Gulf of Auraxis Arrangement

[Wadden]

Out of the four nations it was Waddan that likely had the least to gain in the short term from this arrangement but it did do a number of things that the Sultan hoped would allow his nation to begin taking advantage of the new friendships it would cement.

"I am satisfied with what we have."

[Kodima]

Section 1 - The Economy

The Nations of the Gulf of Auraxis recognise that streamlined trade between them can lead to greater prosperity for all nations. In addition that region wide investment can bring the living standards of all to become higher. With this in mind the nations of the region have agreed to the following arrangements.

i) Nations agree that any business who has its headquarters in another Gulf nation may take advantage of the terms outlined here.

ii) Any materials may cross freely from one nation to another with no tariffs so long as the materials do not leave the Gulf region. Materials are defined as unprocessed naturally occurring item.

iii) Any products may cross freely from one nation to another with no tariffs so long as its whole process was undertaken within the Gulf. For no tariffs to be charged the product must remain within the Gulf. A Product is defined as any item that has seen materials changed from their natural state.

iv) Any service provider may offer its services within the Gulf region so long as they pay taxes on profits accrued in that nation to the local government. Furthermore all service providers must ensure that all services being offered comply with local regulations.

v) Once a material or product has entered into the Gulf region and a tariff has been paid no further fees or tariffs for crossing a border shall be liable so long as the item remains in the same condition it entered the first Gulf nation. Should one Gulf nation have a "no tarrif" arrangement with the exporting nation then tariffs shall be liable at the first Gulf border it crosses after entry.

vi) A nation may set limits on items covered in ii and iii so long as it is declared on the 1st of April. Any nation setting such limits will automatically have tariffs placed upon their own exports of such materials.

vii) Any product or material crossing a border must comply with the laws of the nation it is travelling through even if these are different to those of the final destination.

viii) Any product or material leaving the Gulf region by a 3rd nation is liable to tariffs at a rate set by the nation from which the export takes place.

ix) A business may transport items for promotion and marketing without having to pay taxes on them for crossing the border. This is regardless of where their final destination is.

x) Staff required for promotional and marketing purposes may cross the border freely so long as their event is confirmed 7 days ahead of schedule and that they spend no longer than 14 days within the nation. While in that nation they must comply with all employment law.

xi) Materials or Products destined for the Blue projects will be granted entry to the Gulf tariff free. Should they then leave the Blue project they will be charged Tariffs at the rate set by the country in which they entered the region.

xii) All Gulf ports agree to the docking of the KHELPS project without fees or taxes unless paid also by local vessels.

xiii) No nation shall knowingly take action designed to harm the economy of another Gulf nation.

xiv) Should the Gulf members all agree then a nation may be recognised as an "Associate Gulf State" which will see them granted recognition as a preferred trading partner and thus receive reduced tariffs on a reciprocal arrangement

Section 2 - Cultural Co-Operation

The Nations of the Gulf of Auraxis recognise that they are each uniquely positioned to offer their citizens strong cultural enrichment opportunities. With this in mind the nations of the Region have agreed to the following.

i) Nations will permit anyone travelling for non-business reasons to enter their nation for a maximum of 21 days without the need for a visa. An individual on entry must prove they have a return ticket, have accommodation for their stay and sufficient funds.

ii) A citizen of any nation may apply for places at educational institutes at any Gulf nation so long as they can fund their study and have reached a minimum educational standard set by the institute.

iii) Individuals working as performers, athletes, musicians or artists shall be permitted to engage in their work in any Gulf Nation so long as they have a contract with a local company or organisation. They may only be stopped from working in other nations if they are deemed a threat to national security or public order.

iv) Sports teams travelling to other Gulf Nations may do so without the needs for visas so long as they are to take part in games sanctioned by international governing bodies.

v) A month prior to the Mundus Games there shall be the Gulf Games. This shall be hosted in a different nation each year on rotation. Should a nation wish to skip their opportunity to host they shall be under no obligation to do so.   

Section 3 - Security
The Nations of the Gulf of Auraxis recognise that the spectre of war and threats to security will prevent the citizens of the Gulf from being able to enjoy the prosperity and opportunities this document creates. With this in mind the Nations of the Gulf of Auraxis have agreed to the following:

i) Nations pledge that they will do all that is reasonable within their power to avoid war.

ii) Should a dispute arise between two nations who have signed this document the other nations shall do all that is possible to mediate between them to avoid war.

iii) Nations discovering a threat against another Gulf Nation agree to share that information so long as doing so does not endanger their own national security.

iv) Nations agree to maintain where possible a military element able to respond to humanitarian and military crisis that may occur in the region.

v)Nations agree to maintain active anti-piracy and search and rescue patrols within their region and should they be unable to maintain this will seek support of the other nations to ensure maritime safety and security is maintained

vi) Prior to conducting military exercises in the region nations agree to give other nations at least 48 hours notice.

With the final agreement coming from the Sultan it seemed everything was in order. The Emperor found himself giving a small clap as he stood up. "Gentleman I'm excited that we've reached an agreement, even more excited that we've been able to do so in such a friendly manner. I think this is the beginning of great things for our peoples and our region." He called in one of his staff and handed him the information that they had agreed upon. "It'll take them some time to get the official documents arranged." The Emperor informed his guests and in the mean time the four men made their way to a private terrace to enjoy the fine weather, drinks and small talk while they waited for the documents to be finished.

In a highly efficent manner the civil service had written the documents up, checked them and translated them into each official language before having them presented in neat booklets. A fifth copy had been made in each of the nations languages and this would be stored safely as the "original" in the Imperial Archives. A small gathering of press had been herded into the conference room of the hotel that had been hastily turned into a press conference centre.

Emperor Malachi waited for everyone to be assembled before standing to address the room. "The Gulf of Araxis stands with the potential to be one of the most economically prosperous regions of Mundus. With a wealth of oil, gas, natural minerals and great ingenuity we have the ability to shape a future that will allow our citizens to become some of the happiest and successful in the world. What has held the region back has been a lack of co-operation like those seen in other parts of Mundus. With today's historic agreement I firmly believe each of us will go from strength to strength in the coming years. I look forward to working with the Sultan of Waddan, King of Royal Seleucid and Emir of Rayyu further as we move this arrangement forward." He picked up the pen and made his way down the line signing each of the documents in turn before taking a seat at the end.

[Rayyu]

Emir Sulaiman Samar El-Amin was the youngest of those here but was keen to have his voice heard around the world. "Thank you Emperor Malachi for this invite. I have always prayed to Allah that he gives me the ability to give my people better lives and it seems with the agreement we have made here today we have been granted the wisdom to recognise friendship in our sea makes us stronger. I know we have many differences between us but today we show Mundus that differences of faith, race, culture and heritage are nothing to stand in the way of co-operation. I thank my new found friends for their time and In sha'Allah this will be the first of many meetings between us as neighbours and friends."

The Emir took the pen from the Emperor with a warm handshake and went down the line neatly and carefully putting his signature on each document being careful to ensure as he did each he looked at the assembled cameras and smiled.

[DaveIronside]

Heydar could leave here today feeling like Royal Seleucid was on something of a diplomatic role. First they'd just recently seen the beginning of the end of the Celtic Protectorate, some three years ahead of schedule and now he was signing something that would, if it worked, help the nation get more investment while also helping some key industries that were diversifying in his homeland.

Heydar stood and extended a hand to the Emir as they exchanged the pen. "Ladies and Gentleman today is historic. Across the world regions have their own bodies, the Illumic Council, the Council of Albion and the like. Aranye meanwhile has seen very few if any of these bodies. While today falls short of creating a standing organisation that is because we are Midaranye, we are different to others. We value our ability to work as individuals while also helping our friends and neighbours. The four of us today stand on the dawn of a new period of co-operation for our people yet we have not tied them to a way forward that devalues their own history, culture or beliefs. I am excited about what tomorrow holds and can't wait to watch my son take advantage of what we have sewn." Heydar signed his name on each and then offered the pen to the Sultan with a smile.

[Wadden]

The Sultan was the last to sign the agreement and did so rather nervously. He looked down at the text and saw three examples of fine penmanship, he smiled as he affixed his messy scrawl that would in years to come be barely recognisable as his, such was the misfortune of a Waddanite education. He believed that perhaps his sons, but certainly his grand-sons would not face the same problems. He held up the document after signing it to show the media. "This shows the importance of this document for my nation. We see three fine examples of calligraphy and then the penmanship of a man who grew up riding horses rather than the fine education these gentleman enjoyed. This though shows the beauty of this arrangement. Today a desert wandering nation have signed an agreement based on an ocean and we have done so in the certainty that our lives will get better. Waddan has perhaps for the first time looked outward with optimism and not kept our gaze inwards. When our grand-sons sign the future treaties that will come between our people I know that their signature will be as beautiful as those of these three fine men here today and looking down I will know this arrangement will have been one of the reasons. I thank the Emperor for allowing me to visit his lands and hope he will not be a stranger to our own." The Sultan put the document down and signed the others before shaking hands with each.