A Latino Summit (California-Spain)
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"I feel since we both have a big tourism sector, it would be ideal to engage in free travel," Albo answered. "What a great idea."
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Aguilar smiled when he heard California was in for a free travel agreement as well, as the summit was going as he expected.
The Spanish President decided to go a step further, and checking his agenda he found that student exchanges were the next point both had to discuss, or agreed to. The Spanish President drank some water before bringing up another topic: "I have been told that California has recently been looking for some student exhange programmes, and I was wondering if your country would be interested in establishing one with Spain. As neighbours, I believe it is our responsibility to give our students opportunities to study abroad, as the European Union has no organization or programme that is responsible of that. Marks requisites and also being able to speak English and Spanish could be included so we avoid social isolation at school".
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"Yes, oh that is perfect. I would like to impliment that at all three education levels. primary, secondary, and tertiary," Albo replied.
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"We usually do not let our primary students (from 6 to 11 years old) and our secondary students until they turn 15 or 16 to study abroad, because we believe it is very important that during those ages they spend their days with their parents, siblings, grandparents... The Spanish Government is a firm defender of that, so I regret that we will not be able to implement student exchange programmes for under-15s. I hope that is not much of a concern to you", Aguilar said.
The Spanish President decided to bring up the economy topic, as it was very interesting: "I have also thought on some sort of economical agreement between us, to give a push to Spanish enterprises operating here and Californian companies that do business in Spain. Maybe we could introduce some advantages? I have been told your cabinet was looking forward to tax cuts, but Spain believes that all companies should be taxed at the same rate, but I can announce you that we will be cutting that tax very soon for all companies".
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"I wouldn't mind at all. That would definitely be fine," Albo replied. "I want you to know I want California to join Telum. As a good neighbour, it would be super important to join. Also, how did you plan for the Strait taxes?"
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Jesús Aguilar listened to the request of Anthony to join the Treaty of Telum, something that depended but also did not at all on him. The Spanish President also felt some interest about the Strait taxes question, and he wanted to know more about the reason to ask about them:
"I am very intrigued about the question on Strait taxes, are you planning to implement them with the Duxburian Union? If yes, we would be willing to help the DU and Calfornia with enforcement and measures. What we did was an idea of the former Ottoman Empire, which consists on a committee that in our case in Gibraltar is their Parliament, and in the case of the ASMSA, now disbanded; the Transport Chancellors of the bordering autonomous communities to the former Strait, nowadays a sea, formed the committee that took decisions about taxing. What is taxed is cargo value on board of cargo ships.
Also, as you might already know Anthony, the membership of the Treaty of Telum needs to be approved by all the member states, but you can be sure about Spain's support to your adhession if Spain or any Telum Treaty nation are exempted from a possible tax on their cargo ships on the Varian Strait. That will be a thing that the Telum countries will take into account when debating your entrance."
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" No, we'd do it for non-Telum. So, it's regarding the cargo."
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"Fantastic", Aguilar said with relief after he got to know non-Telum nations would not be taxed. "Yes, it only applies to cargo and the committee independently decides which nations they tax and which nations they do not. But that is our system, you can apply your own. If you decide to go ahead with the idea alongside the DU, give me a call and I will be glad to help you both alonside the GSSA and the ASMSA directors", he concluded.
"Well Anthony, with that said, is there anything else you would like to speak about", the President wondered.
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"Nope, this was a really good first meeting. If you need anything, just ask."
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"It has indeed", said Jesús, shaking hands with Anthony. "And same, if you ever need anything, just give me a call and I will find a gap for you. Not everyone has that priviledge!", said the Spanish President, laughing.
Aguilar then left to San Diego's Airport, where his Falcon Dassault plane was waiting for him. The President's plane took off on time and headed back to Madrid, leaving an awesome country and a great friend behind, but with hopes of having a friend for his entire life. Another summit to put on his diary.
The Kingdom of Spain