(Written with Cowlass)
28th February, 2023
Mærhalen International Airport, Tangrland
Sigrid waited in anticipation for the first high end diplomatic visit to her recently declared independent nation. With her negotiations with AWC and the NFC hitting an impasse, with the two corporations being stubborn over their past contracts, she was forced to start turning towards a different direction. While she has told her finance minister to hold off on the nationalization plan, she has told her and other ministers to prepare for that possibility. Before doing anything radical it is best to weigh in the options, especially that any such plans could easily annoy Vistaraland and South Hills. As such, this diplomatic visit might prove fruitful if she plays her cards correctly. When the private jet landed on the airport the Minister-President could not help but notice it was a few minutes earlier then what was anticipated. Her personal guards kept the press at bay while she waited, being dressed in her dark green robes with a golden tree symbol on the chest area. Typical clothing for the Tangrian clergy.
As the plane landed and reached a screeching halt. Few more moments add to the tension, the stairway car pulls onto the pavement, linking up to the plane’s airlock. The white door with a red stripe swings opened. Several suit wearing figures step outside first, checking the area before going down the steps. Hands resting on their rifles, after being confident that the area was secured. The main agent reached into their inner jacket’s pocket, pulling out a radio and giving the order. “Le ciel est dégagé, le cygne est prêt.”
As the agent spoke, a white-haired human woman stepped out of the airlock, descending the stairs. Wearing a black suit, white undershirt and a red tie. A small pin on her jacket’s collar but it’s too far out to see it properly. She fixes her tie, approaching Sigrid with an angry expression on her face.
“Miss Pierre, I hope your trip went well.” Sigrid said with a warm smile as she bowed her head in respect. Her blonde hair has been braided up, with a bit of traditional paint being placed near her eyes. To symbolize the clergy’s connection to Tangrland’s nature.
She bowed her head in response, then reached out her hand to shake the elf. “The trip was long, however I believe it will prove to be beneficial to both our nations.” The heat from the jungles hit Pierre like a train, though at least. She wore a suit made for these kinds of climates being far more lightweight but the heat will always sink in through the layers.
“So do I, your nation is a major point of inspiration for me and my party.” Sigrid gestured to the Federal Prime Minister to follow her and her guards as they walked towards the airport. Several journalists took pictures of the two and some yelling questions as the guard held them away.
“Is Tangrland going to join the RCEU?!”
“Miss Sigrid! Are you planning on taking this country towards a socialist direction?!”
“Miss Pierre! What are your interests with Tangrland?!”
“Madam Pierre! Why are you wearing a suit in 35’c weather!” A small tiefling child shouted out towards the pair. Wearing an old-fashioned news reporter cap with his school’s logo on the side.
Sigrid just let out a small sigh as she shook her head. “Any questions can be given to us at the press conference after the meeting.” She said simply as the guards made way for the two ladies to pass the press without too much issue.
Pierre wanted to give a smile but when she turned her head to look at the child, her unfortunate condition made her look like she was giving the kid a dirty look. She gave a sigh, looking back forward, giving her attention back to Sigrid.
“My apologies, Pierre. The press has been quite livid since my nation’s independence, I am getting worried they about to start asking me what shampoo I used this morning so they can make a political analysis about it.” Sigrid joked as the two got to a secluded part of the airport with no one to bother them as they talked.
“Ah, I suffer from similar issues with the press. They keep asking when and where the next invasion.” Pierre joked, but spirits know it does not sound like a joke with her moderately always angry sounding voice.
“Well with the impressive track record your nation’s military has, I am certain any invasion it does ends too fast for the press to report on.” Sigrid said in a small chuckle. Hoping that the Prime Minister was joking. As the two got out of the other end of the airport, the two saw a black limousine was prepared for them. With one of Sigrid’s guards holding the door up for them. The Minister-President gestured to Pierre to enter first.
“In our defense, we thought they would have lasted longer. I had to re-do my speech.” It was no longer clear if she was joking or not. The human woman stepped into the limousine, taking the far seat so the Minister-President could join her in the car.
Sigrid sat down next to the angry looking prime minister, placing her hands on her lap. “It is a genuine pleasure to have you here, my party has long thought about establishing ties to the Federation.”
Pierre rested her arms by crossing them. “Oui, the Federation has wanted to establish a relationship with Tangrland for decades. May our meeting prove to be fruitful and achieve both our nation’s aims.”
“Quite so, especially since my party is looking towards an alternative from Vistari and Concordian companies.” Sigrid said trying to be as friendly as possible as the limousine drove to two to the meeting they will be having.
“There is an old Federation saying, it’s better to sew a shirt by hand than to trust a smiling Vistari offering a machine.” Pierre looks towards the window then back at Sigrid, “If you require assistance in removing their venom from your economy, my government is more than pleased to assist.”
“I am pleased to hear it.” The Minister-President said with an actual genuine smile.
The two were escorted into an empty room, with a large wooden table of mahogany origin in the middle of it. The walls were decorated with paintings of dozens of different eras of Tangrian history, most symbolizing the series of conflicts that Tangrland waged during the 1700s to unify all of what is now Tangrland.
Sigrid sat down at one end of the table pouring two glasses of water, giving one towards Pierre still having her friendly smile. “I think I said it once already but it is an honor having you here.” She took a sip of her glass before continuing on. “I hope together we can ensure a more prosperous, fair and equal North Gondwana.”
Pierre sat down on the other end, resting her elbows on the table. “It is a pleasure and an honor to be here in a free Tangrland. I assure you, the Federation will do what it can to ensure the liberty and prosperous future for North Gondwana and beyond.” The prime minister took a sip of her water.
“That is certainly wonderful to hear.” Sigrid said as she put down her glass and took out some documents given to her by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “As I already told you when you landed, me and my party have taken inspiration from your nation. The Federal model, while not perfect to what we had in mind, is a model we will use as a cornerstone for our new system.”
“There is nothing wrong with adapting policies from successful countries to fit your people’s needs. However, to be blunt if you accuse me of rudeness. I don’t believe you requested a state visit to praise the Federation to me directly.” Pierre kept the usual moderately angry tone she was known for, though tried to make it clear beforehand she is not actually upset at her.
Sigrid just nodded her head at that. “Indeed it’s not, but it is something I mention for a reason.” Her voice has turned far more serious compared to her calm friendly attitude from earlier. “My government needs advisers to help during these major reforms in the system. As such I hope we could be provided with some support in said areas.”
Pierre gave a nod, “Then it is so, we can have our experts arrive at your leisure. Just provide a list of the areas you need assistance in and I will have my government provide them.” She paused for a moment, thinking for a second before speaking in her fiery tone, “How radical are we talking in terms of changes?”
“Quite radical ones I’m afraid.” Sigrid said with a small chuckle. “The main focus is bureaucratic ones however. While my government has some changes in the economic field in mind, it is not our focus. My main desire is to Federalize and democratize Tangrland. Which is why we want to use your nation as a cornerstone while ensuring that the rest of the structure is inherently Tangrian in design.”
She gave an understanding look, writing a few notes down on a piece of paper before folding it up and placing it back into her pocket. “I understand more clearly now, do you aim to socialize your economy as well at some point?”
The Minister-President thought for a moment, as she pondered her options. “That will be dependent on the A.W.C and the J.F.C. My government has no plans on nationalizing said corporations overnight, especially when negotiations are possible.” Small frown formed on her lips. “They haven’t exactly been too forthcoming. Overall focus will be continuing to develop the economy and move it away from exploitation of foreign companies. Though without making rapid changes in the current economic structure.”
“In that case, I can suggest some of the Federation international cooperatives to establish operations here. All it takes is people seeing the right way of doing things and reaping the benefits from them to get the ball rolling. I can suggest some of the cooperative investment firms to bankroll startups here as well.” Pierre sipped her water, “Are the two parties going to hinder your party’s process with bureaucratic reform?”
“I will certainly not deny any investments.” Sigrid said with a small smile on her face before taking a sip from her glass. “The Military Party and the National Liberals are unlikely to be strong enough to challenge my party. Though even if they were, we have allies in the Nyveldian People’s Party. The fact that the Nationalists and Militarists are trying to be a part of the democratic process helps legitimize these reforms to the people.”
“Then it is so, I will make the necessary suggestions.” She tried to give a smile back but yet, your unfortunate facial features made it look just like she scowled more. “When it comes to the other parties at play, no problem as a one-size fits all solution but if you wish, I can have some… Politically inclined experts as part of the bureaucracy experts delegation.”
Sigrid raised an eyebrow at that. “I think for the moment it is too early for that, I am confident of my party’s ability to win the legislative election in April.” She shook her head in amusement before continuing. “…And with the legislative reforms we have in mind, we are having far greater political advantage over those two parties.”
Pierre gave an understanding nod, “I understand.” She leaned back in her chair staring angrily at the elf in front of her. “When it comes to defense, do you require reforms to that as well? Even if it is not required, the Federation can open its doors to its officers and specialized training centers for Tangerland.”
The elf just chuckled at that. “Oh militarily I think we will be quite alright, though I’d be in favor of military exercises and training between our two nations.” Sigrid went through some documents before she continued. “Though there is one topic I want to discuss.” She takes out one of the documents and pushes it towards Pierre. The document shows a map of the de facto borders of Salisar, especially highlighting the most Eastern territories of East Salisar that was hugging the border with Tangrland. It is marked as the Collective Republic of Awawelat. “I am not certain how well informed you are about the civil war in Salisar, but with the establishment of a pro-Vistari government in Astrazarode it has been in continued turmoil. My nation has spent years sponsoring the separatists in Awawelat, and I’m planning on ensuring that independence.” She gave a warm smile to Pierre as she took a sip from her glass. “My hope is that in the press conference later, we both announce our recognition of Awawelat.”
Pierre looked with a joyful glee in her eyes if you overlook the sheer anger on her face. “You don’t need to hope, it is done. I have my government push for recognition for it in the RCEU, and well, I believe you are familiar with the Federation foreign policy on anti-imperialism. If the freedom fighters need it, they will have it.” She barely looked over the map in all honesty, she only needed to know a Vistari puppet was involved and she would have committed. “You didn’t need to say more, you know. All you need to say is support the independence of the natives.” She gives a sly tone of voice, figuring Sigrid could catch her drift.
“Absolutely wonderful then!” The elf said, clapping her hands together and stood up from her chair. “I think that we need some wine to celebrate this.” She walked towards one of the cupboards in the room pulling out a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Pouring into the two glasses, giving one of the glasses to Pierre a smirk on her face. “For the freedom of Awawelat.”
She accepted the wine glass, raising it up to toast. “To the worker and crown, to the destruction of imperialist holdouts and their swine.” She was only culturally Akuanist and was always paranoid about being captured on camera when drinking. Less the media accuse her of breaking secularism laws and get dragged through the mud for it.
“May my people become free.” Sigrid said as the two clinked their glasses and took a sip of their wine.