Kalistan

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FM and Trade Minister fly to Valruzia
Authorized to conclude treaties that are favorable to good relations
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 7, 5633


Lady Anya Waltrip at Kaliburg International Airport

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Lady Anya Waltrip and Trade and Industry Minister Mel Green-Collins have flown to Valruzia to meet with Valruzian President Karolina Pietrzyk and strengthen relations between the two Northern Seleyan Nations.  "We're on a mission to first and foremost firm up diplomatic relations between our two countries," said Lady Waltrip to reporters at Kaliburg International before departing on the Mission.  "There are a lot of things that we will discuss during the next few days, and most important to Her Imperial Majesty is kicking off the Consular expansion and preparing to name a new Permanent Ambassador to Valruzia."

Trade Minister Greene said, "These are exciting times in Northern Seleya now.  We see both Valruzia and Tukarali throwing off their respective dictatorships.  Likatonia has also moderated their political ideology, and are now free of fascism.  The road is clear for a dramatic increase in trade, travel and cooperation between Northern Seleyan Nations!"  He said he looked forward to negotiating the Nickle processing accords, and other agreements related to tech transfer, sales of raw materials and opening markets for some Kalistani Products.  "We aren't going to go crazy," said Minister Greene.  "These are first steps and the last thing we want to do is come in and disrupt progress."

Lady Waltrip said she needed to clear the air about one matter in particular.  "The Valruzians were a little taken aback by some comments made by Her Imperial Majesty before the National Assembly.  I want to carry the reassuring message to the Valruzian Government on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty:  She is completely supportive of self determination for the Valruzian people.  We are prepared to do all we can to cooperate with the Current Administration.  She told me personally that her comments on communism were made after a particularly contentious session of the National Assembly, which was covered in our papers, and nothing she said was meant to disparage either President Karolina Pietrzyk or her KPW Party.  While she does personally disapprove of communism as an ideology in general, especially given that communism is outlawed in Kalistan, it is the more revolutionary variety that she was referring to.  Her intention was to express admiration for the words and thoughts of Chancellor Szymon Nowik and she deeply regrets any friction that her words have caused."  Lady Waltrip finished off her comments saying that the Empress said she is "eating crow" and advised the foreign minister to be especially accommodating to show that she was sincere in her apology.

Both Waltrip and Green were on message with regard to Kalistan's desire to go out of their way to support the democratic consolidation currently taking place in Valruzia.  "Kalistan is not known as a champion of democracy or populist movements," said Lady Waltrip.  "Quite the contrary, in fact.  But we are a much greater opponent of totalitarian states and brutal dictatorships.  If we can do anything to ensure that a non-totalitarian, popular, constitutional regime takes deep roots in our neighboring countries, we feel safer ourselves at home."  Waltrip said that the Kalistani government also reached out to the Tukarese Government with similar offers, but was told that Kalistan's assistance was not needed.  With a shrug, Lady Waltrip said "Well, you can't win them all.  As long as they also throw off their dictatorship, I suppose it doesn't matter if it happens with Kalistani or Valruzian support."

Waltrip and Greene are expected to be in Valruzia for about a week.  They will also discuss the potential of a Valruzian State visit to the Empire, which Lady Waltrip said Her Imperial Majesty would like very much.

@TheRepublic