A state visit, closed.(Romberg)

[Romberg]

"Our main aim for our military uniform is to be grand and assertive while still being subtle, hence we'd not use such elaborate designs as yours. As for the meat, I don't have much idea what they are, since it'd be whatever they shot that day, but if I'm not wrong, you're probably right, although I think there's bear and beaver as well."

[Krjder]

"Bear and beaver, how odd. Better not tell the children! Ha ha" chuckled tha Küser. Krïdan children are encouraged to eat unusual food, so it was only a joke. In reality the children would be more than happy to eat bear or beaver.

[Romberg]

"Well, it's summer, so it's open season. If you like to do it, I can even arrange for you to do a bit of hunting in a couple of days." the Kaiser said. "It's part of our culture, and quotas are strictly enforced, so that the wildlife population is maintained."

[Krjder]

"Yes, I do love hunting. The Crown Prince likes it too. It's a big thing in Krjder as well."

[Romberg]

The Kaiser thus summoned an assistant over, and asked for hunting equipment to be sent to the Northwest. It would not be used for several days, but still the preparations should be made as soon as possible.

It was time for dessert too, this time a cheesecake made from fresh cow's cheese from another farm, and with a wild berry sauce and toppings.

[Krjder]

"Ah, a cheesecake. This is different"

[Romberg]

"Well, after modernization and opening up to the outside world, we've also decided to incorporate some dishes from other cultures within our repertoire. But it's made from local ingredients, such as cheese made from Rombergian cows, and besides, once again the fruit preserve and fresh fruit are wild berries from the central mountains, unique to our nation and a twist on the proven recipe."

[Krjder]

"Ah, how eco-friendly is your nation?"

[Romberg]

"Well, I'd say moderately. For example, we don't have any more fossil fuel power stations, and all our electricity comes from nuclear fission of uranium, but yet on the other hand, we still drill and export a lot of oil. In addition, our cars mainly still run on petrol, and although they have rather clean emissions these days, hybrids and electric cars are still not very popular because of cheap fuel prices. Public transport is used moderately often though. Recycling and sorting of trash is mandated, and in addition we do pay quite a bit of attention to preserving the natural environment and the wildlife in our nation, yet on the other hand we still allow limited hunting, with established quotas. What about your nation?"

[Krjder]

"We take it all very seriously. Children learn about it in school. Young children have an 'Artkje enüd Kraftkje' (arting and crafting) day, where they bring in junk and build stuff." All establishments must have a recycling bin. And the new edition of the Froschwijk, our car company is an electric car. All our trains are electric. Our huge and effective transport system means less fuels and more people. What's more much of our energy comes from, hydro, solar and wind power. "

[Romberg]

"Wow... it seems like we have a few things to learn from you guys then..." the Kaiser chuckled. "But at first, wouldn't there have been quite a bit of opposition? I've though of making our nation more strict on the environment, but so far some of the Grand Council thinks otherwise, and we still don't have an absolute majority yet..."

[Krjder]

"Well, businesses that use fossil fuels or green house gases are taxed heavily. There isn't too much opposition. Partly because we love the environment"

[Romberg]

"That's quite a noble aspiration, I suppose. But what's your tax rate in the first place? We'd have one ranging from 15% to 45% progressive, based on income.

[Krjder]

"Our tax is around 55%."

[Romberg]

"Wow, that's quite high! We thought our tax rates were high enough because of our huge social safety net, when it turns out that your nation took it to another level!"

[Krjder]

"Yes, although the people aren't too bugged. Apart from three compulsory sectors, they can choose where their tax goes. "

[Romberg]

"Ah, I see. Well, it seems that your tax dollars are put to good use then. But don't you think 55% is a bit too high? I mean over half their salary goes to the government instead of themselves..."

[Krjder]

"It's a problem we are trying to resolve. But it also covers the national health and education systems. Along with police and firefighters. So, it levels out."

[Romberg]

"I see. I suppose this'll justify the tax rates then. Thank you for giving me such insight to taxation and running the country." the Kaiser said.

The dishes were then cleared, and the rest of the night was technically free for the Krjderians, although the Rombergian royal family were more than willing to provide accompaniment to them for the night.

[Krjder]

"My younger children are very tired, they will go to bed. But my wife, Anton and I will stay and talk."

[Romberg]

"Well, sure. We're here to listen, although I think Wilhelm would have to get some work done tonight, so he won't stay for long." the Kaiser replied and waited for the Küser's children to leave the dining hall.

[Krjder]

The children left. And the Küser reclined. "The world is s-such, such, such a place now! It's so, violent and messed up."

[Romberg]

"Yeah, it's a messed up place alright, but it's the only world we know and we have. There's very little else that we can do, although it's possible for us to suffer less of the results. That's why, in Rombergian official foreign policy and doctrine, we emphasise self-determination of independent states and minimal intervention, only when it is absolutely necessary or when help is requested by foreign nations, yet on the other hand we maintain enough nuclear deterrents and military capabilities to protect Rombergian sovereignty and interests. We don't like violence, and we would generally not use it, but when the time calls for it, we would strike hard to teach them a lesson."

[Krjder]

"The Geographical position Krjder is in means that we have grown to be used to war. To Krjder's east are all Arabic/Turcic nations, very few of them are civilised. Apart from Kajikistahn (a Krïdan Vassal) and The Turkic Lands, a fast growing Turcic super power. Then to our north are all the liberal hippies trying to bring us down. We have no Germanic neighbours. Beacause Krïdans, apart from the Dalktrésians come from a Germanic tribe, far north called the Wallahükas. And we traveled here by boat. Then to our west we have the Latino countries. We get on well with them... Especially Bengaria, but just us two against the entire continent isn't enough."

[Romberg]

"I guess our geographical location let us get off easily then. Our nation is essentially one giant peninsula jutting of the main coast of our region, and our only land border is hence one with allied states. As such, we do not have many enemies at our door, perhaps simply because we try not to make enemies in the first place. Of that border too, passport and customs controls has been abolished, which also contributed to our economic progress in no small amount. As for maritime borders, we do have some with various Northern Arctic states, but it's stable and by and large, we have positive relations with other nations near us. I guess our combination of left-wing welfare state economics and right-wing nationalism and military contributed much to our successful relations with nations on both sides of the political spectrum."