Kalistan

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Kalistani Foreign Minister makes unscheduled visits to Kundtari and Tel Bira
"We're serious about improving ties," says FM
Etxea, Kundrati
February 15, 5685


FM Henry Greene departs Kaliburg on first scheduled Commercial Flight to Etxea in decades

Following up on the visit from Socialist President of Kundrati, Alaiza Kubitchek last August, Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister, Mr. Henry Greene returned the visit. His visit, which was unannounced in Kalistan prior to departure, was part of a larger mission to the Far West which included a stop in Luthori and in Tel Bira, Amudim. The flight, on AeroKal, was the first publicly available direct commercial flight between Kalistan and the Kundrati province of Etxea, and represents the first time a Kalistani Official has stepped foot in the nation since the War ended nearly fourty years ago. Restoration of direct flights between Kalistan and Kundrati were part of the discussions between President Kubitchek and Minister Henry Greene last summer.

"This is an historic moment," said Minister Greene, speaking on Kundrati soil. "A century ago, Kalistan and Kundrati had a close relationship: We worked together on diplomacy, security and trade. And then it all went straight to hell. Restoring our close ties with this nation has been a long sought after goal of Empress Carolina, Emperor Fredrick III, Empress Mary, and now His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto, who may someday soon have the opportunity to visit the land of his ancestors. Kundrati has, in good and bad times, represented a central concern for the Royal Family, which is, by the way, known as the Kundrati Dynasty by imperial astrologers. So the opportunity to improve relations today is certainly one that His Imperial Majesty will take. Kalistan is serious about improving relations."

Greene travelled to the Capital of Kasaema to meet once more with the President of Kundrati. He presented a plan for Kalistani direct investment in the Kundrati Economy, with the goal of improving Kundrati exports. "Our private investors are interested in partnerships in the mining sector," said Greene, "but the National Government and House Ananto are interested in investment in the people of this nation. Kundrati is still working to recover from the decades of destruction and mismanagement and abuse under the Legionary administrations. The nation still struggles with primary sector operations, and though there has been help in recent years, many of the road blocks that kept Kalistan out of those discussions have now been cleared and we can participate as well."

The Foreign Minister presented the plan to transfer more than ₭1Bn Imperial to the Kundrati State in unrestricted, annually renewable 5-year grants and credits, to be guaranteed by the Imperial Bank and ForIn in Kaliburg. These credits will allow the Kundratis to acquire important implements to permanently improve the economic infrastructure of Kundrati, to fully recover from the war, and to rebuild themselves as an equal and contributing member to the Artanian Community and to the world. A stable and prosperous Kundrati is in the interest of its neighbors, and will be a force for peace going forward, rather than a force for chaos." The Foreign Minister stressed that these grants are not loans: Kundrati is expected to invest them in their people's future.

Minister Greene said, in his remaining time in Kundrati, he also intends to schedule an official visit from Their Imperial Majesties to Kundrati. "We'll have to work the details out and compare schedules of course, but I think it is possible that Their Imperial Majesties could visit Kundrati within the space of a year." He also plans to take a tour of the countryside and visit several war memorials. "I don't expect I will find any here to the lost Kalistanis," he said wryly. "That's unfortunate. But understandable."

Following his departure from Kundrati, he said his itinerary will take him to Luthori, where he will visit the Kalistani Embassy, and will talk about the potential of extending the Luthori mission to establish a Kalistani Consulate in Kundrati, either at Etxea or in Kasaema. "Any extension into Kundrati will happen innitially under the auspices of the Luthorian Ambassador initially, who will need to oversee its expansion. But once the Consulate is completed and ready to open, we will rely on the Ambassador there to recommend staff, including Kalistan's Consul General in Kundrati."

Then the Foreign Minister intends to fly to Tel Bira, another first. "I'm not sure the last time a Kalistani National, let alone an official, has visited Beiteynu or Amudim. Not a slight, I just think its really been that long." He said that the visit is a return of the visit by Tel Biran representatives to Kalistan last year. "Our relationship is evolving," said the Foreign Minister. "But there can be no doubt, it is improving. We have a number of important matters to discuss, including taking a tour of the Bankaut system, which liberals in Kalistan are pushing Their Imperial Majesties' Government to join." The Foreign Minister said he will be joined in Tel Bira by Their Imperial Majesties' Finance Minister Dr. Louisa Argon, and representatives from Kalstan's own ForIn Bank.

@TheRepublic