Kalistan

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Kalistan meets the World
High Profile talks in Kaliburg and Nowagard yield dividends for Empire
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 7, 5684


Kaliburg hosts delegates from Tel Bira in tour that includes stop at Museum of the Empire in Eveari

A couple years ago, Kalistan angered the world's hegemonic liberal foreign policy establishment by retreating from a ten year long failed policy of internationalism. "We said we were going to focus on our region," said Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister, Mr. Henry Greene at a reception for the Amudim delegation held at the Imperial Seat. "But our doors would always remain open to the world, and we are seeing the fruits of our principled stance today as we host an historic visit from Tel Bira in Amudim here in Kaliburg." The Foreign Minister spoke following a formal audience between the Majatran delegation and Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto. Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue was in attendance for the formal audience, which lasted for more than an hour.

"This is an important step toward normalizing relations between Kalistan and one of the world's major finance and defense actors," said Lady Donahue after the Audience. "It was important for Their Imperial Majesties to have the opportunity to discuss the long standing disagreements between our two nations with the Amudimim, and to move past them so we can begin rebuilding our relationship with Tel Bira, and the other city states in the former Beiteynu. Those grievances were related to the Kundrati conflict in which Amudim's predecessors not only assisted Kundrati in building missiles that were later used to strike Kalistani cities, but also at least some agents with ties to the Government were involved in helping the Legionary state cover up human rights abuses and provide political and diplomatic cover that undermined the Allied attempts to pressure the Legion to change. We received acknowledgement of the concerns from the Tel Biran representatives, and in return, we have agreed that the successor states cannot themselves be held accountable for the actions of the previous regime in the country which was essentially destroyed following civil war and regime collapse. It is Their Imperial Majesties' hope that this matter can finally be put to bed and we can start fresh finally."

The Formal Audience was followed by a reception that welcomed various members of Kalistani society including Maxwell Jacob of AYIC and several members of various segments of Kalistan's business community, investment fund managers, and defense contractors, all of whom are looking at Tel Bira as an opportunity to reach back out to the world. "It is doubtful that we would ever reconsider joining Equifund," said Minister Greene, "but the Bankaut Network is definitely something that has some interest among those who want easier transactions around the world. There will be tough conversations going forward, especially around financial and monetary sovereignty, and so forth, and I suppose concessions will need to happen on both sides of that discussion, but if there is a way for Kalistan and Tel Bira to begin working together, that is certainly something that would be interesting to our international investors."

The following day, the Amudim reps were taken to Eveari to see the Hulanevek Diamond, one of the 8 Gems of Elior, which is located at the Museum of the Empire. "The question of its future is now on the table," said Minister Greene from Eveari. "The AYIC makes a point when they ask us to return it. But it was a huge ask for Their Imperial Majesties to even display it here in Eveari-- They believe it is cursed, you see, and the Emperor himself expressed concern over whether proximity alone puts Kalistanis in some danger. We haven't had any reports of any incidents around the Gem here in Eveari since it went on display, but, I suppose I should say, its tough to change some beliefs. The Tel Birans were wise not to raise the issue to Their Imperial Majesties: It is too early, I think, but I do know that Mr. Maxwell intends to stay in touch with both them and his contacts in the Neset over this, and many other topics related to the interests of the Yeudi diaspora."

The visit was a success, and it comes on the heels of another important visit: Last month, Lady Donahue made a trip to Nowagard Valruzia to meet with the new Valruzian Chancellor Klaudia Nowik. Lady Donahue enthusiastically greeted her new colleague and took several photos with the Premier before meeting for more than two hours behind closed doors. It is reported that Lady Donahue wanted to discuss how Kalistan and Valruzia could continue to work together to deepen our long standing friendly relationship in Northern Seleya.

"I reiterated Kalistan's policy of reciprocal trade to Valruzia, and pointed out that Northern Seleyan nations generally have all we need here within our region to be self sufficient, as nations," said Lady Donahue. "We have all factors of production in abundance, and each specialize in a number of things. I advanced the liberal concept of comparative advantage to allow us to focus on those things we do efficiently and leave other things we don't do as efficiently to imports. But as you can imagine, of course, two nations who orient nationally will have some hurdles when it comes to working out which things those are. We had a really excellent conversation, and made the most headway in cultural exchange."

Lady Donahue noted that Kalistan has, within the last decade or more, noted a net out migration to Valruzia. "A lot of people remain expatriates, in that they keep Kalistani citizenship, as either their primary or secondary citizenship, but its often left leaning citizens leaving Kalistan for Valruzia. A lot of them are Egelian speakers, so you are starting to see Egelian and Suldanoran speaking enclaves appearing in some of Valruzia's cities. I think they, especially the more liberal and socialist ones, may find Valruzia to be a more hospitable nation, politically, than they feel Kalistan has. Its something we in the Institutional Party should address, but to date it has been to Valruzia's advantage, not Kalistan's." The Chancellor did not say that Kalistan intends to restrict out migration, but wants to work with the new Chancellor to ensure that Kalistanis who do want to move to Valruzia receive the same rights and privileges there as any other citizen should they want to make Valruzia their new home.

"We also appreciate the new Chancellor's words regarding their Yeudi citizens," said Lady Donahue. "As we know, the AYIC is particularly vocal in their advocacy for the Yeudi populations in Kalistan but also all over Northern Seleya, and though there was some tension before around that topic, it is refreshing to hear the New Chancellor's commitment to equality for Valruzian Yeudis within their polity." Lady Donahue reiterated Kalistan's stance on freedom of movement as well throughout Northern Seleya, and reaffirmed Kaliburg's commitment to supporting Valruzia in the event that the security crisis in the Migrants' Pass spilled over onto Valruzian shores. "Seleya should be insulated from that conflict to the degree that it is not our business. At least one of our neighbors has some interests in that part of the world, but we do not want to see that war brought here. We value peace in this region and would prefer to contain local issues to their locality, if at all possible. But Kalistan also stands ready to assist in the event that our assistance would make a difference."

The two foreign policy successes were widely celebrated among politicians in Kalistan as well as the punditry and signal that what was roundly mocked by liberals around the world was actually a more intelligent position for the Empire to adopt. "Bilateralism plays to Kalistan's strengths," said Minister Greene. "Large scale international agreements where Kalistan is told to either accept the terms that almost always benefit other nations or we can't participate almost always put our nation not even in the passenger seat, but in the trunk. We are never the driver at any rate. Negotiating one on one with nations allows both sides to drill down to what is really important, and to ensure that we can develop new relationships and strengthen old ones based on mutually shared interest. Yes, it is a lot of work: it would be easy to have one treaty where 60 countries just sign... but Kalistan, like all nations, has interests and this sort of one on one bilateral work is the best way to ensure that interests are met, needs are served, and everyone at the table has an agreement that they can live with. It is what we prefer, because it allows us to actually get to know people, rather than reducing our foreign relations to a subscription plan that is nearly always built in a foreign capital for the benefit of a foreign power."

@TheRepublic