Traditionally, NAPs are stepping stones to treaties. Do we view this one as such? What about Lazarus makes them a viable future ally? 

I think this is are interesting questions. I'm not as much concerned about the defender identity, but I would ask how we think this might fit with our current alliances.

I saw this more as an end of a cold war of sorts, rather than a push toward a future alliance.

-tsunamy
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Let me go through this point by point:
Tubbius is fairly trustworthy and is, if anything, a true native of Lazarus. Lazarus has also begun to implement a Prime Minister role for their government, moving power away from the delegate. The current PM, Sylven, has been a Defender for years and is a member of the Grey Wardens. I regard also regard Sylven as honest and trustworthy and I do have faith the government will not infringe upon its treaty obligations with us. After all, in doing so our allies would become involved against them which does include XKI, TRR, TEP, and TNP.

With regards to LWU, Lamb and Funk were denied re-entry however EW and Jo are in Lazarus. Also, EW was a guardian in Lazarus and was recalled. Personally I have full confidence in the Lazarene security officers, which include New Rogernomics and Ryccia. I would also imagine that should LWU try to subvert Lazarus again not only would many of our allies respond in aid to the current government, so too would Osiris and TWP due to their treaty obligations. 

I view the furthest we go with Lazarus is a mutual defense agreement, but I don't believe anything of the sort will be aggressively pursued in the next few months. TSP, for years, was a treaty ally of Lazarus and while we may not be looking to do that in the short term, it is my belief that we should have this agreement on the books as part of our pledge to support native rule.

I do recognize your objections with regard to Osiris and TWP being allies of Lazarus. Since we are not passing a full treaty with Lazarus, however, I don't see this as problematic. At the time being, I see this NAP as a recognition of the fact that Lazarus has a sovereign, native controlled, government and we pledge not to infringe upon that. Also, despite Mandate 12 being two years old, Lazarus is still in a transient state, something TWP and Osiris have seized on and we need to make sure we establish these closer ties while they remain in that state. Let's take advantage of this opportunity and engage with a region as they find their place in GP.

Regarding the NPO, I don't see the signing of a non-aggression pact with Lazarus hurting our relationship with them. After all, it's not like we were involved in the NPO-Lazarus war as is and we have no intention to involve ourselves in that conflict in any capacity. For reasons we can not disclose, we do not expect relations with the NPO to change any more. 

Moving forward, I am encouraged by the steps Lazarus is taking toward a liberal democracy but I do not believe at this time that a full treaty is on the horizon. As we look forward I don't believe full alliances will be signed outside of the defender sphere but I do believe NAPs and Mutual Defence Treaties should be signed with non-aligned liberal GCRs as a way to help bridge the divide between defenders and the rest of the game.

Above all else, I hope to be a decent person.
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CoA: August 2016-January 2017
Minister of Foreign Affairs: October 2019-June 2020, October 2020- February 2021

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