Lusatian-Rombardan Diplomacy

[VoxApocrypha]

"We're almost done, yes." He'd reply. "..There's Auran's most recently completed skyscraper. Traxus Tower." He'd say as he pointed to it out the window.

The building was designed with the clear inspiration and structural design philosophies of both Rombarda and more modernized structural design put into practice, the building given carved pillars of stone as well as supported by steel beams from behind that.

They would then turn forwards, and before long trees begin to block out the view, as more and more become visible as they follow a road into the mountain, then into a tunnel, emerging on the other side and already beginning to go down said mountain towards what looked like a fortified castle of sorts. Before long, they had arrived in front of the 'Keep', and he would have his door opened for him by two guards outside, and the two ambassadors would follow him out.

"This is city hall. It sits below this side's Acropolis, further up the mountain where it rests on a Plateau." He would say. "We'll be having the meeting here." They would tell them, as they would gesture for him to follow, with the other would follow behind, speaking to a guard quietly before catching back up to them.

[alxeu]

Artyom quietly admitted to himself a sense of awe with the towering building, impressed by the architectural thought put into it.

When they arrived at the city hall, Artyom further took another moment to appreciate the castle they had arrived at, and soon began to follow the Rombardans as they led him inside.

[VoxApocrypha]

They would guide him inside, where they'd be met by a pair off guards and several of the staff, of whom would guide them through the structure. Sculptures and statues rest at the sides of the hallways and corners are marked by pillars, while paintings hang between banners, depicting men and women of various races - some not even native to Rombarda - who have had some sort of great historical impact on the nation, ranging from artists to generals. Before long they are led deeper inside, and soon to a smaller set of doors, and into a more confined space with less decor. At the end of this journey they arrive in a room with no windows, a circular table with seats for up to five, a set of cabinets with drinks and office supplies, and as well banners - of which at their side of the room would be the Lusatian flag, while on the opposite wall there is two Rombardan banners.

"Do take a seat. Is there anything we can get you?" The kithium woman asks him.

[alxeu]

"Some tea, please, no sugar, but with some honey, if available," Artyom responded, thanking the woman for the refreshment, then politely waiting for whomever he was to be meeting with.

[VoxApocrypha]

Eventually a man would make their way in, this one a Festria, wearing a grey business suit. He would make his way around the table over to them, and then hold out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Artyom." He'd say, expression stoic and deadpan.

[alxeu]

Artyom accepted the handshake, replying, "And a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr...?"

[VoxApocrypha]

He'd shake back, grip firm but not too firm. "Tanus. Likewise, Artyom." He would say, squeezing their hand lightly before he let go of it and would go to sit himself down.
He'd cup his hands together and lean back into the seat, locking eyes with them as he spoke. "When your government asked about better relations we were somewhat perplexed. We would as well like to know what you have in mind for such."

[alxeu]

Artyom shrugged, "It's a large, dangerous world. Lack of communication tends to be a dangerous thing in diplomacy, and after the chaos of the Fifth Staol War, the last thing Lusatia needs is new enemies created by misunderstandings and lack of communication."

"On a more practical note, our nations are the only external powers in Arema, so though our nations lack a physical border on the continent, we are most certainly neighbors, and it behooves us to act as good neighbors and visit and talk from time to time, no?"

[VoxApocrypha]

"Such is fair, yes." He would say as he crossed his legs beneath the table and would move his chair back a bit, leaning into the seat and settling his hands onto his leg, cupping them together. "That provides the reason but I want to know what you're here for, besides opening dialogues again. We had considered doing it before now but other matters have kept us firmly rooted in our own affairs. Especially as of late." He would say. "Is there something in particular that Lusatia is looking for with Rombarda, or from it?"

[alxeu]

"Asides from general diplomatic niceties and embassy establishments? Perhaps an agreement that'll save us both a headache in the future: naval disarmament in Arema."

"Simply put, given the region is really only controlled by our nations, capital ships in the region can only been seen as aggression by one nation against the other. Therefore, Lusatia proposes that our nations agree to disarm our Areman colonies of all capital ships, those being traditional capital ships and aircraft carriers. While we would also prefer to extend the ban to cruisers, we also recognize the need for some coastal defense force to police the seas and protect against potential incursions from opportunists."

"If the situation ever does require the deployment of capital ships from one of our nations, the agreement can be voided as long as advanced warning is exchanged between our nations."

[VoxApocrypha]

The Rombardan ambassador stares at him for a moment, though after a few seconds his eyes drift to the right as he seems to start to think, bringing one of his hands to his muzzle as he thought to himself. His eyes were fixated on the wall for a fair few seconds, before he would look at them again.

"..Naval Disarmament in Arema.." He said quietly to himself. "..That's.. quite the exchange." He'd say. "Given that many of those parts built in Arema were built specifically to house our navy." He would look at them directly again, his eyes locking with theirs.

"My government is unlikely to agree to such a proposal beyond Rombarda's Areman holdings. We use our cruiser fleet in that area to deter piracy and as well to patrol our boundary, and they are stationed there explicity because they are as well bases from which we guard our trade lanes and as well lend aid in guarding international trade. Arema is a major naval and economic hub for us." He would tell them. "That's quite a lot to ask when you've not made many diplomatic overtures in the past." He'd pull his chair in a bit, and lean forwards, hands resting on the table now.

"I think that they might be willing to agree to a compromise but total disarmament is quite a lot, and very much so difficult to realistically achieve without there being a very much stronger basis for it. I'm sure as well that we can potentially come to an agreement that lets both of us station our capital ships in the region without potentially provoking any sort of incident or worry in the other. For instance, a PIAT comes to mind."

[alxeu]

"When we say total disarmament, we mean the removal of capital ships, alone. Cruisers, destroyers, and submarines would still be allowed in Areman waters, of course."

Artyom sighed, "But if it is as you said and the ports there are essential for your naval plans, then Lusatia will concede pushing for this point. A cap on the amount of capital ships in the area at one time, barring extraordinary circumstances, could be an acceptable compromise, perhaps? Such a treaty would be difficult to enforce, but as long as both sides attempt to follow it and show goodwill, then it wouldn't be a complete waste of time."

"As for negotiations regarding various other topics, a non-aggression pact would certainly be more than what Lusatia was expecting from this negotiation, considering, as you said, our nations rarely communicate diplomatically, and the other provisions are largely acceptable to Lusatia with a few points of clarification and concern."

"The first is that Lusatia is hesitant to share national intelligence to other nations unless the said nation is a historical ally of our nation, though in areas where both our nations' security are concerned, Lusatia would be glad to cooperate with Rombarda. The second is that clarification is needed on what you desire regarding the 'Aid' part of the treaty.'

"A final concern is what such a treaty would mean in regards to Lusatia and the alliance you are a part of, the Commonwealth of Granuras. Would this treaty be one between Lusatia and Rombarda, or Lusatia and the CoG? While Rombarda as a trade partner is a favorable outcome to our negotiations, public opinion of Ashigawa is a lot more mixed, even following the recent attempts at international reconciliation."

[VoxApocrypha]

"Rombarda has little interest in engaging in violence with Lusatian. Our Interests in Arema are not as much competition now as they were a century ago, and to be frank we have nothing to gain from attacking you. We are largely focused on developing the region further, especially after the seizure of the Kaba islands from the defunct Eonian government. As it stands, we have more interest in expanding trade ties in Arema and a Non-Aggression Pact would be a far better prospect for that, especially since it can serve as a solid base for future relations. As well the lack of communication can be remedied by an exchange of embassies between Lusatia and Rombarda."

"I think that my government will be willing to agree to placing a limit on the number of Capital ships active in the region at a given time, and if it exceeds that number they would surely inform you of that and the reason why so that no undue tensions arise." He would clasp his hands together and lean forwards. I think they might agree to a limit of about ten at the most active in the region at a given time, save circumstances like desperate repairs, transitting, so on."

"Information sharing would largely be in regards to the national security of either of our states, particularly if it concerns either of our Areman holdings. Aid, in this case would be both aiding naval vessels of either state in the event one suffers an accident, unfortunate circumstances, so on. This would not extend to Ashigawa nor the rest of the COG."

"In regards to the COG question, it would be Rombarda alone."