An Opportunity for a Southern Land

[Highton]

There had been several conversations over the phone which had led to this event- six delegates were meeting in Highton’s largest city to discuss trade with one of Eras’ newest nations, the Sutherland Federation. In order to allow the disputed state to survive, it’s allies would need to provide a substantial amount of aid, so the agreement was conceived as a method to simplify this process.


Nathan Jarreau, the Arc-Wonderess of Sutherland, was the first to arrive at Alexandria International Airport. Jarreau had visited Highton a few months earlier, and this time was welcomed by Highton’s Crowned Prince. Over the rest of the weekend, the other delegates arrived, it being the first visit to Highton for some. The summit was to take place on Tuesday, but all were in the city for the weekend and many toured the Autonomous City. The Internationales Hotel’s conference room was to be the setting for the meeting the the eyes of the world watching, and the future of the Sutherland Federation at stake.

 

[Highton]

The Press awaited the 12:00 time of the meeting at the Hotel, with the delegates gathering one by one for the summit. Eventually, all had arrived the doors were closed. The meeting was to begin.

Antonio Fernández, the delegation from Highton, was the first to speak as the six sat at a round table in a private room. “First of all, I’d like to welcome all of you to Highton. I hope you have enjoyed your stay so far, and I hope this summit can me extremely productive for international trade with not only Sutherland but with each other.”

 

[Wonderess]

The Arc-Wonderess stood to address the representatives from the nations that were on their way to becoming trusted friends of Sutherland. He stood quietly looking each one of them in the eye before beginning his address of welcome:

"Today my dear friends, the world takes a step in the right direction. We representatives of our various great nations spanning the entirety of the globe are here today for mutual benefit and cooperation. Many of you are also members of our Society of Honorable Nations. This duality of diplomatic and economic cooperation is truly magnificent because through it I believe other nations can come to see the good of collaboration, trust, and peaceful agreement. If you would have told me two years ago that Sutherland would be here meeting with some of the shining nations of Eras then I would have looked upon you with disbelief. Our Lord has truly been kind to Sutherland and her people, and I know that if we work hard we can accomplish evermore. All it takes is the use of imagination, the endeavor of cooperation, and the building of an unbreakable international trust. I believe all of these things are beginning to be accomplished here. I would like to thank specifically the people of Highton and their representative, Delegate Fernández, for the hospitality and opportunity to be here with you today. I am very much looking forward to hearing from each of you and building a lasting agreement that shall stand the test of time. Thank you."

 

[Midir [Mondari]]

Anthony Brooks rose from his chair, adjusting his tie in the process, in preparation to address the other representatives.

"Firstly, on behalf of the Mondic government, I would like to thank Mr. Jarreau for his superb oration; I would also like to thank Mr. Fernández, for his invitation to his magnificent nation, Highton. Now, the Mondic government views all of it's fellow nations here today as important allies in the improvement of Sutherland; economically and diplomatically. We in the RM hope that our nations can work together for the mutual benefit of every nation; Thank you."

Anthony Brooks concludes his speech and proceeds to take his seat.

 

[Goyanes]

Ken Lorge, Goyanes' foreign minister, had been to his fair share of conferences and treaty signings, even witnessing the Cimmerians rip up a treaty during the Crown Conflict. He promptly turned on his microphone.

"Thank you to his Excellency, the Arc-Wondress and Mr. Fernandez for having us here. But enough with the formalities, it's time to get to business. We have a reason to be here, right? It's to help advance Sutherland's position on the world stage. Since we've decided that an agreement would be the best way to pursue this, I propose we begin specifying what is going to happen in this agreement."

He paused and took a sip from his mug of milk tea before continuing.

"I, for one, am prepared to offer the best possible trade relationship between all parties involved. Goyanes can offer its far reaching trade connections and respected international presence, as well as the foreign aid needed to help industry, but that should be a last resort. The free market is going to help us here. Thank you."

He sat back down and turned off his microphone.

 

[Benolia]

Nikolaos Kotzias rose to his feet, buttoning the first of his suit buttons, before addressing the delegations.

“I must concur with Mr. Lorge; Goyanes is in the ideal position to both bring legitimacy to our endeavor and provide it with the necessary connections to be sustained. I also agree that we ought to get on with it.“

With that, he sits.

 

[Syrixia]

"As do I." said Karl Vanderlund, the Vallish Foreign Minister, in concurrence with Minister Kotzias.

"Mr. Jarreau, by your words you show the merits of our collective choice. Let's get on with it."

 

[Highton]

Secretary Fernández then spoke again.

“I have to agree with Minister Lorge on this- an international agreement will be the best way to facilitate a trade relationship between the nations in this room. Highton believes that the formation of a body to discuss this would support the unity of this board. I’d also like to clarify that this alliance will be solely for economic gain and the support of the Sutherland Federation.

“Would anyone like to share their thoughts on this suggestion of an association?”

 

[Syrixia]

"I'm inclined to agree," Minister Vanderlund replied, "But I can't help but feel like if we were to form such an association, it would engender McMasterdonian reprisal, and possibly a coordinated response from it and its allies. We must move swiftly, wisely, and cautiously."

 

[Wonderess]

"I wish to make this point very clear. It is with great joy and gratitude that we come discuss the possibility of a trade agreement with each of your nations. However, we are willing to aid you in your needs as well. We wish any understanding that comes from this monumental meeting to be a two way street so to speak. Sutherland wishes to take your needs into concern so that everyone can benefit from this goal of ours. So please do not feel that this is a mere act of charity but an actual benefit on both sides of the table. Regarding McMasterdonia, though we have not yet settled on a lasting agreement, both nations have come to know that there is no need or want of hostility. The days of great tension are being left behind even while disagreements remain unsettled. To be honest, both McMasterdonia and Sutherland have internal issues to attend to that are much more important than a drawn out squabble."

 

[Highton]

“I believe that now we should discuss how this association will look. How will it be structured, and what will be the terms of the agreement? I have a few suggestions, but I’d like to hear from the rest of of the nations in the room. I believe that free trade would benefit all of the nations here, especially the Sutherland Federation. I also believe that this association could be a facilitator of trade between Sutherland and other nations.”

 

[Midir [Mondari]]

"The Mondic government believes that free trade is paramount to this association succeeding as it will allow our nations to bind our economies closer together. In addition, free trade will strengthen each nation's economy. However, the Mondic government needs a guarantee that our previous agreement with Sutherland's Dominion of Bereda will stay in place for many years to come."

 

[Wonderess]

"I assure you that this forming agreement shall not affect the bilateral Midir-Sutherland agreement as it now stands. Consider it grandfathered in as it were."

 

[Nightsong]

Specialist Helena Wolff had been assigned by her superiors in the Crimson Berets to attend a meeting being held in the Crowned Republic of Highton regarding matters related to the Sutherland Federation. Traditionally the Merilian Authorities would have sent the Sutherland Ambassador or the Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, as this was a unique case with a foreign State whose status was still in dispute by some in the international community, it was tasked to the Crimson Berets who specialized in handling delicate foreign matters. Specialist Wolff had flown in the night before the meeting and had shown up promptly the day of with a cup of tea in hand. Listening to the others speak, she had chosen to remain silent and observe the proceedings while thinking about how it would all play out in the end and what eventual role the Most Serene Kingdom of Merilia and its Crimson Berets Corps would play. As the topic of structure came up, Specialist Wolff felt it was the right time to speak. Leaning forward she spoke into the microphone in front of her, "I am in support of an agreement and a framework to support the Sutherland Federation going forward. Having said that, free trade is of paramount importance to any eventual agreement that is put forward as without it you will not have the support of the Most Serene Kingdom of Merilia. Further, as the Kingdom's neutrality rests on the laurels of humanitarian interventionism we are prepared to offer an open line of support to aid and relief supplies that the Sutherland Federation might need to rebuild and prosper following its rise into being an independent nation." After speaking she turned off her microphone and sat back while taking a sip of her tea.