Consequential state visit sees New Verham and Lourenne enter new era of cooperation15th of July, 5481
Eroncourt, LourennePresident Sarnai and a delegation of ministers state-secretaries and other government officials visited the Lourennaise capital of Eroncourt earlier this week in what has been described as a "clearly consequential visit." The president went on a official state visit to the country, meeting with High Chancellor Isabelle Santabarbara as well as several other Lourennaise government officials. The visit, announced just a month prior, was meant to bring the two nations closer together and to introduce the two leaders with one another. What came out of it was far more then that however. After what were described as "extremely amicable talks" the two leaders hammered out a deal lucrative to New Verham and strategically important to Lourenne. At the same time Dovani might also be heading towards an era of further cooperation as a result of this visit.
Just 5 hours into the visit, Sarnai and Santabarbara held a joint press conference, answering journalists their questions and setting a friendly tone for the remainder of the visit. At the end of the press conference, it was President Sarnai that announced New Verham its entry into the Dovanian Council, with Santabarbara noting Lourenne would also be joining the organization as a gesture of cooperation and friendship. This move is seen as a positive sign for regional cooperation, with the council being noted as a important forum for its member states to conduct diplomacy and work together on the international stage. Lourenne noted the importance of the Dovanian Court of Justice, citing it to be the main reason for joining. With the entry of these two states, the organization is expected to gain a much needed boost and become more important for regional diplomacy.
While entry into the Dovanian Council already was major news, the visit continued for another three days. President Sarnai held a speech in front of Lourenne its Assembleé Royale, praising the important role Lourenne has played in the world and expressing the hopes for a new Dovanian era, an era of "peace and progress".
At the end of the visit, joint press releases by both the Office of the President and the Office of the High Chancellor announced that Lourenne would be granted permits and licenses to construct and operate a air base and naval base in New Verham, with Lourenne to be granted the guarentee that they can operate these bases for at least the next 20 years. In exchange, while vague, New Verham is to gain significant investments into its manufacturing, green energy and finance sectors. The deal is seen by Baatrynsentiim as a way to gain a valuable ally, while at the same time benefitting the Verhamese economy. The additional security presence is also welcomed, with New Verham itself cutting and downsizing its armed forces in recent years. For Lourenne the bases allow it to have a presence at the Sea of Carina, allowing it to operate more freely on the Dovanian continent.
The state visit ended with President Sarnai thanking the Lourennaise hosts for their "warm welcome", before departing on the presidential plane. The visit is seen as historic by observers, noting the impact of new and friendly relations and entry into the Dovanian Council. The security agreement is also seen as consequential, with Lourenne finally being granted a foothold in the Sea of Carina and gaining a important defense partner in the region.
The
Evening Post is a nightly newspaper focussing on defense, national security and foreign policy issues.