Kalistan

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Empress and Chancellor head to Baltusia
Her Imperial Majesty becomes the first sitting Kalistani Monarch to visit Athosia
Johnston, Baltusia
September 20, 5650


Her Imperial Majesty is joined by Lady Alvarez as she sets foot for the first time in Baltusia

On a monumental moment in the history of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto became the first Duchess of Athosia to actually visit the Duchy. She was joined by Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller on the first State visit to Baltusia in anyone's memory. The visit caps off a decade of diplomatic reproachment and repair that began as Baltusia threw off its long syndicalist past and began building bridges with its neighbors.

Both Her Imperial Majesty and Lady Alvarez are related to the new King, The Empress by Adoption and the Chancellor by blood, and the State visit will be an opportunity for the Northern Seleyan Relatives to meet one another and get to know each other as colleagues and friends. But before that, Her Imperial Majesty and the Lady Alvarez flew into the Port city of San Luis, on the Anantonese Coast, and were warmly greeted by hundreds of well wishers who turned out to see the Kalistani Empress, the first time for any of them.

"Her Imperial Majesty was quite impressed by the welcome we received in San Luis," said the Lady Alvarez. "I, of course, have been to Baltusia numerous times for family gatherings and to travel through to Gaduridos, but Her Imperial Majesty, who received a genetic obsession with this place and heard stories from generations of Anantos about Athosia, has never had the opportunity to visit. She had only been here for a few minutes, and said she was so happy to have the opportunity to come to a place she described as magical. And so many of the residents turned out to welcome her at the airport, she was immediately charmed beyond expression."

Both the Empress and Chancellor were shown around the port city in the evening, and then they took an overnight public bus from San Luis to the capital of Johnston, where they arrived just this morning, to prepare for their visit with the King. During the five day state visit, the Empress and the King are scheduled to not only talk casually, but also discuss increased trade, capital investment, and the potential for deepening economic integration in Northern Seleya. "There are rumors of a new integration treaty on the horizon for Northern Seleyan states. We are part of the Seleyan Economic Community, but I think the focus here will be on the Northern region specifically. But I think there are a lot of things the two Heads of State want to talk about, including increasing general affinity between our two states."

The meetings will also be attended by First Minister Merridan, whom Her Imperial Majesty has expressed some admiration for recently. "The Empress believes he is handling the security situation in Baltusia following the horrible security breeches quite well," said Lady Alvarez. "Sometimes you have to take extraordinary measures to restore order, and Her Imperial Majesty believes that to be a paramount characteristic of every functioning state." Lady Alvarez says she looks forward to discussing regional trade, investment and security with the Baltusian Premier while the Empress meets with the new Baltusian monarch.

So far the historic state visit is off to a fantastic start, and spirits and optimism for a new relations are high. More details to follow.

@TheRepublic