September 11, 2016
Coventry, CovonantPresident Morris departs Covonant for CallumstanPlane transporting President Morris leaves Coventry, Covonant
In what is described as the longest state visit in the Union's history, came to an end yesterday at noon. President John Morris of Callumstan, after spending weeks in Covonant left the Coventry International Gateway Airport yesterday en-route to Crannock, Callumstan. The President boarded the aircraft around 12 pm. On Friday, the State Banquet was held in honour of Mr. Morris and was attended by foreign ambassadors, government officials, celebrities and other important officials in Covonant. At the banquet the Prime Minister Imperatus Marl in making a toast to President Morris expressed joy at the visit and noted his confidence in the relation between both countries going forward.
After weeks of discussions, ceremonies, talks and agreements, and countries establishing long lasting ties, we tonight reflect on the past weeks, and to end the visit of President Morris of Callumstan. This visit may be coming to an end, but the workings discussed and agreed upon will have just began. I am pleased with how the visit have been dealt with and the events that took place, I am pleased that Covonant has an ally that she can rely on and pleased that Callumstan has an ally that they too can rely on. I am happy to have forged personal friendship with President Morris, and confident in the future of both nations even when my time is nearing its end as Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Marl also noted his confidence on matters agreed on by both him and President Morris will be also accepted by Covonantians as well.
I expect harsh days ahead with conflicting views on what we have agreed on, but I am confident that it will be agreed upon due to the nature of our region. We have showed President Morris every bit of Covonantian hospitality that we could serve up. Our customs, our traditions, our ceremonies, and might I add the President performed his role well in them. As we celebrate the visit, let us look forward to the future together hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder as we chart a path many nations have not charted nor have gone before.
In his final speech on his visit to Covonant, President Morris expressed appreciation for the welcome and hospitality he had received while in Covonant.
Thank you, Prime Minister Marl, and thank you all, for treating me so kindly, and so warmly, during my stay here. I had never visited Covonant before becoming President, and I have to say, this certainly will not be my last time in your country. You have shown me, such warm hospitalities and I am truely grateful, for the time I have had here.
He however took a different tone from the Prime Minister expressing hope instead of confidence.
I do not know, what the future holds, in terms of the relationship of our nation, I cannot foresee changes in the future, both in terms of international circumstances and in the leadership of both our nations. My hope, is that my visit here will have strengthened our nation's bonds, to the point that no matter who leads Covonant or Callumstan, no matter what the world stage looks like, we will remain strong allies. And as I leave Covonant today, I wish to extend, a personal thank you to all those who I have meet on this trip, all the Government workers, military personnel, staff in every sector, the Government Ministers, President Gauis, and in particular Prime Minister Marl, who has, become a friend to me, which is difficult to come by, as leader of a country, and I wish to extend to him, and others, that whatever the circumstances, you are always welcome to come and visit Callumstan.
The state visit came about as a result of both countries government approving the establishing of military alliances and joint bases.
Prime Minister Marl expresses shock at the actions taken by Taziristan towards Upper NorselandPrime Minister Imperatus Marl speaking to Lidia Granger on POLITALK
Speaking on CBC ONE night-time programme POLITALK, Prime Minster Marl who was a guest was asked by the programmes host Lidia Granger whether the Prime Minister was aware of actions north of the Union and if so what was his initial reaction.
I was briefed on the events that were taken place in Upper Norseland and to be frank, I was shocked.
The Prime Minister expressed that he would have hoped another route would have been taken by the Taziristani government who he believes as lost the confidence and trust of the Union and most states in the region.
I think that a different option could have been explored by them (Taziristani government). They could have used the League more effectively and might I add they were making progress in the League. Their action comes as not only a surprise to Covonant and other states in the region, but also as a betrayal to us for lending support when the incident of Taziristan nationals being persecuted for their religion in Upper Norseland.
When asked whether Covonant will respond or play a role in the events, the Prime Minister had this to say.
I would not want to make a rash decision on such a sensitive matter, noting that most of the information I have received is in the form of reports. The best that I think we can do is to deal with this conflict as a region instead of going it alone. I am not one who wants an open conflict at this time, nor do I think the rest of the country. But we are monitoring the situation and making assessments as we go along. Our representative in the league as given the strongest condemnation.
The Prime Minister was also asked whether sanctions will be directed towards Taziristan.
We are working out an effective way to deal with the situation diplomatically, sanctions will be explored. Presently none as been drafted by the Consul to implement.
Host Mrs. Granger went a step further in the talks to ask the Prime Minster whether Covonantians were deliberately left in the dark on the actions taken by Taziristan.
Prime Minister, one could not help but notice that major news network in the country had opted from reporting on the invasion of Upper Norseland by Taziristan, would you say this had anything to do with your administration, or were you aware of any attempts to not have the incident reported in Covonant?
-Lidia Granger
I have no authority over what is reported on in the country, nor was I aware of any attempt being made to have the incident not being reported in Covonant. I have heard reports of the incident on the radio, it is all over the internet, so Covonantians are not withheld information or prevented other access to information
The Prime Minister notes that the Covonantian representative in the league will use that medium to arrive at the best solution to the conflict.
Prime Minister breaks his silence on future alliance between Covonant and CallumstanInside the Consul's chamber where the Prime Minister will deliver his bill
Prime Minister Marl gave an exclusive report on what was discussed between him and the Callumstani President concerning a future alliance. The Prime Minister was speaking on the CBC ONE night-time programme POLITALK.
Mr. Morris and I have both agreed to the formation of a bloc that would see a more intertwining of relations that would span not only our militaries, but our economies, or societies, and to a lesser extent our politics.
The Prime Minister noted that this bloc will ensure greater cooperation between both countries and he stated that other nations will be allowed to join subsequently after its formation.
I am a strong believer that this bloc will lead to greater ties and stronger cooperation between Covonant and Callumstan, and President Morris and I have expressed our hope of including other nations as well with the goal of developing stable nations and a more open freer and peaceful Isles.
The Prime Minister when asked further questions, declined to provide answers as he expressed the issue is in its early stages and he is yet to bring it to the Consul to have it debated and a motion taken to have it voted on.
Political commentator Mikael Stokes however believes that the Prime Minister may have a hard time convincing members of the Consul to vote for the bill.
I think this week in the Consul will be an interesting one, with reference to the Prime Minister introducing that controversial bill. Many already have expressed opposition to it. In fact there is not one opposition member that have expressed support for it, and even members of the Prime Minister's own party have expressed though in a softer tone, that they find it hard to support it. And I think for most of them the issue of free movement is what will drag this bill into the ground.
Mr. Stokes is of the view that the Prime Minister may have to use Executive Order if he wish to see the bill passed. An action Mr. Stokes believe may bear crucial consequence.
I don't see the Prime Minister having much of an option if he cant secure a 2/3 majority vote with at least a quarter of that 2/3 vote being from the opposition. I don't think he will have much success in convincing them, and I am expecting him to execute an Executive Order to have it passed, which is a sticky little privilege granted to our Prime Ministers due to its nature of causing unrest not only in the Consul but also on the streets. Many Prime Minister's have opted from using Executive Orders because of the problems it tends to create. Many see it as the PM going against the views and opinions of elected officials and the PMs not acting democratically. So I expect interesting times this week in our Consul
The Prime Minister is expected to deliver the bill to the Consul on Tuesday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs announce State Visit of Prime Minister of Norstham to CovonantThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs late yesterday afternoon have announced the approval of a state visit of the Prime Minister of The Free Land of Norstham Mr. Jeremy Abbing to Covonant this coming Monday. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Mrs. Likalia Cassia noted that the visit would focus on trade, diplomacy and travel arrangements.
We have been in dialogue with the foreign ministry in Norstham and they have outlined the Prime Minister's need of wanting to officially visit the Union. We have both agreed to bilateral talks that would focus on trade arrangements, establishing diplomatic ties and also discussing travel arrangements of persons from Norstham to Covonant and vice versa. These talks will be held between the Prime Minister of The Free Land of Norstham Mr. Jeremy Abbing and the Prime Minister of The Union of Covonant Mr. Imperatus Marl and relevent Ministers of key governmental Ministries.
The Chief Protocol Officer Mr. Gregory Mair have expressed his confidence that the visit will go smoothly and an itinerary has already been designed.
One may think that this visit coming right after another state visit has ended might be a challenge to host, but we have various agencies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that work behind the scenes ensuring that state visits are conducted smoothly. I am confident that this visit will be successful and already we have an itinerary of events designed.
The Police Chief of the Coventry Metropolitan Area have expressed readiness in providing security for the Prime Minister on his visit to Covonant and has already drafted the routes that the Prime Minister's motorcade will travel on.
With the visit of any head of government or state to Covonant we want to ensure that the security detail is organised as well as outline the routes that the visiting dignitary will travel on giving us ample time to divert traffic and be adept to providing additional security along those routes.
The Prime Minister of The Free Land of Norstham Mr. Jeremy Abbing is expected to arrive in the Union around 10 am and be provided a state visit ceremony to be held at the Palatine Manor.
Reporting: Gloria Stiles