Prefect Delighted With Jelbanian Agreement
Deal With Augustan Empire Seen As Final Piece in Geopolitical Jigsaw Which Will Help Secure The Nation's Borders
Prefect Könnyrahe Who Has Recently Returned From A Successful Meeting With the Grand Logothete of the Augustan Empire.
December 4502 - The Prefect, Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe, has said Vanuku's geopolitical situation has much improved following an agreement with the Augustan Empire regarding Jelbania.
A deal has been struck whereby Vanuku will not stand in the way of its southern neighbour becoming a province of the Empire in return for continued economic involvement in the north of Jelbania. The Prefect said that the sizeable Vanukean-owned industrial sector in Jelbania would remain in Kingdom hands and that his nation would be compensated for the major infrastructure projects it had invested in.
He said: "This is very good news for all parties. We have always said that we respect Jelbanian sovereignty and will defend that to the hilt but needed assurances on our significant economic interests there. The security of Jelbania now passes to the Empire, allowing us to withdraw troop deployments there and bring our boys home, but we continue to reap the financial rewards of our investments in that nation.
"Not so long ago our allies Istalia famously said that Vanuku was surrounded by enemies on all sides in league with Thallerists. But the steps we have taken have alleviated the situation. Firstly, we played an instrumental role in ensuring regime change in Barmenistan and now have good relations with that moderate country; we have had diplomatic successes with Deltaria, which saw them not only withdraw their own troops from Jelbania but dissolve their puppet socialist state in the southern reaches of that country.
"Now finally, we have seen the The Fenikso-Thallerist regime fall in Zardugal and a new regime rise there in the form of the Augustan Empire, which has responded positively to our diplomacy and is ready to work with us to ensure peace and stability in Majatra.
"So, on all sides those 'enemies' that surrounded us have been toppled. Vanuku once again stands safe and economically secure."
Asked if Augustan Emperor Herodoto III's comments regarding the marriage of Princess Agné Banmek-Sntazed to Baron Jebr Zhtál may damage relations between Vanuku and the Empire, the Prefect said: "His Imperial Majesty's comments bear the hallmarks of unrequited lover and raw emotion and will simply be judged in that light. We believe he will come to accept the reality of the situation soon enough and, of course, we hope he will be a guest at the happy couple's upcoming wedding."