Kalistan

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Lady Nicolette Ananto-Collins to represent Empire in Egelion
Empress will remain in Kalistan to continue Government
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 2, 5703


Lady Nicolette Ananto-Collins, Princess of the Empire and Countess of Luxon will represent Kalistan in Egelion, interviewed here at Xanadu Winery in Luxon County

Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Nicolette Ananto-Collins, Countess of Luxon and former Regent, has been asked by Her Imperial Majesty to represent the Empire at the upcoming Conferences in Egelion dealing with regional security and cooperation. "I've been in retirement," said the Princess of the Empire, "but was also continuing to follow regional affairs. I helped Her Imperial Majesty prep for her recent trip to Altea, and when she returned home, she asked me if I could be free to represent the Empire in the event of a longer term conference. I said it would be an honor and a privilege."

The Princess of the Empire served as acting monarch during a decade long regency in the 5680s. She was known for strongly nationalist administration, but there is plenty of evidence that Lady Nicolette herself was more moderate than her government was, and that she saw herself in the care taker role while serving as regent. There is no doubt that she will correctly support the views of the Empress in the Egelian conferences. "I am there as the Empress' proxy," she said, "a role I am quite familiar with and very comfortable in. My niece thought of me because I have experience and the authority to speak on behalf of this Empire, and will represent Her Imperial Majesty's position well."

The Princess of the Empire said she is going to represent the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan to our neighbors. "Kalistan is simply uninterested in collective security agreements that bind our foreign policy to the policy choices made in foreign capitals over which we have no control," said the Princess. "We have never supported anything that restricts our ability to act independently, in our own interests. If anything can be said about Kalistan, it is that our policies are driven exclusively by our consideration of what is good for this nation. So it is unlikely we would ever join a mega alliance that is led by anyone else. In addition, our security agreement with the Kerisian States is tenuous at best. While it is far stronger with Lodamun. And I think Lodamun shares the same attitude about independence of foreign policy that Kalistan does. But, this does not preclude cooperation where it is appropriate. We have optimism that we will find grounds to cooperate in Altea, for the good of this region, but I want to make it clear: Kalistan will maintain its own security doctrine in and around our nation as we have been doing, and we fully fully expect other nations to do the same. Because that is in their own national interests, and not in service of some universalist, internationalist norm that in fact only serves to open us up to the abuses and attacks by foreign states."

Reuniting with the Empress shall be the man who began service during her regency, Sir Thomas Harney, who it is said gets along very well with the Princess of the Empire, as well as the Gaduri Viceroy, Marisol Paz Alvarez-Navarro, who will represent the Kingdom of Gaduridos to the committee, but will confer with, and defer to Kalistan on all international matters. "Her Excellency, Viceroy Alvarez will have the authority to commit Gaduridos to agreements in regard to their domestic activities," said the Princess, "but has deferred to Kalistan on regional and international matters, in accord with the Articles of Empire. I of course will get her read, and follow her lead on all matters where her nation's security is at stake, and will strive for the best deal for the Gaduri people as I do for the Kalistanis as well. She can be expected to fully and honorably represent the interests of her Nation to the conference."

The Kalistani goal is to further enhance regional security while continuing to stress sovereignty and common interest. "Regionalism was long the policy of my mother, Empress Mary and my brother Emperor Fredrick IV and sister Jennifer I. It remains the policy under my niece, Her Imperial Majesty Carolina II Ananto. There is something special about our region, above all others that sets us apart, but it also gives us a rock solid reason to want to work together, especially if foreign powers are themselves becoming a more formal bloc of power. We hear about pan-Dovanism regularly, and it is possible that Majatra is also considering a scheme to formally coordinate. It is therefore that our region should as well. Northern Seleya and Keris will alaways have more in common, whether it be a shared history or an overlapping culture that stretches from northern Keris to southern Gaduridos, and from Valruzia to Lourenne and Sekowo, which sets us apart, and shows us as the example for the world. This is mutual ground to build upon, and a spirit worthy of promotion at this conference."

The Empress will not attend the conference as her job prevents her from being out of the country for any prolonged period of time. The Princess of the Empire, however is free to remain as long as the conference continues. She will also travel with her husband, Sir Andrew Rohrbach, former director of ODEN-K, and will make something of a second honeymoon of the event.

@TheRepublic