Kalistani Major History

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FM Addresses new Diplomacy with Lourenne and Luthori
Long-standing Diplomacy Chief announces retirement
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 31, 5495


Dame Diane Smith welcomes developments abroad

In a not-unexpected development, long serving Diplomat and head of Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Service, Dame Diane Smith, has announced her intention to retire. Dame Smith started her career more than 50 years ago when she was in her 20s. Over her tenure in office, Dame Smith has negotiated Kalistan's position in a major international war, has participated in numerous international conferences and has seen a dramatic improvement in Kalistan's global reputation. Now in her early 80s, Dame Smith looks forward to living out the remainder of her time on Terra travelling and seeing many of the places in the world that she was not able to visit in an official capacity. Her retirement is set for December of this year.

Before she retires, however, Dame Smith has organized a successful state visit for the visiting King of the United Kingdom of Lourenne, King Leopold V, who toured the Empire earlier this month. Following a major reception in the capital, Her Imperial Majesty, the King joined the the Empress Nicolette and The Prince Consort Victor in a review of the regular forces of the Third Army. Following the military review, the two sovereigns travelled to the National Assembly, where the Empress introduced King Leopold as the "Legitimate Heir of the Legacy of Queen Catherine, and Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Lourenne, King Leopold the Fifth" before inviting him to speak in the Upper House Chambers, before all assembled Deputies and Peers. The reason that the event occurred in the Upper House Chambers is that Kalistani Custom forbids foreign nationals from speaking in the Lower House on any matter. Though just down the hall from the Lower House Chambers, the venue is considered to be far more stately, and is usually reserved for functions such as this.

Following the first day's activities, the King was treated to a banquet at the Ananto Estate in Eveari. In attendance were the members of Her Majesty's Government, including Lady Kelly Newburg-LaRoc, who spoke at length with His Majesty the King, and discussed communication between the governments of Kalistan and Lourenne. Lady Newburg also briefed the King on the Canrillaise diaspora in Ananto. The King noted that the welcoming of the Lourennais community in Ananto was a cornerstone in the good continued relations between Kalistan and Lourenne. That evening the King was treated to a performance by noted Ananton singer Margurite LaRoux, who performed a major classical-era aria for the King, in Canrillaise. She was accompanied by pop musician Tanya Wegner, who played piano for the event.

The next day, King Leopold travelled to Yoshimi with Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Science Bill Douglas, who gave the King a tour of the research facilities at University of Kalistan. The King took in a presentation of the joint work being done on both sides of the Meridian Strait to develop bio diesels and biopolymers, After the Presentation, the King took a trip on RailSul to Sulari for the evening, where another dinner was scheduled with the Grand Duke of Kalistan, Duke Brad Morris-Montanya. Dame Smith joined the dinner in Sulari, and the two discussed cross Strait relations late into the evening.

At noon the following Day, the Empress herself was on hand to see the Royal Entourage off back to Lourenne. The three-day visit was the longest a sitting Lourenne Monarch has spent in Kalistan in centuries, and is seen as a high mark in Kalistan-Lourenne relations, and caps off a string of successes in Kalistani foreign relations, including the imminent Luthorian recognition of the 2nd Ananto Strait Comprehensive Accord. "This is a major step forward for Kalistan-Luthori relations," said Dame Smith earlier this month. "It is a unilateral move on the part of the Luthorians to join that treaty. But it is a major step forward and demonstrates a commitment to working with Her Imperial Majesty in building a new relationship of peace and understanding. If the Luthorians do adopt the treaty that will open up a door that I believe Her Imperial Majesty is ready to walk through." That said, the matter is not a done deal, and whoever represented the Imperial Court in Luthori, it will not be Dame Smith.

"I absolutely look forward to retiring," said Dame Smith. "I'll hand the position over in January to my deputy, John Collins, who will manage the Ministry until Lady Newburg names my replacement. I suppose at that point, the permanent Minister will be dispatched. I am meanwhile very proud to have finished my own tenure in Her Imperial Majesty's Ministry, and look forward to travelling the world as a private citizen!"