Reitzmag - United Duchies Summit
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Preparations at the palace had been going on for days. Today was the day of a significant summit. The Prime Minister Mr Terence Fitzcharles had met with his foreign minister Felix Underhill and High Duke Albert I to discuss details. The cabinet including trade had held their meetings. It was clear what was wanted joint investment programmes, cultural exchange, education exchange and deals on climate change. Suddenly also developments in East Hahn had got to top of the agenda. High Duke Albert I waited at the airport with the royal limousine a lovely Lyons limousine. They waited the arrival of the foreign delegation. -
Vespina again is back with its regular Bloodhound FA.24 Stealth Fighter Jets as a companion, Simon missed his favorite aircraft who took him to a lot of countries. The plane took off early and after about 30 minutes, it landed at the designated airport. Simon disembarked and felt the fresh air in UD. It was a fine ride. He shook hands with Albert I.
"Mr. Albert, it's great to see you here." said Simon.
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High Duke Albert I shook the hand of Simon. He greeted him formally and they entered the car. The car ride would be 40 minutes to the palace. During that time he spoke with Simon in the car while the palace got ready with the state banquet being prepared at the palace. On arrival Felix Underhill and Prime Minister Fitzcharles greeted Simon with shaking of hands before going to the banquet hall. The banquet was a feast with goose, potatoes, veg served in the finest fashion.
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The place was very beautiful, Simon could not imagine the luxury the Heads of State/Government of the United Duchies experience in their tenure/reign. He shook hands with PM Fitzcharles and Felix Underhill. In the banquet, Simon talked with Fitzcharles and Underhill.
"Mr. Fitzcharles, Mr. Underhill, I came here to discuss about a lot of things. Such as free trade, and maybe free movement too. But I think we should do that in a better area after this banquet." said SImon.
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They dined and had the pudding a victoria sponge cake of the Reitzmag and United Duchies flags to represent co-operation. They had the final round of cocktails before heading to a room at the edge of the castle. The tables were laid and they could get to negotiations. Prime Minister Fitzcharles opened up. "I first personally like to to thank you on behalf of the duchies for this summit and our future cooperation. As you know we called this because we believe greater ties would benefit both our nations. The first issue we'd like to discuss is economic co-operation. We already have free trade through the EU but I believe we could benefit from free movement of labour making it easier for short term work permits between our nations and also making investment between our countries easier. We could achieve this by setting up an investment fund together to encourage companies from our nations to invest in one another in key industries. What do you think of this proposal and what would you like to suggest?".
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"Ah, I think we should establish not just free movement of labor but visa-free travel for all citizens of both our countries. We accepted your invitation for a summit as we think that the United Duchies would be a good partner of our country. Certainly Mr. Fitzcharles, I think that we do have an agreement when it comes to free movement and free trade, shall we proceed to what I could offer?" said Simon with a big smile.
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Mr Fitzcharles listened intently as Simon Bridges outlined some of his vision. He agreed that that visa-free travel should be allowed for short periods for tourism. He replied "We can agree to visa free travel for tourists for up to 28 days for our citizens. This would help boost both our economies so in my opinion is a good idea. Perhaps we could also cooperate on making it easier for our national airlines to co-operate perhaps with codesharing so to boost each others networks and help with travel in our countries and to also allow rail-air tickets in both countries to make itineraries easier."
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"I agree Mr. Fitzcharles, now I think we should now discuss a bit of a military cooperation. Both our countries have powerful militaries and strong economies. We both have arms manufacturing companies. So I think we could do better if we will do partnerships in the development and production of better military technology for both our nations. So what do you say Mr. Fitzcharles?" said Simon with a bit nervousness on what Fitzcharles would respond.
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Mr Fitzcharles mulled over the proposal this was the one issue they thought might come up. While they trusted Reitzmag they knew there were issues with other powers who United Duchies was also partnering with. While they wanted to be friendly they didn't want to derail those negotiations. He thought about it for a minute then he responded "At the moment to be honest I don't think its quite the right time for something like that and if we did do that we'd want it in a wider agreement with our neighbours when tensions calm down. However what we can do is try to be a neutral ground for both sides to discuss issues and also how to get to the co-operation stage. We do have great respect for you but I'm sure you'll understand why at this stage this is our stance for now. However regarding military we could maybe co-operate on joint operations in the humanitarian area, for example in East Hahne right now, we are highly concerned and want to help in stabilisation of the country so we can at least secure security for evacuation flights to commence by our airline so we can process asylum seekers. We wish to announce an asylum scheme in the coming week if possible."
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"Ah, certainly Mr. Fitzcharles. I am happy that at least you have some level of trust on us. I will be returning here maybe by December to get your response if we can cooperate for the sake of both our Armed Forces. I am very open for a humanitarian cooperation on things such as Eastern Haane." said Simon.
"By the way Mr. Fitzcharles, I may want to also inform you that my country is in grave danger due to the threats from your neighbor Inimicus. They have acquired license for nuclear weapons and now they are threatening us with such. I am very much begging many other powers to help us in such situation as we cannot and will not try to start a war with a country more powerful than us." added Simon.
"But, to stand that aside. speaking of Inimicus. We are also looking that maybe we can have a better deal on access to our canals. Certainly, the United Duchies had made a great impact on our economy since the opening of the canal but we think that things are changing as we get much limited trade with other countries." said Simon.
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Prime minister Fitzcharles responded saying " We are aware of the tensions and thats what makes us nervous. We do not think it needs to come to war . What I would suggest is we maybe potentially host a security summit as you know we get on well with Inimicus and have strengthening relations with them maybe we could be of assistance in this area diplomatically. For East Hahne we could maybe have our chiefs of defense work on a joint strategy potentially also involving other nations and encouraging other nations to help. Frankly the EU has been far too slow in reaction and when its at the point of cannibalism and genocides going on we can't just wait for a diplomatic solution , the situation needs securing and soon so we can allow refugee flows out and get long term stability for the country.As far as the canal goes you have full commercial access we just don't allow military ships through generally."
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"As of now Mr. Fitzcharles, we do not much need access to canal for the sake of our very tiny navy." said Simon whiskering.
"But maybe in the future, I may ask for our military to have access to the canal. I may figure that out in December if I will need it." said Simon.
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Fitzcharles listened to what was said then he replied "Well I've got to be frank theres probably a fair way to go until that stage. From what we understand there are issues with Spain and Inimicus that will need solving before that but we very much hope they can be resolved and potentially a friendship develop in the long run. Then maybe its a possibility."
Moving on to resaerch and cultural exhange. I propose links between our universities with special attention to projects relating to medicince, environmental technologies and cultural exchange between our nations. We could have a programme where students can study for a year in another university or for a semester so as to develop links and perhaps have people meet who would otherwise not meet resulting in friendships and new ideas. What do you think?"
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"Of course Mr. Fitzcharles, but our petty quarrel with Spain no longer exists and our relationship is quickly recovering. We both have made de-escalation procedures on the measures we did." said Simon.
"My country is very open to research and cultural exchange, and I think our pharmaceutical companies are also open to establishing laboratories in other countries like here in the United Duchies. Our universities are known for being one of the most prestigious ones in Europe. We have also established the same thing with our friends in Leagio and the programs are still ongoing as we speak." said Simon.
"Our chemistry laboratories are also open for cooperation on research for newer elements. Our particle accelerators are very active everyday for the creation of new elements by bombarding other elements with each other. Last 2018, 4 new elements were named after their successful articial creation" added Simon.
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Fitzcharles responded " I very much am glad things are improving. However we still believe a meeting in the United Duchies would help with all three parties in attendence to solve any remaining issues that may exist.
In terms of research and cultural exchange that is what we were looking for this could benefit both countries. Perhaps if we encouraged these developments to be public by making patenting easy for the universities involved by allowing them to set up patent trusts for their partnerships.This could really help make it so advances can benefit all in society."
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"I agree, well it seems we are having a very fruitful meeting, so I think we should draft some treaty now." said SImon
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The two parties broke off for evening. Some of the points discussed today would be presented in the treaty tomorrow. A draft had been done weeks before though it would now be edited as needed. They would wait til morning then discuss some more if there were any extra issues to discuss.
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Morning comes and the two parties get some breakfast. Simon woke up early as he got some nice idea to offer the United Duchies that would possible give them knowledge of Reitzmag's military power.
"Good morning Mr. Fitzcharles. I had a great sleep last night. How about you?" said Simon happily.
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Fitzcharles replied " I had a great nights sleep. I got word they have typed up the agreement based on what we discussed. Its just a matter of whether you have anything to add. " He showed the agreement that covered free trade, visa free travel ,cultural and educational exchanges ,research partnerships and short term work permits. The agreement also included the provisions for investment schemes through the government run investment banks to encourage investment in each others countries.
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"I'm glad to hear that Mr. Fitzcharles, I want to also raise something I remember that I almost forgot to offer yesterday. Our Royal Navy had been selling our young Ballistic Missile Submarine to a lot of nations. And I want to offer it to your country. The sale would be complete as a pack with missiles in the bundle." said Simon.
