International Conference

Quick introductions and words of greeting were becoming a little tiresome, at times he felt he was Wandress' escort, this was her area afterall. He caught a few names of those he had met and tried to take note of where they were from, but he hoped Wandress had a better idea, because he was likely to forget. The news from France was the most troublesome and interesting, considering what had recently happened with certain armies and group travelling from Munster in the latter part of last year. His only hope was people knew Munster had no official part in any of that war and anyone who had travelled to the war had done so on their own accord.


OOC - Im not actually bored, just not sure where I fit in

Deekay nodded to Sindbad.

"My thanks - though I am disappointed. We have had no contact with Bretagne since Athos was ambassador. I felt he was a good man with difficult instructions."

I'm soory, my friend. I should have been clearer.

I was not criticising France.

Rather, disappointed that the Royal Embassy has had nothing but silence from Brittany.

It has been one of the pleasures of my time at the Embassy, that we have had warm relations between our two offices.

King Faheud nods at the productive discussions around the room and asks, "Has anyone seen an agenda for this gathering of excellent folk?"

When Kragomir heard the English King speaking he nodded in agreement as he spoke to Wandress "Good call from Faheud, we need an agenda now that everyone is here"

Caitilin Nodded to his Excellency Sindbad. Aye that is the reason for this meeting of minds. What can we to to protect the trade routes? We are here to discuss that and perhaps get some trade agreements formalized.

I listened at Lady Caitilin words, then I replied: "However, before starting hurring along the path of solutions, I think we should analyze the problem, for example describing the cases of robbery and/or piracy.
I will start offering you a short sketch of the italian situation: as for the trade system on wheels, we do not have particularly serious problems with brigands, mainly for two reasons: there are not associations of professional thiefs (often the robbers are only desperate farmers that are starving) and the trials against the few acts of robbery are very rapid and the crime is -at least in the Duchy of Milan- punished with long periods of jail (even eight days). So the brigands attack only people who travels alone, without a group of friends or a military escort, and these cases are very few. During my work as Public Prosecutor of the Duchy I opened somewhat as ten trials for robbery. It is not such a social problem.
As for piracy, this is not a problem of mour Duchy, thus we have only river-ports, and -generally- I heard of very few acts of piracy in the Mediterranean Sea, but I think that the Great Chancellor of Venice and the Genovese Ambassador could explain better this point.

Now that we have highlighted at least that point -that in Italy (as I think in your countries) the acts of brigandy are rare and casual, not organized by a central chief of the thief (please forgive me for the play on words), what can we do to stop even these last woodland inhabitants?

My first suggestion is: police."

Caitilin smiled graciously at the Ambassador from Milan. You are right Excellency. To solve the problem you must first know what is causing it, the root, so to speak.

Standing slowly he bows to Caitlin "If I may" he nodded to the King before continuing "I think his Majesty's reference to an agenda, was meant that we need someone to chair this meeting, keep it on track and make sure everyone has their say on each matter and subject" he placed his hands on the table in front of him "Myself and Chancellor Wandress travelled here from Munster to meet you all in person and to get a better idea of what the other like minded regions in Europe would like to see in terms of trade and judicial treaties, but there are a number of strangers here and we need one person to keep the conference on the right track" he bowed his head again "Thank you" Wandress' fingers brushed his hand slightly as he took his seat again.

Ambassador Caitilin stood and nodded to his Grace and his Excellence. Marie entered with an official looking parchment. Cait took a moment to read the contents and remain still a moment. In the absence of Chancellor de Lusignon, I would be honoured to fill in for him. But I have just received word that his Majesty, King Faheud has been gathered to Jah. Cait paused and bowed her head for a moment. In light of this news, I will leave it to you. I know that King Faheud was keen on the conference and would most likely wish us to continue. Since we have gathered, shall we continue or postpone until the mourning period is over? I for one feel we can continue in honour of a King that was wise and progressive in his thoughts.

Wandress inclined her head in sombre respect. "Our deepest sympathies and condolences for the people of England. His Majesty's presence will be missed here. While I'm sure he would like to see the success of this conference, out of respect for the English members of this conference and the late King, I take no issue if you wish to observe the period of mourning."

She remained standing and turned to the others. Out of courtsey for all who have come from great distances, I would rather memorialize his Majesty with a productive meeting. King Faheud was a man of action and would, I hope, look down on this meeting and smile. If it is agreeable. let us continue. I would like to begin by welcoming everyone and express my gratitude to all for traveling here and taking the time from you busy schedules to meet for our 3rd International Conference of diplomats from around the world. Perhaps it would be good to introduce ourselves and state what we would like to accomplish with this gathering.

Cait took a sip from the goblet near her right hand and continued. If I may speak for my husband, his intent is to initiate Trade Treaties and Judicial Treaties between the participating delegates and to speak to how we can come to a cooperative effort to guard the trade routes from piracy. We should look at the Maritime Laws that are currently on our books and... I know this may be aggressive, but standardize the laws on an international level. Chancellor Messire Thomaskeion has made a good point that we need to look at the past record to formulate any future actions. I am not the expert in writing documents or Laws but we could begin with drafting a cooperative agreement that will involve our county and nation naval forces. This will take time and the approval process could be lengthy. I know England has many separate navies and it would need to go before each council for approval. Cait sighed knowing the process could take months.

A brief wind flutters some papers in the room and a voice whispers gently from the seat which had til recently been occupied by the English King...


All.

As has been reported, the I was gathered to the arms of Jah and have passed on.

Also as has been surmised, I would be well pleased to know that these good works continue unhindered in our memory.

Thank you all for coming

Thank Baldar and Caitilin for organizing the affair.

You have great minds here and can craft a path forward that benefits all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It has been an Honor.

The wind rises again and then a feeling of peace and purpose pervades the atmosphere.

Baldar entered the hall and as he entered a wind fluttered rose and as papers moved, he looked at the place where is beloved King had sat, and suddenly he heard like a whisper and his heart felt saddness but at the same time he knew that hs King was there.

HRMFaheud wrote:

All.

As has been reported, the I was gathered to the arms of Jah and have passed on.

Also as has been surmised, I would be well pleased to know that these good works continue unhindered in our memory.

Thank you all for coming

Thank Baldar and Caitilin for organizing the affair.

You have great minds here and can craft a path forward that benefits all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It has been an Honor.

Baldar suddenly knelt on the ground, I promise you my leige we will work to bring the nations to work together.

I just heard the announcement of the death of the King of England when a voice coming from nowhere echoed in my mind...
When it stopped, it left me in my sorrow for the dead king.

Baldar having stood addressed the people present.

My Lords, and Ladies, it is with deep sorrow that ou beloved King of England has gone to the arms of Jah, But I know and I can feel that he is hear in spirit in thi conference and that he would want t to continue, and I want to continue it in his honor.

While this is the III confernece in this Castle lots have changed since the last conference last year. A lot of ideas were brought forward but wordly events stopped it going further.

We have here the possibility to creat the foundations of Treaties for trade and also to see how to best unite in fighting our common enemies.

For now I would like to start a discussion on Trade. Last year I presented as an example a discussed trety of Trade, discussed in a similar conference held in Venice, which I was honored to attend. I would like to present it here as a base to start a discussio.


By the Doge of Venice, in this case we can maybe use it as an example, to work on

Cangrande wrote:

Here you are the proposal of agreement:

Quote :

TREATY OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE


Following the International Trade Conference held at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice in June 1457,

In reference to the will of all the contractors to increase international trade in the region to contribute to wealth and prosperity for all populations concerned,

With the common desire that through this cooperation we can reduce as much as possible any conflict in the region and ensure peace,

The Contracting Parties bind themselves to sign and respect this treaty of trade and economic cooperation.

Article I
1. The Contracting Parties bind themselves to send to a room specially designated of the Palazzo Ducale in Venice their Trade Ministers or other persons delegated by them.
2. In this room, representatives of each contracting party may report the goods they intend to buy or sell, in order to facilitate trade in the region.
3. In this room, all those who have access are required to communicate in English.

Article II
1. The Contracting Parties bind themselves to participate actively in trade cooperation, ensuring the passage of goods from one province to another.
2. Each Contracting Party binds itself to appoint one or more merchants in its border cities to facilitate such cooperation.
3. The Government of each Contracting Party binds itself to cooperate in the sale of goods held by other parties. Such collaboration requires a constant communication and use of warrants for the transfer of goods in the region.
4. In the attached is proposed an example of this trade system of how it have to work.

Article III
1. Any merchant that provides the service on behalf of this trade cooperation will receive for each day of travel a salary of 20 pounds.
2. Each “transition province” has a right of way to a compensation equal to 10 pounds each time must give his aid to the cooperation system.
3. These costs should be divided equally between the province that sells goods and the province that buys goods. These provinces may also agree in a different way.

Article IV
1. The Contracting Parties bind themeselves as more as possible to ensure the safety of merchants and the success of trade.
2. The responsability of the goods belongs to the province where the goods are located.
3. All Contracting Parties bind themselves to process any robbers that impede the conclusion of trade held in the name of this Treaty, even if the act of robbery occurs outside its territory.
4. The merchants who are appointed for the purpose of trade cooperation that in any way impede or steal the goods will be pursued until their death by all the contracting parties, notwithstanding other laws.
5. Any Contracting Party would impede the proper functioning of the system of trade cooperation without proper justification, will have an appropriate retaliation from all other contracting parties. Such retaliation may go from economic isolation to war.

Article V
1. In case of dispute about the application of the Treaty or on the system of trade cooperation, the Parties shall decide by majority vote.
2: The Contracting Parties bind themselves to respect the decisions taken by majority vote.

Article VI
1. The Contracting Parties bond themselves to organize at least once a year a trade and economic conference to check the state of cooperation and evaluate any proposals for improvement.
2. The seat of this Conference will be decided by vote of the Contracting Parties between the provinces that are proposed to host.
3. The Contracting Parties reserve the right to create supranational bodies to ensure a better functioning of the economic and trade cooperation.

Article VII
1. All provinces participating in the conference in June 1457 may sign this treaty and become a fully-fledged Parties thereto.
2. Any new contractors must have the consent of all contractors to participate in the treaty.

Article VIII
1. This Treaty shall enter into force without limit of time after the ratification by the contractors, who undertake their lands and their peoples.
2. By mutual consent, the rewriting of the Treaty may be made in full or in part.
3. The contractor who wishes to terminate this treaty will have to send an official letter to the other contractors and to publish this letter at the room in Palazzo Ducale (see Article 1). The treaty will be considered for this contractor canceled a week after the publication of the official letter.


Done in Venice, June 23 1457

Your thoughts Mi Lords and Ladies

May I thank you all for your concerns and comments over the passing of His Majesty.

I agree we should continue.

I wonder the treaty looks good - but what effect does it have?

I am told that trade is difficult to make a real profit from when you take into account lost wages. The treaty helps that, but do the towns gain if they pay wages?