« By your definition? And I’m missing the point? » ironised Therz, « Next time I need interpretations regarding our Constitution I shall ask you therefore » said in a sarcastic manner Therz, « We offer you the chance to exchange, discuss, be cordial, and you come and tell us how we shall do and insult us? ». « The Heyrana Respublica’s have no overseas territories, and I must say that you are insulting millions of our fellow countrymen and women. With that said, I have no further will to discuss with the representative of the Holy Empire of Achkaerin, heyran position being most clear against such, and impossible to comply with, alongside insulting, declaration from the achkaerinese representative » ended Therz, letting the space for anyone else willing.

The new Queen was a little nervous. With the CNN monarchs it was different as she was facing a group that she knew were already friends with the Lodjains and had a track record of co-operation with the Queendom. Here though with Zamenhuf there was a nation that they knew very little about and their Queen. Natalya was unsure how best to approach this situation and had insisted on wearing a formal outfit as would be expected of the Queen, the pale blue dress with gold stitching. The Queen had selected a room that overlooked the bay towards Gaia and had asked the new Lord of the Conclave, Lubos Kubik, to join them. He was much more experienced than her in terms of politics but just like Natalya this was his first taste of international diplomacy.

"Good morning Queen Anne-Marie" Natalya greeted her as she was shown into the room alongside her advisers. Natalya waited for them to be introduced before taking a seat of a large sofa with a view out the window. She had sat next to Anne-Marie and turned to face her. "I'm thankful that you came our nation has been through a harsh year or so and to trust us to be safe enough for you to visit in such an exposed event means a great deal to me and the government of Lodja. I think I see some similarities between us, you're a nation that has placed a great focus on arts and cultural capital during your history meanwhile this Palace until very recently was often the home of poets, artists and important scholars. Sadly the recent turmoil has changed that for now but I am determined that the Palace will regain its position as a great hub for creativity, culture and art.  Perhaps that can be a start point for our discussions."

"No I'm not." Siora said "Heyra is a MICA Nation, it's home territory, unless you're about to tell us that Juhi or Elysium is your home territory, sits in the MICA region it is therefore under my proposal unaffected."

Siora leaned over to whisper something in Vivian's ear, the First Minister nodded and excused herself for a moment, the reason was simple Siora had an idea but it needed backing.

"What I'm hearing is that you have questions and concerns around the Emperor, I trust him you don't maybe that's because I know him better than you do but it's clearly not something we can address here, you have issues about Achkaerin's relationship with the CSTO, but in my view you're confusing unilateral actions taken by one member of that alliance as being taken by the whole alliance." she took a breath "Given your worries about influence and such perhaps MICA should rework it's charter to address that issue." she put a piece of paper on the table

Any nation with access to the Mhorish or Illumic coastline may become a member of this organisation by agreeing to abide by its articles and aims. Any nations admission may be stopped should a motion to not admit be presented and supported by 75% of voting members.

"That's currently the sole provision in the MICA charter that deals with membership, no mention of native, just who has access. The principle of all nations meeting the criteria being able to join isn't bad as it avoids a two tier situation developing but it does as you allude to risk diluting the authority of the native nations to make the decisions. So if I may make a suggestion:" she put another piece of paper on the table

1. Any nation with access to the Mhorish or Illumic coastline may become a member of this organisation by agreeing to abide by its articles and aims. Any nations admission may be stopped should a motion to not admit be presented and supported by 75% of voting members.

a) Nations native to the MICA region (in terms of sovereignty) shall be referred to as Permanent Members.
b) Nations not native to the MICA region but who have the coastline access shall be referred to as Associate members
c) Both Permanent and Associate members shall be allowed membership of MICA bodies and to be present at meetings
d) Both Permanent and Associate Members may propose matters for debate and participate in debate.
e) Only Permanent Members may vote.

"I hope King David won't mind the heavy borrowing from the Illumic Council wording, but I trust you see what I'm suggesting here, restructuring the membership to keep the decision making power with the natives while allowing those that have a stake in the region but aren't native, such as Achkaerin, to be present and contribute but the votes stay in the Illumic and Mhorish. You then expressed concerns about the economic issue, that's a little more tricky but I'll take a shot at it, maybe something like this." she picked up a copy of the previously agreed amendment and quickly noted some stuff

2. All members agree to the following trade agreements.

a) All materials gathered in the MICA region (defined as geographically the Mhorish Sea and Illumic Channel) may be traded tarriff free so long as they remain unprocessed.
b) All materials gathered outside the MICA region shall be required to pay a tariff once they reach a nation that the gathering nation would normally pay tariffs in.
c) All materials that have been processed in a MICA nation (defined as a nation with 'home' territory within the MICA region or where there be no 'home territory' exclusively within sovereign territory in the MICA region) shall be traded tariff free.
d) All materials that have been processed outside a MICA nation but enter the region shall be eligible for tariffs at the first border they reach where the processing nation would normally pay tariffs.
e) All services may be traded tariff free.
f) Companies must abide by all local rules governing health and safety.
g) Companies must abide by all local laws governing prohibited materials and substances.
h) Companies must pay local taxes at the same rate as local companies

"What the suggestion in red does is make the MICA region clearly defined in geographic terms so that would to address King Rutger's economic access concern mean that minerals mined in Awhaele would be tariff free, whereas a mineral mined up north would not be. The suggestion in yellow does a similar thing for processed materials but does it in a way that doesn't impact anyone except the non natives, using the proposed permanent/associate membership to make the distinction, it builds a wall that keeps the benefits within the MICA region." she glanced over her shoulder at Vivian as if searching for confirmation and got the nod "And yes the Emperor will agree to that."

I and others presented their points and positions and resolved the matter of the Order of the Pen. Let's not reignite arguments.