returned to the room with a pile of papers. They were passed around the room.
"Simon, I think we can do business here. I'm happy to present to you this draft treaty. It includes pretty much everything, I think, that we discussed, including an Angleteric military guarantee to Reitzmag in the event that it is subject to foreign aggression, and a sort of voucher scheme where Reitzmag can borrow money earmarked for the purchase of our military equipment. I'm also prepared, as the text reflects, to up the amount of capital investment from RAIA for the three new cities, so we actually fund all the projects in their entirety, and that way you can be ready to go with those projects the moment this treaty is ratified."
"Take a look, anyway; let me know what you think. I hope it's all in order?"
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Simon was astonished. It was unbelievable, Emryc had shown him a masterpiece. However, he has worries it might not get ratified.
"This is absolutely fabulous Emryc. I am hoping that this treaty gets ratified. For now, let's sign it!"
Simon took his fountain pen and signed the treaty.
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"A pleasure doing business with you, Simon. I assure you I'll be speedrunning this through Parliament."
Emryc also signed the treaty and leant across the table to shake hands with Simon.
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Simon shook hands with Emryc and gave him the gift wine fresh from the cellars of the king.
"It is such an honor Emryc."
Then he left the office and went back to Reitzmag.
