Kalistan

[Doc]

Sir David Levine Addresses National Assembly
"Focus of Foreign Relations is on Anantonese Nations," said Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 14, 5621


Chancellor of the Empire, Sir David Levine speaks before the National Assembly

"Upon meeting with His Imperial Majesty, His government will continue its policy of working to improve relations with our neighbors in the Anantonese Region, and focus less on regions like Majatra and Artania," said Chancellor of the Empire, Sir David Levine this week in Kaliburg.  "We are currently hoping to improve links with other Seleyan nations, and will also focus our efforts on improving relations between the Empire and adjacent Keris and Dovani states."

While the Chancellor did say that the focus of Kalistani Foreign Relations is on Anantonese Nations, he also did note that Kalistan hoped to reach out to other Seleyan Nations as well.  "For far too long, our empire has worried about what Artania is doing, what Majatra is doing.  Those continents 1) don't care whether Kalistan is involved in their petty squabbles or not, and 2) don't really step up to the plate when it comes time to put up or shut up in those conflicts.  So, over the last decade and a half, Kalistan has spent billions of rubles in conflicts that are Artanian Conflicts, not Kalistani ones, and further more, Kalistan has taken those conflicts far more seriously than Artania has.  Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives in what is essentially an Artanian problem.  The problem is not solved, and it is unlikely that Artania will solve it, so, Kalistan hopes to adjust our focus to states that matter for the security of the Empire.  None of whom are in Artania or Majatra."

The Chancellor notes the positive reception that His Imperial Majesty received in both Dolgava and Egelion in recent years.  "The beginning of His Imperial Majesty's Reign was marked by bloodshed and death," said the Chancellor.  "But Kalistan is rebuilding and moving toward a much more positive future.  The Government is hoping to build on the positive diplomatic foundations laid down by Emperor Fredrick III Ananto and the Empress Consort in their recent visits to Keris, and expand the diplomatic initiatives to both Vorona and Dalibor, as well as to Lourenne, Talmoria, Sekowo, and Indrala in the near future.  Building good relationships and strong ties with our neighbors is good for peace and stability in this region, as well as economic prosperity for all our nations."

The Chancellor also gave a brief report of improving trade via Keris.  "We are already beginning to see a recovery of the standard of living in Kalistan as many new and familiar products produced abroad are returned to our department stores," said Sir David Levine.  "Kalistanis can wear cotton and linen, but we love silk.  Domestic production is fine to meet daily need, but Kalistani consumers also enjoy foreign made goods too.  With the wars, all those things were interrupted.  But trade with Egelion and Dolgava make it possible to bypass other less friendly suppliers of consumer goods completely."  The Chancellor noted that trade volume with Gaduridos and Lodamun have both increased as well, following a wartime contraction.

Finally the Chancellor touted the Government's Cultural exchange programs.  "As our focus shifts toward closer relations with our neighbors, I am also happy to note that several major universities here in Kalistan are offering study abroad credits to students who wish to take a year of education in Dolgava, Egelion, Lourenne, Seko, Vorona, Indrala, Talmoria or Xsampa.  These programs, which are offered through a new Consortium of International Education Opportunity (CIEO), includes fifteen colleges and universities, as well as three technical colleges, that will cover the tuition of study abroad for their students for up to one full year and will count all credits earned toward the student's degree program here in Kalistan.  This is a first such large scale commitment to making this sort of program an offering for Kalistani Students in a generation and is aimed at exposing Kalistani Students to countries outside of the Anantonese Empire.  So far more than 1500 students have applied for the program in just four short months."  The Chancellor expressed his hope that Anantonese Nations will reciprocate and that Kalistan can welcome students from other nations to the Empire.

The Chancellor's speech was very welcomed by Deputies and ends months of speculation about the direction of the new Government and the attitude of the new Chancellor regarding Kalistan's orientation in the world.

@TheRepublic