The Cynebury Herald

[Tretrid]

January 18, 2023

Æthelstansunu To Hold Summit With Federation PM Pierre

CYNEBURY—Prime Minister Eoforwine Æthelstansunu is currently set to hold talks with Côtois Federal Prime Minister Jeanne Pierre, in a summit that is likely to have implications for Northeast Novaris.

In a press release published shortly before Æthelstansunu departed Cynebury, he stated his intentions to “jointly assess the current security arrangements in Northeast Novaris, as well as evaluate the current state of Tretrid-Federation bilateral relations.” He acknowledged that “relations between [Tretrid and the Federation] have historically been cold,” but argued that “as Tretrid and the Federation of the Southern Coast of Lapérouse both have stakes in the continued stability of Northeast Novaris, it is imperative that the possibility for cooperation regarding regional security be explored.” Also in attendance will be Ymir and Kuoväinne leadership.

This was received with some surprise by outside observers, especially since relations between Tretrid and the Federation have historically chilly, especially due to Tretrid’s alliance with Tavaris and Tretrid’s outspoken condemnation of Côtois nuclear armament in early 2022.

When asked about the seeming about-face in foreign policy, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “Tretrid and the Federation are both interested in making Northeast Novaris more stable in the long term, though the Federation and we have sought to achieve this in different ways.”

This meeting could have wide-reaching implications for the region. Hustreache, which has significant economic connections to Tretrid, lodged a diplomatic complaint to the Tretridian government over the summit. Since Hustreache’s government has roots in Hirdism, both Ymirland and the Federation are hostile towards it, and the summit will likely put the relationship between Tretrid and Hustreache under international scrutiny.

Jarisven, which, due to Tretrid’s and the Federation’s mutual hostility, may stand to be hurt the most. Sources mention the Côtois-Norgsveltian military intervention into Jarisven in the 1990s and note that such a coalition might be formed between Tretrid and the Federation in case of Jarisvi aggression.

Conversely, Ymirland, which is both hosting and participating in the summit, may benefit significantly from potential closer ties to Tretrid, especially if the talks result in economic agreements with Tretrid or the creation of a foreign aid program aimed at encouraging further Ymir development.

Kuovälsna will also have a say in the results of the meeting as another one of its participants, though observers are unsure on whether they will have a major role in the conference other than weighing in on Jarisven and Hustreache, both of which Kuovälsna is hostile towards.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson cautioned against “excessive” speculation regarding the possible long-term effects of the summit. “The goal of the meeting is to see where the interests of all the participants align. It is far too early to talk about any hypothetical future ventures involving Northeast Novaris.”

[Tretrid]

December 20, 2023

Tretrid, Norgsveldet, Vistaraland, Axdel, Atlalandr, Kaldrbuþ, RCEU Embargo Mirhaime

CYNEBURY—In a joint statement from the governments of Tretrid, Vistaraland, Axdel, Atlalandr, Kaldrbuþ, the Norgsveltian Crown Realm, and the member countries of the Red Crown Economic Union, they announced that they would be instituting an embargo on trade with Mirhaime and its allies, due to allegations of neo-imperialism. Other countries affected by this embargo include Sayyed and Thalor.

This measure came as a result of criticisms of Mirhaimian interventionism after Askaraban and Crimpeteia invaded Sayyed in June. The main driving force behind the sanctions was Côtois Federal Prime Minister Jeanne Pierre, who, along with Prime Minister Æthelstansunu, had stated their intent to limit Mirhaimian influence as a result of their summit in Kyinster in January.

Observers have been caught by surprise by this statement for multiple reasons. It, along with the IF Security Council overwhelmingly voting to reject a proposed referendum that would see the cession of Crimpatein territory to Sayyed, marks a major swing in international opinion after the IF General Council and the Security Council both acted to condemn Crimpateia and Askaraban for the invasion.

Another source of surprise was the joint involvement of the Federation and Vistaraland in the sanctions. The Federation and Vistaraland have very poor relations, and the only time the two have cooperated in recent memory was in the UCA intervention into the Helslandr Civil War in 2022. Furthermore, Vistaraland generally opposes imposing barriers on its trade, as exemplified by Vistari opposition to the expulsion of Blåskog from the NCEF.

The effect these measures are expected to have on the Mirhaimian economy are significant, due to Tretrid being Mirhaime’s most important trade partner due to their proximity and the size of the Tretridian economy. However, this also means that it might have a negative effect on the Tretridian economy. Indeed, after the announcement was made, stocks in Tretrid tumbled due to general uncertainty.

In a press conference, Prime Minister Æthelstansunu brushed off worries about the economy, noting that Mirhaime was far from Tretrid’s most important trading partner and that “fears of a repeat of the recession of the 2000s are overblown,” referring to the period of economic troubles that resulted from the Volscine Civil War. He also argued that it was “far more important” for Tretrid to “stand in solidarity with its allies and strategic partners” while “sending an unequivocal message to Ms. Cáiréas that her neo-colonial ambitions will not go unopposed.”

ICM and PO4 Chemical have released statements objecting to the resolution and arguing that it would be counterproductive, but have stated their intent to comply with the embargo by divesting in Mirhaime, Thalor, and Sayyed.

[Tretrid]

December 22, 2023

Colasunu Lambasts Sanctions as Affected Countries Vow Cooperation

CYNEBURY—Leader of the Opposition Eahlstan Colasunu decried the recent announcements of sanctions against Mirhaime and associated countries in a speech in the Witenagemot Friday morning as the targeted countries vowed to support each other.

Mr. Colasunu, the leader of the Ulvriktru Democratic Party of Tretrid (ÞUD), made the speech on the last day the Witenagemot was scheduled to be in session before its adjournment for Yule.

“Why, Mr. Speaker, must the Tretridian people pay for the Prime Minister’s diplomatic games with the livelihoods?” Colasunu said. “Why must we damage our own economy just to play along with Mrs. Pierre’s stunts?” he said, referring to Côtois Federal Prime Minister Jeanne Pierre, one of the main impetus behind the joint sanctions.

Prime Minister Eoforwine Æthelstansunu remained firm in his position. “I would suggest that Mr. Colasunu cares more about material wealth than about the maintenance of international norms, Mr. Speaker, but I know him well enough that such a thing should be beneath him and am simply at a loss at why he would oppose these sanctions in such terms as he has.”

“The maintenance of a stable international environment is what enables global trade and commerce, as we all learned twenty years ago,” Æthelstansunu added, referring to the recession that accompanied the Volscine Civil War. “Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the joint sanctions are more than just a Côtois initiative. It is shared by our friends in the NCEF and the Tavari Union, though I suspect Mr. Colasunu did not mention them out of political convenience.”

Æthelstansunu referred to the announcement that the North Concordian Economic Federation voted near-unanimously to join on the sanctions.

Colasunu’s criticism comes amidst the news that the targeted countries, Mirhaime, Sayyed, Thalor, and Afragola, have vowed mutual assistance in the face of the sanctions in an emergency summit. The news has amplified criticism of the sanctions, arguing that they would be ineffective and potentially counterproductive. Political backlash to the sanctions has manifested in the form of protests in Cynebury, Sweoraport, and Sigested.