Carloso—Kirishima Bilateral Summit 2018 (MT/IC/CLOSED)

[Flardania]

Arata couldn't help but flash a grin. "It is encouraging to see that you understand the many angles behind strengthening ties." Kasuga began. "I am certain that our aviation companies will be able to do likewise, furthermore my Ministry of Tourism already have some general marketing packages ready to be aired and placed in Carloso with some more targeted campaigns that can beginning once inform them on our talks. Of course this goes without saying but you are welcomed to mirror these efforts within Kirishima. I'm also sure that the Empress Tsubaki Institute would be interesting in opening a facility in your nation to provide a hub for learning our languages, culture, culinary skills, etc. although there is no rush on the latter." Kasuga added pleased on how the discussions are going.

[Greater Carloso]

"Of course." Tobón assured Kasuga, "I've heard good things about the Empress Tsubaki Institute. If we want to initiate authentic culture exchange between our two different nations, I think that this will be the ideal place to start. As you said, the institutions are hubs for learning of the various lingual and culinary traditions of your country. We can easily fast-track the establishment of a premise for this third level institution in Madrigal or Ebon. In addition to this, I am sure our Minister for Education and your equivalent would look forward to increased cooperation between Carlosian universities and their Kirishian equivalents in the areas of scientific development and research. Maybe some sort of student exchange programme would be in order as well? In future we might even be able to expand this is other SACTO-aligned countries."

[Flardania]

"I am both pleased that you have not only heard of the institute but also think highly of it." Kasuga began. "As for the exchange at the university level, this is something Minister Do Ha-Gi will be pleased to hear. She has been pushing for more exchanges for sometime. It would be great to expand this into other SACTO-Aligned nations as well , and the success of our bilateral exchange and cooperation will be the key to any potential expansion." Kasuga added

[Greater Carloso]

"I hope our common allies follow in our footsteps in the future." Tobón replied, "Continuing with the general topic of cultural exchange, our public broadcaster RTC has stated its interest in arranging for Kirishinan television programmes to be broadcast in Carloso. As you may be aware, we are finding that there is an ever growing market for Nifonese animation; mostly recently with the hugely successful St. Aida the Martyr and Fire Pagoda, historical and drama series. I'm sure the people of our nation will be just as open to experience the works of Kirishinan filmmakers and producers as we seek to distance ourselves from the creations of the anti-national, anti-Carlosian propaganda mills that we see now throughout the Western world. Providing an alternative to this mental poison is our best tool in the culture war and strengthening the bonds between our countries as we seek to be sovereign, not merely physically, but mentally and spiritually as well."

[Flardania]

"This is something the KBC always seeks to do so we would be open to receiving programming from Carloso in Kirishima." Kasuga began "However we have a talented and creative pool of artist, animators, and filmmakers that we often seek to cultivate. So we have a wide variety of genres and narrative both in the live action and anime variety. Given your culture, I....do not wish to offend your with some of our media so we will actively aid your nation in screening what is fit for Carlosian television. It is to be expected as we are not of the same demeanor of our Nifonese counterparts but through cooperation we should be able to overcome that." Kasuga added. Arata knew that Kirishinan media would not be an issue in Carlosian households. He wanted to express awareness of how unpleasant some Kirishinan programming could be in a devout Christian nation and preemptively assure that their would be quality control.

[Greater Carloso]

"Well, we aren't a country that favours censorship necessarily." Tobón, "To be perfectly honest, in a world now where the information spreads so easily, trying to control it is a laborious and, to be quiet frank, pointless exercise. I am sure there are many Carlosians who even now are enjoying the work of Kirishians online. RTC and the like, I am sure, will choose works that are truly respectful and representative of Kirishian culture and creativity."

Tobón looked around at the people lining the table, almost all with notepads in front of them, full of details of the talks that had just transpired between the two leaders. "I think we can break there Mr Kasuga. We managed to cover many topics in a short space of time, and our esteemed colleagues will be able to mull over the details further in smaller meetings. Now, I'm sure the press will be eagerly waiting for us to answer their questions outside."

[Flardania]

Arata glanced over towards Hisako who merely nodded her head back as her body language read touche. It was a measured response but not in the way anticipated. Kasuga wasn't the biggest fan of regulating what aspects of Kirishima gets to make it out to the world but was always ready to compromise to make sure compatible aspects can.

While Arata was expecting to allow series like Drift King, Magical Girls: Starlight, and Skies Unknown while restricting something like My Teacher is the Demon Lord due to it's occasional risqué presentation . Tobon answer made things easier on the Kirishinan government both logistically and politically

"Well I am really glad that we were productive. It would be a disappointment if the opposite occurred and this summit led to practically nothing thus far. Well the press is eager but hopefully for more then just a couple of soundbites." Kasuga joked

[Greater Carloso]

After a few minutes, the two men emerged from the building and back onto the steps that led down to Victory Square, while everyone who had accompanied them went elsewhere for the time being. As soon as they came into view, Tobón and Kasuga were lit up by camera flashes from the international media, which had gathered in front of the two podiums which the leaders would speak from. When Tobón eventually arrived, he glared disapprovingly at the press, waving his hand down. A second later, one of Tobón's security personnel flatly shouted at the crowd to stop taking photographs, which was immediately complied with. Should they have failed to comply with the directive, they would have been escorted away and their cameras confiscated or even destroyed. This could be regarded as an authoritative gesture on the Carlosian government's part, designed to remind everyone that most international and traditional press was regarded by Carlosians as the fifth column, rather then the fourth estate. Most Carlosians had little time for media that wasn't reflective of the country's nationalist, ultraconservative sentiments. Since the Blue Revolution in 2010 and National Salvation's rise to power, many domestic mainstream publications were effectively forced out of business by government-led boycotts. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case abroad. At the end of the day, the Carlosian government really didn't care, knowing that it was pointless to suppress information, since people nowadays did not really care about facts, rather the spin that was put on them. For now, it the Carlosian government was content to maintain this set-up.

Tobón began to speak first, "Myself and Mr Kasuga had a very productive meeting alongside experts from both countries about improving the cultural and economic relationship between our two countries. As members of SACTO, we are both committed to warding off the influence of communism in all its forms. Cooperation between Carloso and Kirishima goes back several years to our time in the IFC, where I think its safe to say both countries conducting themselves towards each other with mutual respect in mind. Since our admission to SACTO in 2017, our interactions with Kirishian diplomats has been nothing but cordial, and I look forward immensely to what will become of the relationship between our two great nations. Obviously, in a time of increasing economic and political instability and uncertainty internationally, its important that we have reliable and dependable allies not just for defence, but for trade as well. I expect our people will benefit hugely from this historic summit."

[Flardania]

After emerging the building and onto the steps leading down towards Victory Square, Kasuga took to the media differently than Tobón. Kasuga was unfazed while occasionally sporting his trademark grin. Upon arriving at the podium, the Drigeant rose an eyebrow at the way the press was made to stop taking what amounted to stock photos. It was a simple gesture; but it reminded him that despite the summit progress that was made, there were major differences that had to be acknowledged for there to be any meaningful partnership between the two nations.

While Carlosians were pleased living in an echo chamber consisting of their worldview, Kirishinans had an array of news from various sources, so long as it was legitimate reporting. It also couldn't blatantly attack Kirishinan traditions. Unlike westerners and other gaijin, Kirishinans had both cultural reasons (such as the teachings of Ahri, Hanarō, Tatsu and Emperor Aharo the Great) and historical reason (like the tujaeng period 1965-1979) for being like this. However many Kirishinans recognized that many gaijin media valued the almighty dollar or had ulterior motives. With that said, it was still uncomfortable for Kasuga to see such a display.

After Tobón spoke, it was Kasuga's turn to speak. "I would like to confirm the sentiments of Tobón-san. We came together quickly and soon found ourselves on similar pages in terms of improving our cultural and economic relationship. Our alignment has dated back to the IFC and has carried over into SACTO. Now while we haven't been very close in the past, we have always had a positive relationship. Now some would argue in Kirishima and perhaps here in Carloso as well that there are differences in beliefs, culture, and worldview. These differences are great enough to ask, how will we survive as allies. I say, like any friends or relative, no two societies will be on the same page about everything all the time. But when it comes to the core values, we agree and are on the same page be it the preservation of national identity or the opposition to communism. We are now living in a world more connected than ever before, which is great for business, tech, entertainment and socializing but it has its downsides as we seek to reap the benefits and mitigate the negatives. It is crucial to have reliable and dependable allies. This is just the beginning, and I expect people of all walks of life will find benefit in the aftermath of this summit."

[Greater Carloso]

Tobón nodded as Kasuga finished.

"Now, we will be able to take some questions!" he announced. Almost immediately, dozens of journalists raised their hands. Tobón scanned the crowd, seeing a sea of familiar faces that he had grown used to over his nearly ten years as President of the Executive Council. He saw one man in particular whose work he was a fan of. "Anderson, speak." The journalist immediately shot up from his chair and was handed a microphone by one of Tobón's assistants.

"John Anderson with The Madrigal Times." he began, "President, did you and Mr Kasuga discuss the relaxation of Carlosian immigration law or work visas during your meeting?"

"Obviously as everyone is aware here, we operate a very robust immigration policy in Carloso. That does not mean we are not open to people from friendly countries moving to Carloso and working here. We already have several thousand Nifonese, Riysians and others who are contributing greatly to our society, with full respect for our way of life, just as we respect the traditions of countries where our citizens are now living and working. I have said to my friend Mr Kasuga that we are open to offering several thousand work visas for Kirishians to come to Carloso, and he has indicated to me that Kirishima is likewise more than happy to receive Carlosians themselves. Next question!"