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Commonwealth House wasn't the best known of Achkaerinese royal residences but it was certainly up there in the picturesque stakes. The property, located in Rokkenjima, had been bought years earlier by the Crown Estate for the then Crown Princess now Empress Serenity (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=49.msg170#msg170) back when she'd been about to serve as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation hence the name of the property, it had also been where Serenity's cousin Sakura had lived during her tenure for the same position and while the Palace of Nations was located well beyond the hills that dominated the landscape that distance was now symbolic of the changing times, and yet the house that bore the name of an organisation that had been intended as the world's diplomatic forum was the place, by virtue of geography, for a meeting of significance. As requested by Empress Asuna of Rokkenjima Serenity had arranged a meeting between her and the Eijiro the Emperor of Daito, keeping it quiet had been the hard part but with a little bit of help from both camps it had been achieved. The problem with grand summits was that good and well intended diplomatic efforts had a habit of losing out to politics and the nature of the beast was that people couldn't appear weak or appear to have caved. Quiet meetings that were kept out of the public eye until after the fact had a higher probability of actually making progress and producing results at least in Serenity's experience anyway, people tended to want the same or similar things, they just disagreed over how to do it. She'd been at those tables, she'd seen it for herself and so a tight lid had been kept on this one, the message had been clear any leak to the press and this was off.
Serenity's presence in Rokkenjima was a simple enough thing to explain if questioned, it being the school summer holidays she was taking her daughters on holiday and considering that she was dating Princess Euphemia, Rokkenjima was hardly a surprise in that regard. Arrangements with Rokkenjima had also been fundamentally straightforward, a few miles away there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a new university which the Viceregent had been invited along to as the guest of honour this meant that the Imperial motorcade would be in the area, it also meant that it was a simple enough task for one car in that motorcade to peel off and head to Commonwealth House, this car of course carried the Empress of Rokkenjima. Arrangements with Daito had been slightly more complicated because it necessitated air travel as the transportation method but it had been achieved, an unmarked private jet escorted over the distance by Achkaerinese jets landing at a private airfield in the vicinity followed by a car journey. The logistics of getting the two monarchs there without tipping people off had been, theoretically at least, the hard part of the equation but Serenity had a very sneaky suspicion that the hard part was in fact what was about to happen. She'd spent her time down at the quite conveniently located beach, where the girls could make sandcastles and she could relax with a good audiobook. The plan was simple enough upon arrival Asuna and Eijiro were to be shown into the 'Round Table Room' a name taken from the room of the same name at the Marble Palace which served as the decision making place when things got very serious. In Commonwealth House it served as the primary meeting room and as might have been guessed from the name of the room it's centre piece was a large oak circular table, while a few family portraits hung on the walls, from the rooms window one could take in the quite beautiful lake that the house sat at the side of.
Serenity was actually having a little bit of a paddle in the water with her daughters when she got the word that Asuna and Eijiro had arrived and were waiting. Leaving the girls with Val, Astrid's translator, Serenity slipped on her flip flops and made her way up to the house, this would quite possibly be the first time she'd ever walked into a meeting wearing a t-shirt and shorts, not to mention the swimwear underneath. Moving her sunglasses up to her forehead as she walked into the room she smiled "I'm quite aware I'm not dressed for a diplomatic meeting so we can move past that. You're here because I was asked to set this up, as I have done so I have no intention of saying anything unless given reason to. However this is my house, I expect you to show respect to each other and to leave your egos at the door. There's a little island about four hundred metres away that forms part of this property and I've promised both my daughters that we're sleeping in the treehouse there tonight." Serenity said "So let me be clear this is about the future relationship between you two and the nations you lead, this is not a rerun of the Ardian Assembly debate, it is not an opportunity for you to score points, it is not the means for you to try and blame each other nor is it the place for you to try and one up each other, there will be no mention of Charles Ofdensen, rogue generals, Grand Duke Lascelles or anyone else involved in the affairs of the past at the first whiff of any of that I will terminate this meeting. You are here out of a hope to forge cooperation and/or a equilibrium you are not here to rake over old ground. Do not presume yourselves to be at any sort of an advantage over each other for neither of you are, do not presume yourself alone to have Achkaerin's support for you do not, do not trade on that. If you're at a loss as to how to begin consider this one of you is my biological niece the other is someone I consider my brother, if that's who you are to me what are you to each other?" she took a breath and took a seat at the table "So which of you's starting?"
"In such times, when there is much on the line, sometimes the least thinkable options are those which are most needed," she replied. "Give me a moment, please," she continued as she pulled out her two-in-one.
"...sorry for that, but here," she said as she removed the keyboard and handed the screen to the Emperor.
Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security Between The First Empire of Rokkenjima And The Empire of Daitō
The Pyrettania-Shinkyō Accord
Rokkenjima and Daitō;
Desiring to rebuild and formalize the foundation of peace existing between them, and to uphold the principles commonly shared between them,
Desiring further to encourage closer diplomatic, cultural and peaceful cooperation between them and to promote conditions of tranquility and prosperity in their countries,
Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Fair Seas Concordat, and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and governments,
Recognizing that they have the inherent right of individual and collective self defense,
Considering that they have a common concern in the maintenance of peace and security upon the Ardian continent and abroad,
Having resolved to conclude a treaty of friendship, mutual cooperation and security,
Therefore agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Parties undertake to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace, security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any manner inconsistent with international law and norms.
ARTICLE II
The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being.
ARTICLE III
The Parties will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and, at the request of either Party, whenever the security of the Parties or international peace and security upon Ardia is threatened.
ARTICLE IV
Each Party shall agree to share military intelligence that is believed to be in the interest of the safety and security of the other signatory.
Each Party shall station a commissioned officer with their respective commands to act as a liaison to ensure that actions by either party are not misinterpreted and to foster a spirit of trust and understanding.
Each Party shall agree to consult upon matters of common security and interests, when they concern Eastern Ardia, directly or abroad.
The terms of this Treaty shall not supersede those commitments already existing to other international accords.
ARTICLE V
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charters of international institutions.
ARTICLE VI
This Treaty shall be ratified by the First Empire of Rokkenjima and the Empire of Daitō in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will enter into force on the date on which the instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them in Pyrettania and Shinkyō .
ARTICLE VII
The Treaty shall create an annual Rokkenjima-Daitō Cultural Festival, celebrating the unique cultures of Rokkenjima and Daitō. The Pyrettania-Shinkyō Association will organize an annual festival to be held in each nation in turn annually.
The Treaty shall also also allow citizens of the other nation to apply for a fast track visa aiding in travel between the nations for purpose of trade, recreation and business.
ARTICLE VIII
To promote joint economic prosperity between Rokkenjima and Daitō the two parties shall agree to a staged elimination of tariffs imposed upon goods transported between the two nations, to be reduced respectively at a rate of 25% over the next four years.
Taxes upon corporations or other business entities originating from either nation shall be granted a reduced tax rate when constructing offices or operations in either nation, so long as construction contracts of manufacturing and production in such properties are granted to corporations or business entities in the two nations.
The Treaty shall seek to promote the establishment of a student exchange program, allowing Rokkenjiman and Daitōjin students more expansive and diverse educational opportunities at both the secondary and university levels.
ARTICLE IX
This Treaty shall remain in force until such a time either Party views it as no longer serving their best interests.
However, after the Treaty has been in force for ten years, either Party may give notice to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Treaty, in which case the Treaty shall terminate one year after such notice has been given.
IN WHITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
DONE at the City of Pyrettania, Azukishima Prefecture, Rokkenjima in the Rokkenjiman, Daitōjin, and English languages equally and authentic, this [date], 2023.
For Rokkenjima:
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Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook
Duchess of Josai
For Daitō:
"And this is where your experience meets my inexperience," she said with a chuckle. "I have the templates to work with, I have a rough idea of what is and what isn't possible right now, but I don't know the entirety of sentiments with your government and people, so I can only provide a framework we can work with and hope that I got it mostly right. I have a feeling there are many abroad who had hoped that we'd have fought each other to the fullest extent, to eliminate both Rokkenjima and Daitō from the world stage, yet somehow fate intervened and here we are sitting at the same table, talking and sharing words instead of sitting in our capitals watching as the casualties mount in unfortunate ways. This is our decision, and for the betterment of our people I'm glad to even have the chance to plant the seeds of peace and friendship. I might be eager on that friendship, maybe a bit too much so, but I'm sure you remember when you were my age practicalities didn't matter, it's all vision, hope, and a measure of faith that drives me right now and somewhere in you is that same spirit, just behind years of experience and voices that would call for ration and logic. We're not meeting on a level playing field and I recognize that, but it's all I've got to go by right now because we both know that alternative is tragic, horrible, and something we've both got to avoid at all costs."
"I've put all my cards on the table," she continued, "so it's all in your hands now. If I've made mistakes on things let me know and we'll fix them together? I'm not my mother or my aunts, if there's something you're not happy with let me know and we'll get to common ground somehow. I wish I didn't have to live with that part of the legacy, dictation and opposition instead of understanding and consensus, but it's what it is."