Qastari
Prince Yousef, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was actually now doing a part of his job never done before by the democratic government: handling foreign affairs by visting another country.
At the first moments of the democratic government, foreign affairs was not that much of an issue, due to the internal problems Fornoire faced being far more of a priority. But now, things were calm. The war with Kumari was resolved, rebellions were squashed and under control, and political stability was fine enough for peace to exist.
So, he had an agenda to fulfill, as the government took more interest in foreign affairs. He would negotiate for a Fornirian embassy to be put in Qastari and viceversa, and he would negotiate visa-free travel between the two countries, as socialists were interested in visiting Qastari, and requests to go to Qastari in general was gradually and unexpectedly on the rise.
He was on a flight. Now, he could see Qastari from the air. His plane landed, and awaited destiny
Smasei Port
After the revolution, nearly all of the Qastari government's focus had turned inward. To reconstructing countrysides and cities, organizing workplaces, and building defenses as rapidly as they could. A few months ago however, they determined that the country had become sufficient enough to engage with the rest of the world again on a larger scale. The war between Fornoire and The Union was of interest, but they concluded not to get involved until the war was over, at risk of being seen as taking sides or dragged into the fighting. The time was now to start building relations with like minded and potentially friendly foreign powers, though. Conveniently enough, they were welcoming to Fornoire's request to have an audience.
Prince Yousef's plane had arrived a few km inland from Smasei. It was determined there was too much commotion going on in the capital for such a meeting. Two armed security guards and a guide courteously greeted the Prince, and began to escort him to the location of the meeting. They would arrive and board a newly constructed passenger train that connected the airport to the Smasei port and city center. The city was situated on the southern shore of the island in the bay which Qastari centered itself around. The port, heavily industrialized in the last five years, was built like a fortress after being used by the previous government as a naval port. However, the train would stop about a km inland on a hill. A much cleaner area where most of the city's offices and markets were located, and here the government offices of Smasei was located. Prince Yousef was finally escorted to the Qastari diplomat, in a meeting hall used by the council governing the island, receiving curious looks from the locals on the way.
The diplomat finally greeted Yousef. "Good to meet you, Prince Yousef. I hope our city has treated you well," motioning him to his seat, "What do you have to discuss for me today?"
Smasei, Qastari
Finally, Prince Yousef in Qastari. He was impressed by this nation, re-building itself and industrializing as well. Perhaps Fornoire could also experience such revival. Maybe capitalism could even make this resurgence stronger than Qastari's, but that was a topic for another time.
He was unfazed by the strange looks average Qastaris gave him. He was in a foreign visit, and his objectives were clear: set up an embassy, and craft a visa-free deal with Qastari diplomats. It was suggested to him that, if things went well, reduction of tariffs could also be discussed.
And now, he faced his first task. Yousef, holding on to his agenda, began to speak.
"I give you our gratitude" said Yousef "I was treated well. The Kingdom of Fornoire has dispatched me to negotiate the following: the establishment of embassies between our two nations, and a visa-free deal. The latter is to increase tourism and economic activity to and from Fornoire, and the same for Qastari"
"There is also a secondary topic in our agenda: reduction of tariffs, so economic exchange can increase. If all goes well, I have been instructed to negotiate this with you as well, if you permit it"
"Let us start. First, the establishment of embassies. As a representative of the Fornirian crown and of the Fornirian government in Catherine, we would like to create an embassy, or otherwise known in other nations as a 'diplomatic mission' in Qastari, and for Drakos to do the same in Fornoire. Our two nations could communicate better and have representation in the other's nation. Does Qastari agree to this?"
The diplomat nodded, thoughtfully, at what Prince Yousef had to say as he proceeded to take a sip out of one of two cups of Qastarian coffee placed on the table. His mind stuck, for just a moment on the issue of tariffs, making sure not to get distracted on the thought proceeded.
"Of course, Prince Yousef, I'm glad to hear you've had a good experience here. First and foremost, in order to craft initial ties with Fornoire, my primary goal here today is to come to an agreement establishing embassies with you as well. As far as a Fornirian embassy in Qastari is concerned, it would be located in our capital and could be operation within a month's time."
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