European Heads of Government / State Meeting - Europolis, 6th July 2020
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Aguilar stood up to talk for the last time. It had been a very exhausting meeting, in which he had the opportunity to know the European Leaders, most of them; and hear their opinions about all the matters. He was finally talking for the last time:
"Firstly I would like to talk about the Sound Taxes I have imposed in both straights. First of all, those are negotiable, so if a country would like to have less taxes applied to their cargo ships, they perfectly can arrange a summit with both agencies that manage these taxes and arrange the group change. Inimicus is only taxed in the Mediterranean, not in Adventuranza. Anyway, we are open to negotiate with everyone and everybody. We aren't denying any offers or negotiations.
Secondly, I must say that a pandemic scenario would be a disaster for the European Union, its economy, its people, its members. I would like to support the Commissioner ideas and say Spain will work on that. Hopefully, se have some status that could allow the Government to set restrictions that affect essential civil rights and it's fully democratic, so Spain won't be breaking laws and also, would nlt use this as a way to set a not-democratical status.
In third place, I would like to address the need of a fair European Budget. I know it's not the Internal Affairs Commissioner task to do this, but I would like the Commissioner to ask Ms. Whiteford when are we getting that budget. I also want to talk about Spain and how we recall are, because sometimes the actions taken by some people to make my country look as a trashy place may have hid what Spain really is. Spain is a really open country, that loves democracy and aims to take part in building a better European Union along with every single nation on it. I admit that we sometimes are hard on our measures, but being hard doesn't mean Spain likes wars, it's the opposite. We are not entering any wars unless our country is seriously threatened.
Finally, I would like to thank Commissioner Juncker for his great management of this meeting. I know that it's been hard, that you have suffered the insults from an European Councillor and moreover, we have given you an incredible amount of work to do that I expected you could manage very well, and you did. Congratulations Commissioner, you have done a great job until today, and I'm sure you'll continue making a fantastic job in the days to come. Thank you all"
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President Lifejumper nodded and decided to stand up and talk for the last time.
"First, I must also thank the Commissioner for organizing this meet. it shows that the European Union definitely wants to come together and resolve any problems that occur within our community. Furthermore, I wish to also say to the Commissioner that the Commonwealth would be delighted to have you visit our community over the energy issue and the nuclear material issue that I mentioned earlier. The Commonwealth wishes to continue with its support to the EU and show that it, like the other nations here, are defenders of peace, liberty, and equality. Peace, liberty, and equality is the ideas that we love along with the idea of democracy. These ideas are the ideas that Commonwealth of Leagio follows here."
"Second, i would first like to say that it has been an honor to meet the leaders of all of these nations that are in attendance in this. It has been a real honor. I ask that all the nations in the meeting be willing to continue to follow the four ideas that Leagio follows: Peace, Equality, Liberty, and Democracy. The false and violent government within the island of Icholasen has shown that it does not follow in these ideas. The ideas that are valuable to a peaceful and loving world. Action should be taken against them, but warfare should only be a last resort. For warfare will always bring out the pain and suffering that ruins the four ideas of the world. Leagio has no desire for war, but we will defend ourselves to ensure that the Four Ideas of the Commonwealth are threatened. For the Commonwealth ensures that every citzen and resident has the Common Defense that protects those ideas."
"Lastly, i ask the every nation develop plans on what should be done within their country if a pandemic occurs if none has been formed yet. Thank you."
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"I would like to also totally thank Commissioner Juncker for this super cool hang-out session. This is the first time that the European Assembly has been called, and so I really didn't think so many of you would show up! Basically all of our region's leaders are here right now. This is a massive success, I'd say. I'm very pleasantly surprised to see my friends from the Duxburian Union and Angleter here. You guys both have my number, so why don't you guys ever call me? I'll create a group chat on WhatsApp after this meeting so we can catch-up.
Before we leave this meeting today, I want to echo Mr. Straddleclyde's words. My Inimican friend is in the right. We truly must be united as a region. We need to all stand together against UNSR bullies, and we must do so through real and tangible action. Boycotts, border closures and diplomatic sanctions should be the bare minimum. President Lifejacket is wise in reminding us of what is important: peace, equality, liberty, and democracy. If we are to exist as a cohesive Union, and if we to treasure these four values, then we need to take a stand against this common threat. Please, let us not be idle on this."
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Erik Johannsen, Fremet's Deputy Statsminister, had been selected as a special envoy of the Staatsrat to represent the Fremetian government at this meeting during the ongoing national election cycle.
He had listened carefully to all that had been said, taking detailed notes of the proposals of the representatives (and their arguments).
When at last it seemed this gathering was drawing to a close, Erik rose to make his first (and only) statement on behalf of Fremet:
"Mr Juncker, you have done an exemplary job in conducting this meeting. Your service deserves to be commended. The discussions that have taken place here surely further power the slow gears of progress in the months ahead.
I believe our esteemed colleague from Inimicus said it best in our call for unity. The European Council wholeheartedly enacted legislation that sanctioned the illegal communist government in Icholasen. It is imperative that we continue to maintain a united front against an enemy that not only threatens the very existence of Fremet, but the delicate peace we have all managed to prosper in.
Furthermore, the Fremetian government, in principle, does not support the notion of free trade or freedom of movement outside our own borders. Our economy, thanks in part to its isolation from the continent for the better part of a century, is extremely sensitive to cheap overseas labour. As such, Fremet's existing trade arrangements have been carefully chosen and fine-tuned to ensure the lasting stability and success of the Fremetian economy. While we do not oppose the free movement of people in itself, we generally seek to establish such arrangements with nations that have established track records in protecting the rights of all those in their borders.
As to the planned Eurostar project, I don't give a rat's ass who thought of it. Frankly, we do not see the merit in sending billions of Francs overseas to a project with little noticeable benefit to Fremet. While I see the benefits of such a system for the likes of Reitzmag, Gallorum, or Spain, it is simply not worth the immense amount of effort required for a nation like my own. Even if the UNSR should fall tomorrow, it will be some time before we will be willing to even consider building a direct rail link between our two islands. Integrating existing railways across the continent is by far a more palatable solution. As my Duxburian colleague mentioned, it will require a massive effort to undertake such a proposition, but it is doubtless such a plan will save time, money, and countless resources, allowing for the increased probability of success of such a massive project.
Mr Aguilar, while I appreciate that Fremetian shipping is exempt from the sound toll, I find it a most troubling precedent. What is to say that, after the successful introduction of a toll at Gibraltar, that Ruthund or Valhalla shouldn't implement a tax on traffic en route to and from the oil rich lands of the arctic? Or that you shouldn't implement a second toll on the straight to your south, leading to Inimicus and the Duxburian Union? No. This must be stopped here. Countless nations across the EU rely on shipping to transit goods across this vast continent, and we mustn't risk the continued continuity of trade by implementing such restrictions on the transit of goods. I urge your government to reconsider these actions before nations are forced to respond.
Mr Juncker, I know I just complimented you on this excellent gathering, but there are some items that must be addressed to protect my sanity. Expanded terms for Commissioners is a shady idea at best. We musn't allow for the Commission to be paralysed by inactive and ineffective commissioners and then be stuck with these said people for an extended period of time. Your proposal simply calls for a term that is too long. Furthermore, while I may see the need for a new Internal Affairs building, I'd like to see a detailed cost-benefit analysis for this massive investment, in addition to a comparative CBA done to renovating, expanding, or moving to existing office space.
Pandemic planning is an issue of paramount importance and must be a priority of all EU nations. Recent progress to establish a region-wide health organisation has provided us with an unprecedented means of developing a coordinated and effective response, should such a disaster occur.
I will close by returning to my initial proposition: I am elated at the renewed participation from the attendees in the broader politic during this meeting. This renewed presence has reinforced the ideal of this European project, and the ideas and proposals put forth here (both good and bad) have established a dialogue within our union on issues that we face day in and day out. The words of Archbishop Kligenberg, President Lifejacket, and Mr Straddleclyde all point to one signature point: that there is strength in unity. Together, we are stronger than the sum of our parts, and in the challenges we face today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and so on, we must face them together and stand against common threats and uphold the core values of our peoples and the European Union."
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Juncker stood up and handshaked everybody on the room before talking for the last time. The meeting was as planned, and everyone took part on it. It was a great thing he could add to his merits list. He then started to talk, for the last time, to all those presidents that did or didn't support him:
"Thank you everyone for your closing statements. Today, we have got to many conclusions that lead the European Union to future agreement, to cooperation, to those values the EU take as theirs. Today, we have debated the most important points of the current European Politics, the challenges we will have to face together, united. I know some of you here are not happy with me being the Internal Affairs Commissioner. Some others came here being rude and thinking they ruled this meetings. Others, just doubt about my neutrality. But, at least, we have had a good meeting in which we have been able to meet for once at all.
I would like to thank you all for your assistance. It's been hard, but we have done it. Also, thank you for all of your great words towards me, which I really appreaciate and they motivate me to continue doing my work as well as I can. Today we have learnt about what we want and what we don't want. We can do it together, we just need to cooperate loking to the future. Thank you all, and I hope you the best for the future."
The meeting then ended.
The Kingdom of Spain
