California UD Summit
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California UD Summit
John Peter Key was ready for the arrival of their Californian guests. California was an important nation in trade and tourism. The nation being a neighbour had always been a favourite of the Duchian people for visiting. He waited on the arrival of the Californian delegation into Cair Para. -
Chancellor Albanese liked to travel with a small entourage. He, despite being next door, had never been to the United Duchies. The plane coasted smoothly in the landing at the airport.
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
John Peter Key welcomed the Californian delegation warmly . They were quickly whisked by the electric motorcade to Cair Paravel to meet the High Duke Nikolai for a lunch. They wouldn't discuss politics there but just chat to ease things in. Nikolai III said "Welcome to the Duchies , I hope you have a productive meeting later. Just call me Nikolai while chatting here. I like to keep things informal , no need for big formalities just because of who I am , I am quite an informal guy personally." The lunch was a Steak dinner with fine mash and orange jus followed by Super French Fancy made by the chef. complimented by the finest Westseaxnan wine.
Nikolai asked "So hows life , what do you get up to in California when you are off work?"
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"Well, Californians in general like being outdoors and going to the beach. They also love sport, recreationally and professionally. Also, thank you for inviting me," Albo said.
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
Nikolai responded saying " Its my pleasure we like to welcome people here in the Duchies .I can imagine , you do have alot of beautiful areas and a lovely climate like most nations in our part of the world. " The lunch went down quick as the delegation ate and the super french fancy went down well , the wine also seemed to go down well. Nikolai presented a bottle of wine to each of the delegates off the High Ducal estates.
John Peter Key then led them to a meeting room away from Nikolai with all the tea and biscuits you could ask for for the seperate political meeting. He opened up the meeting saying "Now we've had a good lunch and wine I look forward to our business here. Simply put we invited you here because we believe the Californian relationship is important given our location but also the connection of our people. We believe at the moment this is not reflected in the official policies between us. We'd like to start on trade and visa free travel and freedom of travel. The first thing I'd like to propose is zero tariffs on goods and free movement of them as long as hey meet national regulations and the right of any business to operate in each others countries subject to local law with equal protection under law so basically no additional regulations.
WE'd also like to ask your thoughts on being part of a potential joint free travel zone with Spain,Inquista, Hellas ourselves and possibly North Diessan and Innimicus to remove internal borders while having strong external border checks including at all ports of entry. If enough are interested we believe its a good idea to free citizens from border checks internally . Otherwise we'd like to have a visa free period for travel for each others citizens for up 90 Days for tourist visas. What do you think and is there anything you'd like to add?"
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AA: Of course we would welcome a free trade agreement. We'd want as many people to benefit. And free movement sounds great. Our nations could be part of a significant tourism block. What student exchange stipulations would you have?
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
John Peter Key:We tend to offer the full year if the term is over 6 months for university and you have an accepted offer. For exchanges it would be for the duration of exchange and we allow universities to partner up or join the exchange programme of our government while making the visa process easy. We do believe an education exchange would be beneficial to give students an opportunity to get new outlooks . So I'm assuming from that you want Education exchanges between universities and possibly secondary schools?
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AA: Yes please. That would be ideal to have.
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
Having agreed on the trade and goods relations ideas and got pre-emptive approval for the free travel zone idea . Key moved on to the next area security and law enforcement co-operation. He said "We do believe that our nations face many common issues in law and order and terrorism. I'd like to propose joint co-operation on anti-terrorism and crime fighting. I'd like to have a treaty of extradition where each nations law enforcement can apply to each others courts to get a person extradited as well as sharing of information between law enforcement on matters of terrorism leads intelligence as well as any known plans on international crime or if any of our law enforcement find evidence of citizens or a person having committed a crime in the other country or being able to warn if we believe someone is intending to go to your country to commit a crime or attack and vice versa if you know about a risk to our country. We can help defeat crime and terrorism together. "
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AA: Sharing intelligence is very important. Our two nations have to work together. So of course we will join your scheme.
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
John Peter Key happy he'd covered all ground that Duchies wanted to cover asked the Californian delegation if there was anything they wanted to add or propose.
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AA: I don't have anything to add. Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful palace.
The Commonwealth of California
Prime Minister Kamala Harris
Governor-General Julia Gillard
Councilor Snoop Dogg -
After the meeting the delegation were escorted to the main dining room where they would be given the prime seats. Nikolai III opened up the official dinner with California saying in his speech "Today we meet as friends and fellow neighbours but not only that as fellow humans. I am proud that we have achieved so much to cement our friendly relationship and our links which were already so common among our peoples. I therefore toast to our friendship and long may it be the case that Duchians and Californians call each other friends."
They started to tuck into them starters fish cake with mash and jus before going onto a main course of lamb shanks , new potatoes and vine tomatoes and then on to a pudding of Opera Cake. The banquet was grand and top quality with the best wines from the Ducal estate and finest leaf tea or ground coffee for each guest.
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Anthony was in deep gratitude for Mr. Key's kind words.
AA: Yes, with us being friends, we should have a good relationship.
He immediately dove into the food prepared for him. He forgot to eat before leaving, so he was ravenous.
