You referred to the “exceptional friendship” with the East Pacific. Could you provide a summary of the current alliance and what has been done under it, for the benefit of newer legislators who might not be familiar with the current state of affairs?

Former Delegate of the South Pacific
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I think this is a great plan! Go for it! Thanks for keeping us informed.

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You referred to the “exceptional friendship” with the East Pacific. Could you provide a summary of the current alliance and what has been done under it, for the benefit of newer legislators who might not be familiar with the current state of affairs?

So currently, TSP and TEP are members in a multilateral defense organization with the Rejected Realms (the other defender GCR). Most recently, TSP helped lead the effort to restore TEP's democracy following a coup last year. That is probably the most recent act which has solidified the commitment each region has to one another, and the relationship built through that is something we are looking to codify. I would anticipate continued interaction with TEP following any treaty.

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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This is quite a pleasant development and I’m glad the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively pursuing this alliance. Looks good, full support!

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The Cabinet has unanimously agreed to the following:

THE GALAPAGOS ACCORDS Article I. Mutual Recognition Section 1. Signatories recognize the Government of the East Pacific, as established by the Concordat, and the Coalition of the South Pacific, as established by the Charter, as the respective official governments of The East Pacific and the South Pacific. Section 2. The signatories agree to recognize any legal successor to the above governments as the legitimate government of the signatories respective regions. This shall be done through the adoption of a memorandum of understanding recognizing the new government as the successor.  Article II. Diplomatic Relations Section 1. To ensure continuing diplomatic relations the Signatories shall maintain in-game embassies on Nationstates.net, off-site embassies on their respective regional forums, and diplomatic representatives within each other's region, to the best of their abilities. Section 2. The signatories will allow and encourage each other’s residents to participate in their social activities and cultural events, on or off the NationStates site, subject to their adherence to the rules of the region and of the relevant platform. Article III. Prohibitions on Signatories Section 1. Signatories are prohibited from engaging in any military hostilities against the home region of the other Signatory. Section 2. Signatories are prohibited from engaging in any attempt directly or indirectly, or give any form of support to, a coup d’état or any other acts of subversion against the legitimate recognized government of the other Signatory; Section 3. Signatories are prohibited from engaging in any acts of espionage, subterfuge, or other subversive operations against the other signatory Article IV. Obligations of Signatories  Section 1. Signatories agree to provide military assistance in case of a military attack against the home region of the other Signatory. Section 2. Signatories agree to provide each other intelligence, on a need-to-know basis, on the acts or intentions of any party engaging in military hostilities, a coup d’état, or any acts of subversion against the home region and legitimate government of either Signatory. This intelligence shall be shared with relevant security organization as laid out in the domestic laws of each region. Section 3. Signatories agree to keep any shared intelligence confidential unless doing so would violate applicable laws, or the terms of service for NationStates or said signatory's forum provider, or unduly compromise said signatory's sources of information. Section 4. Signatories agree to provide military assistance during lawful transitions of power between delegates if requested. Article V. Resolution for Disputes, Suspension, and Termination Section 1. Should a dispute between the two parties to this treaty arise, every effort shall be made to settle it peacefully with a mutually acceptable solution. Section 2. Either signatory may unilaterally suspend the terms of the treaty for at most thirty days. During the suspension, every effort should be made to come to a mutually acceptable solution to the cause of suspension. Section 3. Either Signatory can terminate this treaty in writing to the other signatory, providing at least three days advance notice to the other Signatory. Such termination will not constitute an act of war or hostility by the terminating region in and of itself. Termination of the treaty may occur without prior suspension of the treaty. Article VI. Ratification, Deposit, and Clarification Section 1. This treaty shall be ratified by the completion of the respective legal process in each region. Section 2. Each Signatory shall publicly record the complete text of this treaty in its appropriate record-keeping place. Section 3. At any time, the signatories may meet to clarify the terms of this treaty through memorandums of understanding, which shall be posted alongside the treaty.

I am willing to answer any and all questions.

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

(This post was last modified: 06-05-2020, 12:09 AM by Omega.)

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The multilateral treaty with TEP had a primary purpose-- hoping that relations with 2 defender regions would encourage TEP into the defender sphere. Realistically, where do you see TEP in the next year?

You also mention doing this in case something happens between TRR and TEP. I'm confused by this-- we have a much a longer history with TRR, while our history with TEP is checkered at best. Do you see any scenario in which we would abandon TRR in favor of TEP??

(This post was last modified: 05-25-2020, 08:24 AM by sandaoguo.)

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Realistically, where do you see TEP in the next year?

Probably still nonaligned but they won't go, Defender if we stop engagement. The Fedele coup made clear our region's commitment to TEP's security and well being as a community and by passing treaties like this one, we affirm it. Yes, the TEP-TRR-TSP treaty exists but there is no reason to not engage further. Again, if we don't engage, no one will want to become Defender.
 

I'm confused by this-- we have a much a longer history with TRR, while our history with TEP is checkered at best. Do you see any scenario in which we would abandon TRR in favor of TEP??

That's not the point. The point is we don't know what the future either region might have and we could be closer with TEP than we are with TRR at some point. However, by not having this option on the table we could risk abandoning a closer ally. I can't see the future of our relationship with either region but I want us to have all options on the table moving towards an uncertain tomorrow.

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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The title has been changed and the following change was made in Article 1, Section1:

 Section 1. Signatories recognize the Confederated States Government of Tthe East Pacific, as established by the Concordat, and the Coalition of Tthe South Pacific, as established by the Charter, as the respective official governments of The East Pacific and the South Pacific.

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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The East Pacific and its government has been shown to have been more vulnerable to exploitation by outside forces than other GCRs in recent history. Do we have any encouragement that the region have become any more discerning about its leaders and members, or has tightened security enough that this alliance won't be used against us or exploited by those who might seek to harm TSP and/or TEP in the future?

Recognising the official government seems inoffensive and appropriate in theory, but what are our options within the constraints of this treaty if that Government begins to make similar noises to the Fedele administration?

I am wary that Article III, Section 2 could be used against us in such circumstances, were we even to make enquiries to natives of TEP about the conduct of their officials.

Are we wholly satisfied that the East Pacific has made the changes it needs to protect itself from that? It is concerning to me that they are already working cooperatively (militarily) with the exact same people who sought to subvert their official government only months ago.

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The East Pacific and its government has been shown to have been more vulnerable to exploitation by outside forces than other GCRs in recent history. Do we have any encouragement that the region have become any more discerning about its leaders and members, or has tightened security enough that this alliance won't be used against us or exploited by those who might seek to harm TSP and/or TEP in the future?

I have been encouraged by how seriously the Marrabuk administration has taken regional security and anticipate their successor will as well. I also know TEP has sought out closer ties to the regions which aided them during the Fedele coup.

Recognising the official government seems inoffensive and appropriate in theory, but what are our options within the constraints of this treaty if that Government begins to make similar noises to the Fedele administration?

We do not lose any diplomatic options for response under this accord as it does not limit our options any more than the January Accords do, which the Assembly has remained supportive of.
 

I am wary that Article III, Section 2 could be used against us in such circumstances, were we even to make enquiries to natives of TEP about the conduct of their officials.

I would point you towards the second clause of Article 2.1 of the January Accords, which contains similar language saying "nor participate in any action with the intent to overthrow their legitimate governments as recognized in this Treaty." Again, if we could act how we did during the Fedele Coup under the January Accords, none of those avenues for action would be taken away from us under this treaty.
 

Are we wholly satisfied that the East Pacific has made the changes it needs to protect itself from that? It is concerning to me that they are already working cooperatively (militarily) with the exact same people who sought to subvert their official government only months ago.

The East Pacific Sovereign Army is also frequently seen updating in libcord with Defenders. I would also point you to the following statement describing the security actions taken by the East Pacific with respect to the perpetrators of their coup. TEP also updated the role of their Viziers so they are a serious security body.

Finally, it would appear TEP wants to become more connected to the Defender sphere as they recently passed the following treaty with XKI, a close ally of our own. I submit that by continuing engagement, TEP will continue to engage with the Defender community, and deepen its ties with Defenders around NS. Let's pass this treaty.

Above all else, I hope to be a decent person.
Has Been
What's Next?

 

CoA: August 2016-January 2017
Minister of Foreign Affairs: October 2019-June 2020, October 2020- February 2021

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