Kalistan

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Kalistanis greet Tripartite Kingdom Government
SOFA signed between Empire of Ananto and Kalistan and Free City of Luncasi grandfathered to entire nation
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 4, 5688


Foreign Ministers meet in Kaliburg to formalize Luncasi Base Lease and Infrastructure support

The Foreign Minister of the Tripartite Kingdom of New Endralon, Kizenia, and Kuzaki, the Honorable Cezar Istrati visited Kaliburg this week to meet the Imperial Government and sign the Formal Agreement extending the standing agreement which has existed between Kalistan and the Free City of Luncasi, in southern Kizenia since the end of the war. The Agreement, which includes a Status of Forces Agreement, as well as terms under which Kalistan will maintain exclusive access to the Luncasi Naval Logistics Center in Luncasi, which is currently under construction and an agreement for Kalistan to coordinate the construction of a new commercial port in Luncasi which will be for the use of the Free City and by extension, the Tripartite Kingdom, was signed in a ceremony that was attended by more than a dozen foreign service agents who have been working on the NEKK desk for the better part of a decade.

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir Thomas Harney, OAE, met the Tripartite Foreign Minister, Mr. Istrati at Kaliburg International and escorted him to the Imperial Seat, where he was welcomed in a short formal audience with Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins. The Chancellor of the Empire was also there, and spoke with reporters afterward, "The Foreign Minister was in a tuxedo, for some unknown reason. It is literally 10 am, the temperature this afternoon is expected to top 80 degrees, and his somewhat overdress occasioned some questions from Her Highness that preceded the formal introductions."

The Foreign Minister himself said, "What? Can't a man dress in a tuxedo to meet a colleague?" He was asked if he was coming from or going to a party. He said no, he just figured that today would be a good day to put the tuxedo on. The Foreign Minister was the image of dapperness as he and the visiting Kerisian chief Diplomat and representative of the Government under Prime Minister Danut Enescu removed to the Informal Audience Room. The two Foreign Ministers took the opportunity to take formal handshake photos, and then the Foreign Minister was offered the opportunity to say some words to the assembled Foreign Service Officers who had gathered to attend the meeting.

Speaking in Egelian, for the benefit of the audience, the veteran diplomat thanked Kalistan for hosting him in the Capital. He thanked the Empire for contributing to the liberation of his nation during the war and for keeping Luncasi and Deltabor safe. "La alianza entre nuestras dos naciones fue crucial para garantizar el flujo constante de bienes y material bélico a nuestro país, apoyando así el esfuerzo bélico contra el régimen anterior. Los pueblos de Luncasi y Deltabor agradecen a Kalistán su cooperación en materia de seguridad y por haber garantizado que la costa sur siguiera siendo un lugar de paz, descanso y refugio para quienes huían del conflicto en el norte."

Following his comments, FM Harney rose to announce the contents of the agreement, also in Egelian, though we have translated it back to Vrassan for our readers: "Today, we are signing this agreement between our two nations which codifies the situation that has existed since the signing of the Altean Treaty, between the Kalistani Government and the Government of the Free City of Luncasi. The terms of the Status of Forces Agreement are that

Art 1. Status of Forces
a. Kalistan agrees that all regular Armed Forces stationed in Luncasi Free City are there as invited guests of the City Government of Luncasi and of the Tripartite Kingdom. We understand that uniformed security agents and NEKK military are colleagues and our hosts within the Nation.
b. Kalistan shall have exclusive use of the Luncasi Naval Logistics Center, currently under construction, for a term of not less than 30 years, with option for renewal, beginning on the date that it is officially opened.
c. The Lease can be cancelled with the expressed agreement of competent and responsible authority in both Kalsitan and The Tripartite Kingdom.
d. The Tripartite Kingdom will work with the Free City to provide security for the base: Luncasi Free City controls the fenceline of the Naval Base, and the Base, while leased, remains Luncasi property. Luncasi controls all checkpoints and gates in the base.
e. Luncasi may coordinate with Kalistan, either on its own or with the Tripartite Kingdom to permit training of NEKK regular armed forces from the Base. During the period of the lease, Kalsitani operations shall take precedence, but Kizenian access to the port and facilities may not be unreasonably restricted otherwise.
f. The City Government, either acting alone or as an agent of the Tripartite Kingdom may enter the property for any reason.
g. They may not seize property or persons: All uniformed Naval, Marine, or Regular Army Personnel who are on base will be subject to the Kalistani Uniform Code of Military Justice.
h. While beyond the established fenceline, all Kalistani nationals are subject to Tripartite Kingdom laws, may be detained by Luncasi or NEKK police forces, and may be tried in NEKK courts.
i. If found guilty, The Tripartite Kingdom must be willing to consider an extradition petition to Kalistan, where the Kalistani system will honor, the best of its abilities the Court's Judgement, up to and including incarceration.
j. Kalistanis do not enjoy extraterritoriality in Luncasi, and the Base is considered Kizenian soil.

Art 2: Commercial Port
a. In exchange for exclusive rights to this base, Kalistan will provide contractors in the employ of the City of Luncasi materials and technical assistance in the construction of a Commercial Port at Luncasi no more than 1 mile east of the eastern most point on fenceline for the Naval Logistics Center.
b. Luncasi will contract designers, manpower, and tradesmen and women to construct the base, and Kalistan will cover all reasonable costs associated with the construction of the base, to include dredging and expanding the deep water port at Luncasi to service modern container ships, all concrete, all buildings and correctly gauged rail links.
c. The project to construct the commercial port will not last more than 10 years following the completion of the Naval Logistics Center.
d. Any costs incurred beyond that date will be covered by either Luncasi or the Tripartite Government.
e. Use of this Commercial port will be determined by the City of Luncasi, either alone or acting as an agent of the Tripartite Kingdom.
f. Kalistan and Luncasi may determine that they wish to cooperate on any other projects acceptable to both national governments.

"There are the terms of the agreement Kalistan has maintained with the Free City of Luncasi since the end of the War, and today, the Tripartite Kingdom also becomes a party to the agreement."

Following the reading of the articles, both Foreign Minister Harney, and Foreign Minister Istrati sat down and affixed their signatures to the agreement as representatives of their respective Governments. The signing ceremony was followed by passing out pens to staff of both nations. The Ceremony was followed by a luncheon featuring Rice Pilaf and chicken, toasts to both nations and a challenge between both foreign ministers to a round of cribbage. The Tripartite foreign minister won 121-117, given that he counted first on the last hand and went out with 3 nines, an eight and a nine in the cut.

The visit was a success and a very welcomed high point in relations between Kalsitan and the Tripartite Kingdom. FM Istrati was back on the plane and headed back to NEKK by 4:30 pm Kaliburg time.

@TheRepublic