27-12-2024, 01:41 PM
A snippet from a foreign policy journal in a Luthorian speaking north Seleyan nation.
An overview of Solentian Foreign Policy
Quarter 4 5589 Edition
Solentia is notorious for its limited engagement in international affairs, with a Foreign Ministry that is not overburdened with Treaty obligations. It has a limited number of bilateral relations, most importantly with two of its neighbours. Solentia has signed up to some regional agreements such as the Trans-Majatran Corridors Network, mostly because inward investment saw the expansion of major road networks in Solentia, linking Solentia to its neighbours.
The fledgling government of Solentia has proposed rejoining the Treaty of Bovatho, five years after the previous government unilaterally pulled Solentia ouf of the Treaty. This would mark an effort by the new Ahmadi government to rebuild relations with its much wealthier neighbour by reopening trade and cross-border movement, as well as agreeing to non-aggression with its militarily superior neighbour. These notes aim to provide an overview of Solentian foreign policy decisions and how Solentia has historically balanced its regional relationships. Solentia is bordered to the west by Kalopia, to the north by Kafuristan and to the southeast by Istalia. All three nations are significantly wealthier than Solentia, and both Kafuristan and Istalia have historically intervened inside Solentia militarily.
Neutrality with neighbours
The Treaty of Bovotho was originally signed in 5249 with both Solentia and Kafuristan to boost economic and security ties between the two nations. It followed an earlier Peace Treaty in 5138, which followed Kafuri intervention in the second Solentian Civil War. Kafuristan also intervened in the Third Civil War, providing support to Abadi militia's operating along the northern border. However, since then relations have mostly been peaceful, if limited in commitment and engagement between the two countries.
If ties with Kafuristan have seen flares up of violence mixed with trade, the same can also be said for Istalia. Istalia has often looked north-west with concern especially relating to security. Former Istalian military personnel oversaw a coup in Solentia in the early 5100's, and in the 5250's Third Civil War Istalian intervention was decisive in restoring Republican fortunes. Istalia is keen for security in Solentia to protect its land trade links with the rest of Majatra, when Solentia is unstable it always had a knock on effect on neighbouring Istalia. Both countries have significant communities of interest resident in their neighbour, with ethnic Istalians forming 5% of Solentia's population, and Majatrans, including Solentans, making 16% of Istalia's population.
Relations with Kalopia have been notably non-violent compared to the other two neighbours of Solentia, with Solentia a signatory member of the Kalopian Official Neutrality and Diplomatic Treaty.
Solentia as a regional smuggling hub
Solentia has signficiant deep-water ports along its east coast and due to frequent periods of ineffective central government, these have often been the focus of regional smuggling activity. Some countries have sought to exploit this to their own benefit, most notably Beiteynu. With good road networks linking Solentia to the rest of Majatra and slack central government, Solentia has provded a perfect opportunity for centuries to smugglers.
Solentia as a cheap manufacturing hub
Although the previous government enacted stringent labour rights for workers, previously Solentia had been a manufacturing hub for cheap goods including clothes due to lax labour laws. In the 5100's and 5200's Solentia saw dramatic deregulation of labour laws to encourage industry to establish itself in Solentia. Many companies took advantage of the lax labour laws and low wages to build products in Solentia before exporting the goods to other countries.
Solentia as a source of guest workers
And finally, like many developing countries, Solentia also exports its people. Solentian guest workers are common in many countries and their remittances help get foreign currencies into Solentia, indeed without many workers abroad Solentia would likely be even poorer than the state it is today.
Summary
Overall Solentia remains a diplomatic and economic basket case, which other countries could easily take advantage of with a little investment and engagement. Solentian governments tend to be more focused on whether their citizens can pray or what women can wear and often do not have enough time to focus on trivial things like economic growth and securing peaceful international relations. For the unscrupulous nation or business Solentia is an opportunity!
An overview of Solentian Foreign Policy
Quarter 4 5589 Edition
Solentia is notorious for its limited engagement in international affairs, with a Foreign Ministry that is not overburdened with Treaty obligations. It has a limited number of bilateral relations, most importantly with two of its neighbours. Solentia has signed up to some regional agreements such as the Trans-Majatran Corridors Network, mostly because inward investment saw the expansion of major road networks in Solentia, linking Solentia to its neighbours.
The fledgling government of Solentia has proposed rejoining the Treaty of Bovatho, five years after the previous government unilaterally pulled Solentia ouf of the Treaty. This would mark an effort by the new Ahmadi government to rebuild relations with its much wealthier neighbour by reopening trade and cross-border movement, as well as agreeing to non-aggression with its militarily superior neighbour. These notes aim to provide an overview of Solentian foreign policy decisions and how Solentia has historically balanced its regional relationships. Solentia is bordered to the west by Kalopia, to the north by Kafuristan and to the southeast by Istalia. All three nations are significantly wealthier than Solentia, and both Kafuristan and Istalia have historically intervened inside Solentia militarily.
Neutrality with neighbours
The Treaty of Bovotho was originally signed in 5249 with both Solentia and Kafuristan to boost economic and security ties between the two nations. It followed an earlier Peace Treaty in 5138, which followed Kafuri intervention in the second Solentian Civil War. Kafuristan also intervened in the Third Civil War, providing support to Abadi militia's operating along the northern border. However, since then relations have mostly been peaceful, if limited in commitment and engagement between the two countries.
If ties with Kafuristan have seen flares up of violence mixed with trade, the same can also be said for Istalia. Istalia has often looked north-west with concern especially relating to security. Former Istalian military personnel oversaw a coup in Solentia in the early 5100's, and in the 5250's Third Civil War Istalian intervention was decisive in restoring Republican fortunes. Istalia is keen for security in Solentia to protect its land trade links with the rest of Majatra, when Solentia is unstable it always had a knock on effect on neighbouring Istalia. Both countries have significant communities of interest resident in their neighbour, with ethnic Istalians forming 5% of Solentia's population, and Majatrans, including Solentans, making 16% of Istalia's population.
Relations with Kalopia have been notably non-violent compared to the other two neighbours of Solentia, with Solentia a signatory member of the Kalopian Official Neutrality and Diplomatic Treaty.
Solentia as a regional smuggling hub
Solentia has signficiant deep-water ports along its east coast and due to frequent periods of ineffective central government, these have often been the focus of regional smuggling activity. Some countries have sought to exploit this to their own benefit, most notably Beiteynu. With good road networks linking Solentia to the rest of Majatra and slack central government, Solentia has provded a perfect opportunity for centuries to smugglers.
Solentia as a cheap manufacturing hub
Although the previous government enacted stringent labour rights for workers, previously Solentia had been a manufacturing hub for cheap goods including clothes due to lax labour laws. In the 5100's and 5200's Solentia saw dramatic deregulation of labour laws to encourage industry to establish itself in Solentia. Many companies took advantage of the lax labour laws and low wages to build products in Solentia before exporting the goods to other countries.
Solentia as a source of guest workers
And finally, like many developing countries, Solentia also exports its people. Solentian guest workers are common in many countries and their remittances help get foreign currencies into Solentia, indeed without many workers abroad Solentia would likely be even poorer than the state it is today.
Summary
Overall Solentia remains a diplomatic and economic basket case, which other countries could easily take advantage of with a little investment and engagement. Solentian governments tend to be more focused on whether their citizens can pray or what women can wear and often do not have enough time to focus on trivial things like economic growth and securing peaceful international relations. For the unscrupulous nation or business Solentia is an opportunity!