Powerful Navies Join Forces To Offset Deltarian-Led Blockade
Joint Vanukean and Lourennais Strategy to Ensure Keymonite and Telamonese Merchant Shipping Stays Safe
The Vanukean Third Fleet, currently based at Maddog Island, will be heavily involved in the safeguarding initiative.
December 4545 - Vanukean and Lourennais naval forces are to patrol international waters to safeguard the passage of merchants ships travelling to and from Keymon and Telamon.
It follows a decision by the Deltarian-led C.A.R.S.S alliance to, not only, impose economic sanctions against the two nations but to use military vessels to block their ships from sailing to and from port - in effect blockading their passage.
Among the Vanukean naval vessels being used to escort convoys will be the Third Carrier Strike Group Fleet, which is currently based at Keymon's Maddog Island. Lourenne's assets will include those based at Vanuku's Stormkaap Island naval facility as well as those from home waters.
In a statement outlining the agreement, Prefect Prince Dytrik Zhtál said: "Today, the governments of the Kingdoms of Vanuku and Lourenne have agreed to guarantee the safe passage of merchant ships travelling through international waters to and from Keymon and Telamon. This includes domestic vessels and those from other nations who wish to trade. We have deployed naval assets to ensure that these ships receive protection against hostilities and to carry out extended patrols to identify and deter potentially hostile forces.
"In addition, Vanuku will go on the record to state it is gravely concerned that Deltaria and C.A.R.S.S should take this action, which is directly in contravention of the internationally accepted protocol regarding sovereignty.
"If Deltaria or its allies have concerns over the regimes in Keymon or Telamon they should bring them up in the World Congress where the international community can resolve to investigate and, if necessary, take appropriate action. Until then we see this as an attempt by one faction to force its will on another - which is clearly unacceptable. In our eyes this mirrors the attempt by Deltaria to impose its will on Selucia regarding Malivia's claim on its territory.
"In addition, we have informed the Deltarian government that our third carrier strike group fleet is based at Maddog Island, Keymon, and will continue to carry out its operations. Any attempts to hinder the fleet's operations will lead to a severe diminishing of relations between our nations. Any hostilities will be reciprocated with appropriate force."
The Prefect said he would be making a further statement regarding Malivia's decision to blockade Selucia over its ongoing sovereignty row in the near future.