[TWI-Only] [IC] Gael Four Commission

[Samudera]

It's already three hours since he had been in this plane, heading towards Ainslie. This is not his first time visiting Ainslie, nor it is his first time representing his nation on an international organisation. Still, he couldn't really shake the nervous feeling every time he had the honour to represent Samudera elsewhere. This should be fine, he whispered to himself.

Arriving at the Gael Four Commission building, he quickly straightened his posture. He may be a quite old man, but certainly not a weak one. Entering the chamber, he quietly took the seat provided for him. He then proceeded to introduce himself. "Hello, my name is Indra Rataria and I'm here to represent Samudera's interest in joining Gael Four."

[Agadar]

"Welcome," count-palatine Blackburn said. He neatly stacked the booklets given to him earlier by Mehnard and softly pushed them to the side, making room for his tablet, before looking up.

"Let us get straight to the point: what kind of membership do the federated islands seek?"

[Samudera]

Clearing his throat, Rataria said with much confidence, "Samudera currently is seeking partial economic membership, along with immigration and travel partial membership." He read his copy of Mandara Accord before continuing, "As some of you may know, Samudera is currently liberalising its economy sector, aiming to improve both economy and the welfare of many Samuderans. We believe that Gael Four could provide a significant advantage by cooperating with its member nations."

I'm seeking partial membership that makes me abide both economic and immigration clauses. If I couldn't join both, please tell me so i will revise this post

[Ostehaar]

"Before we go on," Mehnard said as Rataria finished, "can you elaborate a bit on your nation's ties with the EUSR? Specifically, the nature and scope of economic ties."

[Samudera]

Rataria had already prepared an answer for such question. 'What to be expected from Ostehaar's delegate', he thought to himself. He then began to speak, "It would be my pleasure to answer those important questions. As worrying as it may sounds, EUSR is merely a trade partner of Samudera. There is nothing particularly special about our relation with EUSR, other than it is one of our major importers. We, as other nations do, had been reducing our ties with EUSR after the announcement of the union itself, contrary to the popular belief."

Reading through his papers again, he then continued speaking, "Recent trade discussion with EUSR is to enact a deal of agricultural equipment from EUSR, as Samudera lacks the necessary industrial capability to produce such heavy equipment. It should be noted that Samudera's foreign relationships stance is 'free and active', in which we are mostly in good terms with most nations in the Isles. However, we see Gael Four as a much more strategic and advantageous trade partner. We will abide this commissions stance if a change is necessary, even if it means reducing ties with EUSR."

[Ostehaar]

"Thank you," Mehnard took some notes. He glanced around the table, "I'll let my friends here carry this on."

[Ainslie]

"I have no questions for the Samuderan delegation, do my Verdonian and Agadarian colleagues have any?"

[Agadar]

Blackburn scribbled something down on his tablet before looking up.

"The EUSR is one of Samudera's major importers, and you're currently engaged in trade discussions with them," he verified. "This means the EUSR potentially holds leverage over Samudera, seeing as they can halt the trade discussions or block Samuderan imports at any time, which would hurt Samudera's economy. If Samudera is to become a member of the Gael Four, then this means the EUSR can exercise influence over the Gael Four through their leverage over Samudera. Is there any way you can take away this worry?"

[Samudera]

Rataria was taken aback by Blackburn's question. He calmed himself down and finally addressed the question, "Your concern is understandable, Mr Blackburn. Our aim here is to lessen our dependence of EUSR import by joining G4, in which we hoped to get a much better offer regarding our agricultural equipment. We were hampered by tariffs and many things that make us turn into EUSR to equip our industry. One of Samudera's biggest project so far is to industrialise most of the nation that has been left behind, and improving our industrial capability, which in turn lessen our dependence on EUSR's import."

[Agadar]

"Very good," Blackburn replied softly as he scribbled something down again on his tablet. He then placed it on the desk and looked Rataria straight in the eye.

"I am not entirely familiar with Samudera's populace's general attitude towards the Gael Four and its member nations. I could, of course, inquire our own foreign affairs offices to discover this, but I'd much sooner hear it from you. Could you indulge us?"

[Samudera]

"With pleasure, Mr Blackburn. As I stated earlier, Samudera's foreign policy is mostly neutral. We adhered to a 'free and active' foreign policy, in which we are seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. This resulted in a friendly attitude towards most of Gael nations amongst the people of Samudera," Rataria read his notes before continuing again. The admission of his country relied on his presentation, and he can't let his country down.

"Some are already in good terms with Samudera, including Ainslie, Orsandia, and Dormill and Stiura. This remarkably good opinion regarding Gael is also the reasons why we wanted to join Gael Four."

[Agadar]

Blackburn briefly glanced down at his tablet before returning his gaze to the Samuderan envoy.

"Thank you for your answers, mister Rataria," he stated. "I have no further questions at this time."

He turned towards the Verdonian representative.

"I give the floor to mister de Rosselli."

[Verdon]

"No issues with the application are apparent to us - barring Samudera's involvement in the CU. However, it is our understanding that the CU economic structure is changing from a customs union to a free trade area. These changes are effective November 1st, and as such I'd like to call suspension of the vote until that date."

[Verdon]

Vidal returned to the Commission chamber, sat down, and pulled out a new set of dossiers that he carefully organized on the desk in front of him.

"Alright, I think we're all set here. No questions from me, Verdon is ready to approve the candidate Samudera."

[Ostehaar]

"I have nothing more to ask as well. Ostehaar will approve Samudera's requests."

[Ainslie]

"We also approve Samudera's requests."

[Agadar]

Having returned from remote talks with his colleagues and higher-ups in the Agadarian government, count-palatine Blackburn reclaimed his seat before stating his nation's decision on the matter.

"The kingdom of Agadar accepts Samudera's entry into the Gael Four," he stated.

[Ostehaar]

"Excellent," Mehnard said, "so Samudera is accepted as partial member, on the economic and the immigration and travel clauses. I'd like to thank Mr. Rataria for coming here and speaking to us."

[Ostehaar]

Mehnard rearranged his papers and got himself another warm cup of tea before moving on to the next issue on the agenda.

"With your permission, delegates, I'd like to turn your attention to a different matter. I'm not talking about another partnership proposel," he chuckled slightly, "but on a matter of foreign affairs." He took a sip of his tea and continued.

"I'm talking about the Atnaian quarantine camps or debtors' camps, which have increased in scale since the summer of 2016. Evidence from within these camps are gradually accumulating, joining information readily available though Atnaian news reports. For example, on the twelfth of August this year, ANN reported that, and I quote, 500 Asorist sympathizers were executed in the past week, with a further 500 executions scheduled for the next week. If we assume that this is the average rate, we're looking at roughly 24,000 executions of political opposition supporters during one year. A year ago, the same news network reported on the opening of an 'academy' which would be used to educate children taken out of the workhouse and debtor's prison systems. This is re-education. Add to that mass arrests of political dissidents, and you've got a regime that has exhausted its moral capital."

"As you know, Ostehaar has been a close ally of Atnaia for a long time. However, my government had decided that this friendship, which was based on mutual interests and similar values, has lost its basis. At the moment, my friend Tomas, our delegate in the League, is working with other nations to sponsor and promote a condemnation of these camps. Recent updates indicate that he's got support from Covonant, who also agreed to assist with convincing the C6, and I believe other Mesder powers would support this."

"What I'm asking you here is to support this as well, raise the issue with your government, and help me promote this with other nations. For example, delegate Downey," he turned to the Ahnslen, "if your nation would help 'recruit' CU members as well, it would be appreciated. If we could get this resolution to pass, it would be helpful in later steps such as suspension of Atnaia's membership in the Coalition of Free Nations, and perhaps even sanctions further down the road, if the camps remain active."

[Ainslie]

"Perhaps you may want to speak to our Parlai directly? They're only a few blocks away and I can organise something for you. A meeting with a JC may get things across the line too..."

[Ostehaar]

"That would have been the right step, but unfortunately I have specific instructions to make the Oster involvement in this seem as minimal as possible. My government is still sort of 'testing the ground' with this, which is also why Ostehaar won't be the one formally sponsoring the resolution - that would be Dormill and Stiura. This might change if we would see the issue gathering momentum or public attention, or if we would have no other option."

[Agadar]

"Some of the Hegemony's methods may be disagreeable in the eyes of the greater Western community," Blackburn replied, "but I am not in favor of giving the Atish reason to be agitated by the Gael Four, and thus by extension, Agadar. We do not see the Gael Four as a podium for foreign moralistic politicians to direct international contempt towards our serene kingdom."

[Ostehaar]

"I can understand that," Mehnard replied, "but would your nation vote for such a condemnation if it would be brought to the League?"

[Agadar]

"The kingdom of Agadar is not a member of the League," Blackburn said. "Hence, we have no vote in the matter."

He briefly observed Mehnard's tea-drinking ways before continuing.

"If your governments are so passionate about condemning the Hegemony, then I would like to ask you to advise your governments to stay away from the spotlight. Don't become the face of the condemnation, and thus the focus of Atnaia's agitation, as that agitation will trickle down on the Gael Four and upon Agadar, even if my government nor the Gael Four has any part in it. Letting Dormill and Stiura sponsor the resolution, not Ostehaar, is a wise decision, the kind of which we appreciate."

[Dormill and Stiura]

Valentine Clément steps out of the simple yet elegant state car that had escorted her from Arnton to the Westfall Building, her hair waving behind her in the breeze of the Ahnslen Winter. Holding herself high, she briskly walks into the building, where the Gael Four Commission awaits the Dormill-Stiuraian Ambassador. After being ushered into the main room of the Commission, she proceeds quickly to her seat in front of the remaining members and sets herself up for the Admission Process.

"Good Afternoon to you all, I am Valentine Clément, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Gael Four for the Federal Republic of Dormill and Stiura. As such I am authorized by the National Congress of the Federal Republic to initiate the process of the accession of the Mandara Accords in full. I sincerely hope that our nation shall work with its neighbors to further the prosperity of ourselves and of Gael as a whole.