Vanuku Moves Closer to Majatran Alliance Link UpForeign Minister to hold preliminary talks With Istalian Government over pan-continental union plansForeign Minister Rnúf Herlkasrmko Ashur is cautiously optimistic about upcoming talks with Istalia. September 4398 - Vanuku has moved a step closer to joining the Majatran Alliance with Grand Council members looking set
to vote in favour of forging links with the supranational pan-continental organisation.
Foreign Minister Rnúf Herlkasrmko Ashur is expected in the Istalian capital Romula within the next few weeks to hold talks with his opposite number, Simone Calenda, to set out a plan for the way forward.
Minister Calenda has already expressed in favour of Vanuku's entry into the alliance, seeing it as the guarantee for long term prosperity, peace and stability on the continent. It will also reinforce the growing relationship between the two powerhouse nations of Vanuku and Istalia which was first manifested in the Temrkai-Votta Pax in the early 4300s.
Whilst there is some way to go to sign the organisation's official economic union and military alliance treaty, it is certainly seen as a step change for Vanuku, which has a reputation for being steadfastly independent and protective of its powerful domestic economy.
Foreign Minister Ashur was both optimistic but cautious when questioned. He said: "I am certainly looking forward to preliminary dialogue with the Istalian government, which will act as a precursor to full discussions with all 10 active members. There are advantages for both sides and, clearly, the Alliance would significantly benefit from Vanuku, with its economic and military strength, becoming a member.
"But we are clear that any deal of closer ties would have to be the right one for Vanuku and as well as making sense financially and militarily would have to respect our sovereignty, our values and our traditions."
Vanuku has also been 'courted' by the Northern Council recently, with the General Secretary of the organisation, Harald Christiansen, visiting the Vanukean capital Wiel to hold global security talks with the Prefect, Duke Sizma Zhtál. The Secretary General is keen to make closer ties more official through the signing of a formal Co-operation Treaty but many Grand Council members are luke warm to the idea.
One skeptic backbencher told
Forwards Vanuku!: "I am not the greatest fan of the Majatran Alliance but I am very, very wary about the Kazulian influence over the Northern Council and the expansion of that body. So, if I had to pick, I would back the MA every time."