To:- Her Imperial Majesty Empress Beatrice
The response to my concern highlight the issues with Ardia at present.
My initial communication highlights simply facts and apportioned no blame. I understand fully the desire that if the left hand sees the right doing something it is likely to copy it however both the concept of WAF and ASEAN do by their very existence split Ardia into sub-continents. I also fully understand the cultural aspects of East Ardia are different to those of West Ardia, our own culture is different to those of the rest of our portion on the horn. While it is good to celebrate shared cultural ideas it is even better to share them with others and thus bring about understanding of each others nations. By the Ardian Assembly including articles on making travel easier and educational exchanges we secure this.
I would further note that during the talks which took place here none of the issues the Empress highlights as having "resistance" to even were placed before those attending. You yourself stated publically as you signed the charter ""Let us not understate the accomplishment this development represents, nor the opportunities for Ardia which open before us." Yet the only topics during discussions that saw resistance were unrestricted extraditions and the creation of an Ardian Paramilitary. Your voice on matters of creation of a free trade zone was never raised and as such the agreement that no Ardian nation will charge a neighbour higher tariffs than a non-Ardian nation represents an agreement you willingly added your name to. This is the first step towards one day possibly creating a whole Ardian Free Trade Zone and this is something that once Ardia shows it is capable of working together I would support, however at present I feel that day is a long way off. At no point during the talks did you suggest anything to do with Space beyond your initial remarks, I on the other hand suggested reasons why at present such a step was unfeasible, you had every opportunity to debate this and convince those present otherwise however you remained silent on the matter giving the impression this article was of little importance to you. Furthermore you have since had the opportunity to attend the Assembly either in person or through your representative and propose initiatives and yet so far the Assembly has remained empty on that behalf. As for a Regional Development Funds this was mentioned in your opening pre-amble however when asked if there were any other issues for inclusion on the charter you again did not present any option. As with your desire for space co-operation the Assembly floor remains open to yourself at any point and I would be more than happy to see and consider any proposals you have.
As for showing respect to other nations of Ardia my initial open address to potential ASEAN members proportioned no blame, ridiculed no-ones actions and encouraged all of Ardia to work together, I therefore fail to see how this is a lack of respect. It is you who show disrespect repeatedly to Ardia by on one hand making no proactive steps to seek unity while on the other criticising those who do. One must only look at Rokkenjima attempting to exclude Ui Cenneslaig from original talks on the Cross-Ardian Railroad, what other sense does it make to leave one of Mundus largest nations out of such an agreement? One can only think of the insane rivalry that has developed between the two nations.
I believe if continental unity is to actually work one organisation is all that is needed and desired. While I see little issue with nations of East Ardia banding together to share culturally their similarities this is too something I would like to see done through the Ardian Assembly, by for example there being a East Ardian Festival of Culture it would utilise the travel articles of the Ardian Assembly, boost the local economy of the host and encourage non-East Ardians to learn about and appreciate your culture. Meanwhile such actions undertaken only by East Ardian nations would serve as merely an echo-chamber leaving the rest of Ardia less aware and less appreciative of your culture. Take another example, Space Co-Operation. Should this exist in ASEAN it essentially means nations co-operating with Rokkenjima. As space projects are years in the planning it will be best part of a decade before such co-operation sees nations such as say Quintelia able to lead on them. Meanwhile, as we have already seen in recent Quintelian press, such opportunities do already exist as a West Ardian nation has helped an East Ardian nation place satellites and probes into space, all without the creation of specific initiatives under ASEAN or even the Ardian Assembly.
My final point on this is as follows. Ardia is one of the two least co-operative continents on Mundus, the other being Aranye. If you look at other regional organisations that do work, such as the Treaty of Unity for Nations of the Alucard (TUNA) this organisation has existed for less time that the Ardian Assembly and has already achieved harmony the likes of wish the Ardian Assembly, WAF or ASEAN can only dream of. In the short time we have come together we have formed a multi-national media group which has won the rights to host a major international sporting event. Additionally we have currently begun work on what will, if successfully agreed, be the worlds greatest ever environmental initiative for the oceans. Furthermore we have worked as an organisation to provide assistance against piracy and smuggling to less developed nations such as Cabbagelandiet. All this has been achieved when effectively, because of the make up of Bakkermaya and Paracambi, dealing with many more nations than the Ardian Assembly currently has or WAF or ASEAN could have. This has been achieved because each member is willing to present its ideas and have frank discussions on them. The Ardian Assembly drafting gave you that chance and you for some reason lacked the conviction to fight for your point of view or failed to present it at all. Much like your criticism of the MCUR you may only claim to have not had your way if you contribute and to date you have failed to do that regarding Ardian unity.
I look forward to seeing your appearance in Bakkermaya to address the Assembly, the door is always open and ready to receive any Ardian Head of State or their representative. There we can discuss these proposals that you failed to put forward initially and thus give you the opportunity to create the regional organisation you lament doesn't exist.