Royal Visit/Summit || Montenbourg - Inquista
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"That was magnificent, thank you. Dinner sounds great," the Archbishop answered affirmatively. She then thought for a moment, pondering over the Queen's question. Mikaela was the first female Archbishop of the Inquistan Orthodox Church. She was the first female leader that Inquista has ever had. Despite this fact, this wasn't a topic that Mikaela often reflected upon.
"I sometimes feel a bit alone, and that I have a great weight on my shoulders. There aren't that many female leaders, and there were basically none growing up. In many ways, there wasn't a blueprint for us women, who aspired to be leaders, you know? There was no textbook or instruction manual. I didn't have many examples of female leaders to look up to. Well, political leaders at least. I had many strong women in my life, like my mom, who I deffo aspire to be like.
But I always had to chart my own course, and usually without any help. Everything I ever did was always a moment of breaking the glass ceiling. A first. An achievement. A record. Then, despite smashing the glass ceiling, men will still think they know best. They talk over you, they interrupt you, and they never stop 'advising' you. It can be tough. But I always try to remind myself that there's a reason why I'm Archbishop, and that they aren't. I know I'm capable, I know intelligent, and I know I'm strong.
I know it's early days, but how are you finding it now, as a woman in a position of leadership?"
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"You know Mikaela, I see you. I share that same sentiment. I'm not the widow of a King, I am the daughter of a King; and here is history. So you and I send a strong message to all the women and especially the young women who put their faith in you and in me, because we have shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling for them to follow." Said The Queen as they advanced towards the dinner reception.
At the enter of the dinner reception the Prime Minister Xavier Bettel saluted the Archbishop "Reverend, I'm looking forward to our free trade, shall we discuss it after dinner if you wish." they proceed seating.
The dinner started. The Queen offered a few words. Accompained by members of the court and high ranking ambassadors.
"Reverend Archbishop, I am delighted to welcome you to Bourgeon Palace. Prince Philip and I are so glad that you are visiting the Kingdom of Montenbourg. Your visit to this country inevitably reminds us of our shared history, our common language, and our strong intellectual and cultural links. It also reminds us that your country twice came to the rescue of the free and democratic Europe when it was facing military disaster, with the horrors happened in Dromund Kass and now in Eastern Haane. On each occasion, the generosity of the Microstate of Inquista made a massive contribution to recovery.""Today, Inquista remains our most important ally, and our two nations contribute to the security and prosperity of our peoples and of the European Union through shared national interests."
"Entertainment may not be so obviously an example of our close ties, but it forms part of the lives of a great many of our people. Over the years, we have enjoyed some of Inquista most spectacular musical productions and any number of what we call films, which you might prefer to call movies. (Laughter.) In return, Montenbourg films and theatrical productions have achieved considerable success in your country. Now a collaborative film The Tourist is being nominated at Newark International Film Festival 2020 in the @Kingdom-of-Reitzmag; This exchange of people and projects has enlarged and invigorated our common language, although I think you will agree, we don't always use it in quite the same way. (Laughter.)"
"Archbishop, I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the Kingdom of Montenbourg and the Most Blessed State of Inquista stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the Union will be more secure and can become more prosperous."
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to celebrate the tried, tested, and, yes, special relationship between our two countries. I, therefore, ask you now to join me in raising your glasses to the continued health, happiness, and prosperity of the people of the Most Blessed State of Inquista, and especially to the health of Archbishop Mikaela."
(A toast is offered.) (The National Anthem is played.) (Applause.)
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The Archbishop felt quite touched by the beautiful and compelling speech given by Queen Victoria. Mikaela smiled and nodded as the Queen spoke, and then participated in the toast, before applauding along with the rest of the guests.
Mikaela, who was seated just across from Queen Victoria, blushed in her seat and was speechless for a few seconds, which was quite the triumph for the Queen, because the Archbishop was quite the chatter box. Mikaela looked across at Queen Victoria and thanked her.
"That was quite the toast! Again, thank you so much for hosting me. You know just exactly how to treat your guests. I am honoured, and I feel very special, so thank you. This is such a pleasure, and your words are really touching."
The Archbishop then looked beside her, at Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and smiled. "I hope you don't underestimate your new monarch, she might just run circles around you."
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"It's always an honor to have you." The Queen smiled "I'll present you my Prime Minister the Right and Honorable Xavier Bettel, I leave you to it." The Queen advanced towards the ambassadors delegation.
"Ha-ha, our majesty is our most hidden treasure. She run the world, as Beyonce said." The Prime Minister laughed with the Archbishop. "What a toast for our friend of Inquista, as her majesty's foreign office informed us your delegation wishes to make an update to our Free Trade Agreement."
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"Oh she does," Mikaela agreed with a smile. "Yes, I'd very much like that. I was hoping to eliminate all of the remaining tariffs within our agreement, establishing a full free trade zone between our nations."
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Both of them laughed on the remarks comparing Queen Victoria to Beyonce's song Who Run The World the Prime Minister responded:
"Sounds excellent, @Inquista and Montenbourg shall be more united than ever. Both of our private sector will be delighted with this. Also our Defense Minister has suggested the possibility of Inquista having a military presence in the north, and we can provide space for a possible Inquistan base in our soil; an MDT Mutual Defense Treaty or better said an Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support." Said the Prime Minister to the Archbishop.
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"I would support a mutual defence treaty, but would that not compromise Montenbourg's status as a neutral nation? I don't want to accidentally walk Montenbourg into any legal trouble. If you don't think it will be a problem, then I happily agree to it! As for the military bases, while that's a very kind and generous offer, I can't accept it. Under my government, Inquista is opposed to establishing military bases anywhere overseas. That's very generous of you, though, and we appreciate that.
I also want to raise the topic of the climate crisis. I see that your country is moving towards a completely circular economy. That's great news! I was hoping to better our emission targets from our previous agreement, and commit to decreasing our current levels of green house gas emissions by at least 20% by 2030."
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"Well that's true that would compromise our position. This is not the time then. Yes we are, our policy is centering on circular economy, all montenbourgian industries had agreed and new ones would have to comply. Let's do it!"Said the prime minister.
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"Great! These amendments will help update and modernize the current treaty between our governments! Here is the updated document," the Archbishop commented as she took out a black pen from her purse. The Archbishop signed the updated agreement and passed it to the Prime Minister.
There contents of the agreement were such:
The Most Blessed State of Inquista and the Kingdom of Montenbourg will hereby agree to:
1. Eliminate all existing custom duties and tariffs between their respective states.
2. Create and enforce a labour code that, at the very least, prohibits gender and sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace, creates a minimum workplace safety standard, and prohibits the exploitation of minor children.
3. Ban chloride and sulfur pollutants, and the dumping of chemical and manufacturing byproduct in fresh and salt waters.
4. Commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Existing levels of green house gas emissions must be reduced by 20% by 2030.
5. Commit to increasing existing levels of investment in green infrastructure technology by 100% by 2030.
6. Allow the Inquistan Orthodox Church to freely create and fund Inquistan Orthodox faith schools in the Kingdom Montenbourg. Institutions relating to the Inquistan Orthodox Church shall be tax exempt in the Kingdom of Montenbourg.
7. Allow the Kingdom of Montenbourg to establish a Theological Institute for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Exchange in the Most Blessed State of Inquista. Institutions relating to the Church of Montenbourg shall be tax exempt in Inquista.
8. Establish a communication and information link between the intelligence and secret services of their respective states.
9. Institute visa-free travel between their respective states.
10. Commit to nuclear non-proliferation and condemn the use of nuclear weapons. Any state or party that detonates nuclear weapons will be immediately condemned by the Most Blessed State of Inquista and the Kingdom of Montenbourg.
11. Commit to cooperate and collaborate in humanitarian relief efforts in Dromund Kaas and Eastern Haane. An official humanitarian partnership between the Most Blessed State of Inquista and the Kingdom of Montenbourg will be created in relation to Dromund Kaas and Eastern Haane.
This declaration is a binding document and must be ratified by the relevant government instruments of the Most Blessed State of Inquista and the Kingdom of Montenbourg.
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"Excellent!" The Prime Minister signed the document, in front of the press as they possed for a picture.
