Kalistan

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Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Dame Jacqueline DuMont announces visit in National Assembly



FM DuMont announces Lourennais State Visit
Goal of visit is to "Restore Cordial Relations between Empires" says Dame DuMont
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 13, 5564

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto's Foreign Minister, Dame Jacqueline DuMont announced that an official state visit by the Canrille Emperor, Maximilien V,, will take place next month.  Emperor Maximilien V, will visit from the United Kingdom of Lourenne, along with High Chancellor Vivaldi-Vandam, Royal Minister Arnault, and Royal Minister De la Bedoyère.

"The Visit by His Majesty the Emperor of Lourenne is intended to restore cordial relations between the Lourennais Government and Her Imperial Majesty," said Foreign Minister DuMont.  "There has been some strain over the years between Kalistan and Lourenne over Lourenne's influence in Gaduridos, but as Kalistan's focus turns west, Her Imperial Majesty is looking for the opportunity to reaffirm a commitment in the Anantonese to the Status Quo, and find new ways to work with our old friends on the other side of the Meridian Strait."  Dame DuMont said Her Imperial Majesty looks forward to the opportunity to restore cordial relations between the two Anantonese Empires.

"Her Imperial Majesty has, through her privy Secretary, released an itinerary for the discussions," said Dame DuMont.  "The visiting Emperor will be granted a formal audience with Her Imperial Majesty at the Imperial Seat in Kaliburg, where the two monarchs will have the opportunity to meet and speak with one another about matters that concern both.  Following the Audience, Her Imperial Majesty will briefly take photos with the Emperor to solemnize the visit.  Then His Majesty, the High Chancellor and the royal ministers will have the opportunity to sit down with Chancellor of the Empire Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto and myself, and we will discuss several items pertaining to Anantonese Security, and Kalistani research."

The Foreign Minister said the most pressing agenda items include the purchase of one or more Thiers-class Platform ships from Lourenne, a renewal of the Kalistani-Lourennais scientific and research partnership that helped develop biopolymers and fuels at the turn of the century, and a bilateral Anantonese Security Partnership.  "The Lourennais Government was particularly supportive of cooperation in the Anantonese, with a mutual recognition of the unique security environment in the Anantonese Ocean and a mutual commitment towards security in the region, especially from Artanians," said Dame DuMont.  "Kalistan is cooperating more frequently with Wrnuke and Lodamun in the Anantonese Ocean, and Lourenne was interested in reaching a similar agreement that will keep them at the table in our region as well.  Kalistan is very interested in continuing our partnership with all nations who have the correct orientation toward the oceans adjacent to Seleya."

It appears that a topic for discussion is the Thiers Class Platform ships.  "Kalistan is interested in acquiring at least three of these vessels to augment the 4th Fleet," said FM DuMont.  "If Lourenne is interested in accepting a contract to build the vessels, Kalistan would jump at the opportunity to acquire them.  With them, we can station ASW assets like rotary wing NH-20s with the surface units of the 4th Fleet to improve our subsurface target acquisition and monitoring mission, further enhancing our ability to locate enemy subs that try to sneak by our active and passive sonar systems.  Acquiring these systems will make the 4th Fleet a truly formidable reconnaissance in force unit and will virtually guarantee eyes and ears on all that moves in the Mad Dog Ocean."  The Foreign Minister noted that the Thiers system is highly proprietary for Lourenne.  "The Empress has signaled that she is willing to trade some modest political concessions in our sphere of influence for access to the systems."  This could include an explicit guarantee of the status quo in the Anantonese Ocean on Kalistan's part.

The Foreign Minister said that the Lourennais Delegation will be offered the Ananto Estate in Eveari, a mere 35 minutes by maglev, as accommodations, and will be provided all travel and recreation services by Kalistan.  "We will also offer to augment their security while in country, and the Lourennais may feel at liberty within Kalistan for as long as they remain in country."  The Foreign Minister also said that a reception for the visiting delegation will be planned for the evening at Wilson House, where the Empress can speak with the Emperor in a less formal setting over tea.  The Foreign Minister has also offered to arrange a visit to Dulnerstaad for the Lourennais visitors, to check in on the Lourennaise Diaspora, and see the cultural contributions it has made over the centuries to the Island.  "We have about 75,000 little Lourennais flags that we will pass out to the people of Dulnerstad who would like to take the opportunity to welcome the Emperor to their town with a parade and a cultural festival," said Dame DuMont.  "Weather and schedule permitting of course."