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Northlands News and Reports 

The official news and information outlet for the state.

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This is the official news organ for the government and state. Important, public announcements and reports will be shown here. Foreign governments have access to the information not listed as classified or private on this page and are free to comment. Nations should speak directly with the Office of Foreign Affairs to discuss matters of importance with the Northlands.

 

Northlands News and Reports is operated through the Office of State Affairs and is currently under the direction of Editor Sir Charles Rutte.

 

Northlands Factbook

 

 


 

 


Royal Archives

 

Nordic Hammer (MDOAP + Trade)

Nordisk Rike, Russia, Belarus, Northlands

________________________________________________________________________________________

Economic Security Pact (Qualified MDP + Trade)

Greece, Malta, Northlands

________________________________________________________________________________________

Nordisk Rike (MDOAP + Trade)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Greece (ODP + Trade)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Alvonia (ODP + Trade)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Cascadia (ODP + Trade)

________________________________________________________________________________________

France (NAP + Trade)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Malta (NAP + Trade)

 

[spoiler]

 

 

NORDIC HAMMER

Alliance between the Northlands, Nordisk Rike, Belarus, and Russia

 

Article 1.

An attack on one member of Nordic Hammer is an attack on all. Full support of the attacked member is not optional.

 

Article 2.

Nordic Hammer members are encouraged to support one another on matters not directly related to defense.

 

Article 3.

Nordic Hammer members stand united.

 

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler]

Northlands-Sverige Treaty

 

Article 1

Non-Aggression

Both Signatories agree to not attack each other with this binding treaty, regardless if another treaty brings them on opposite sides of war.

 

Article 2

Mutual Defense

Both Signatories agree to defend the other should they come under attack from a foreign power. This clause becomes optional should either signatory come under attack from activating a treaty with a third party, that dragged them into an already existing war.

 

Article 3

Optional Aggression

Both Signatories have the option to join in with the other party should that party decide to go on the offensive in a war.

 

Article 4

Trade and Commerce

Both Signatories agree to remove trade tariffs on goods exchanged between both cultures, and encourage businesses to cross each others borders to promote cultural unity.

 

Article 5

Open Border

Both Signatories agree that citizens from either nation shall have the right to get travel visa's with no restrictions towards them. This will allow for a cultural exchange as well as promote unity between both nations citizens and government.

 

Article 6

Kiel Canal

Both Signatories agree for joint administration of the Kiel Canal Zone. This will allow for the Canal to remain open and prevent foreign powers from seizing it to push their own agenda. It will also allow both signatories to close the Canal to any nation they see fit, as well as seize ships and inspect cargo on any suspicious ships.

 

Article 7

Education

Both Signatories see the importance of Education as the core for strength of its citizens, and both Signatories will agree to promote, fund, and support child, adolescent, and young adults in receiving the proper education, and have all the tools necessary to receive the education of  their choice.

 

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler]

 

Northlands and Alvonia Declaration of Economic Cooperation and Non-Aggression

 

In the spirit of friendship and cooperation, the Northlands and Alvonia agree to the following provisions laid out in the mutually-agreed upon pact. Both nations remain fully sovereign states and sign this treaty in the hopes that better relations may be attained for the greater peace, prosperity, and good of these two nations.

 

Article I. Trade

 

Both the Northlands and Alvonia agree to promote trade between one another. Each state will endeavor to lower any tariffs or fees on trade of products and industries between the two nations, bar those considered necessary for vital national interests or those industries which have been granted exception. The nations pledge to work together to achieve this, preferably through reciprocation of changes in commerce regulation and oversight.

 

Article II. Nonaggression 

 

Both the Northlands and Alvonia agree to a pact of non-aggression, and will not interfere or step into the soil of the other nation when not specifically requested. Nor will either signatory illegally spy, destabilize, or in any other way attempt to bring harm to the other. 

 

Article III. Peace in Germany 

 

Both the Northlands and Alvonia recognize that special consideration must be provided due to past incidents involving the German lands.

 

Alvonia agrees to recognize Northlandic oversight, sovereignty, and protectorate duties of German lands, except for those currently owned by Alvonia in Bayern and Baden-Wurttemberg. Alvonia agrees to not infringe on the sovereignty or integrity of these states. 

 

The Northlands agrees to recognize Alvonian oversight and sovereignty over Bayern and Baden-Wurttemberg. The Northlands agrees to not infringe on the sovereignty or integrity of these states. 

 

Article IV. Termination

 

Should either the Northlands or Alvonia feel this treaty no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended, they may notify the other of their intention to cancel. Such notification must be communicated three weeks (OOC: 72 hours) in advance. 

 

 

[/spoiler]

Edited by Californian
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Peacekeepers sent to Germany 

 

Recent reports indicate possible turmoil in our neighboring nation of Germany. All attempts to communicate with the government have so far met with little success. King William IV has made the emergency decision to send a detachment of 1,000 peacekeepers to Germany to maintain peace and ensure the proper running of utilities and local governments. Neighboring Ubersteinia has been notified of this decision and requested to send additional troops to augment Northlands peacekeepers until such a time as the situation in Germany can be ascertained.

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Protectorate in Germany Established

 

With the successful conclusion of the Berlin Conference, the majority of Germany excepting the southernmost two provinces have been put under the direct protection of the Northlands. King William IV has called for the establishment of the North German Protectorate Zone, under the direct supervision of the newly created Bureau of German Affairs in the Office of Foreign Affairs. The Bureau, principally located in Noordenwind, will have regional offices in Bremen and Berlin. 

 

A total of 1,000 peacekeepers will remain in the region, mainly to train and monitor indigenous police forces and protect Northlands government and economic interests in the area. Alexandre Lemaitre, Minister of the Office of Foreign Affairs, has given his assurances that there are currently no plans to host a plebiscite or incorporate German lands. "This is a land of German people and will be maintained as such," he said when asked about the matter. The Bureau is obligated to pinpoint and support local self-rule movements that peacefully spawn in the territory.

 

Northlands Fleets Set Sail

 

Civilian convoys with a limited number of merchant marine support have set sail from ports along the coast of the Northlands in search of trade and commerce that may have arisen in lands since the Great Conflict. One convoy has headed into the North Sea while the other has charted a course to the Atlantic Ocean. 

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Treaty with the Baltic Union Ratified

 

King William IV and the High Council have signed and officially ratified the FTA-ODP with Ubersteinia. This has been hailed as a breakthrough in foreign relations for the new state of the Northlands and a natural progression of cooperation that showed itself during the Germany incident. 

 

Fleets Continue Movements

 

The fleet in the Atlantic would continue its movements, eventually making landfall at a series of islands once inhabited by European powers. This included Madeira and the Azores islands. In the north, the fleet would make its way to the Faroe Islands.

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Atlantic Islands

In the past weeks the Azores, Madeira, and Faroes had been settled by Northlands civilians who had journeyed to these lands. Languishing since the fall of Athens, surviving people on the islands had been living in squalid conditions. The arrival of a reestablished nation and its people loaded with supplies and wealth would prove to help start the revitalization of these islands. The Northlands government is expected to make an official announcement regarding the islands in the upcoming days after talking to local leaders and assessing the current situation.

Protectorates Established

The fall of the Vatican had been a grave blow to the many Catholics in the Northlands. The news had come as much of a surprise, especially with reports of the Northlands hosting a delegation from the nation. Realizing that the Vatican had become much more than a city state and had been governing thousands, the Northlands government felt it prudent to act to ensure the security and wellbeing of these people. From Madeira, a small expedition of ships and men would secure Gibraltar, the Ballearic Islands, Andorra, Monaco, and Malta. Planes would airlift men to these destinations, at first sending small detachments as quick response teams. Two frigates would be sent to ensure the security of Gibraltar. Additionally, soldiers would be airlifted to the more isolated islands of St Helena, Asuncion, and Tristan da Cunha. The fall of the Vatican, while tragic, would not be allowed to interfere with the stability of the people and nations of Europe.

Edited by California
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Office of Protectorate Affairs Established

 

 

Citing the increase in territory and land currently governed as protectorate holdings, King William IV, with support from the High Council and People's Council, has officially created the Office of Protectorate Affairs (OPA) as a separate entity within the Northlands government. Previously operating within the Office of Foreign Affairs, all bureaus and departments tasked with protectorate oversight have been transferred to OPA. The Bureau of German Affairs, formerly in the OFA and in charge of the North German Protectorate Zone, has been disbanded due to the emergence of a nation in that territory, with many officers transferred to the new embassy in Brandenburg. 

 

The Bureau of Atlantic Administration and Bureau of Mediterranean Administration have been created within the OPA. The BAA is responsible for overseeing the Faroe Islands, Azores, Madeira, St. Helena, Asuncion, and Tristan da Cunha while the BMA oversees Gibraltar, Monaco, Malta, Andorra, and the Balearic Islands. 

 

The recent incident with Portugal and tensions with several other states over the status of these lands has prompted an outcry from the local populations of these territories and a promise from the Northlands government to clarify its position and level of governance over these lands. Polls are being held to determine the status of these territories, with independence, annexation by Northlands, and continuation as protectorate listed as options. Additionally, Monaco and Andorra have had additional options listed on their ballots at the request of France, including annexation by France and protectorate status by France. 

 

Northlands Position in Pacific Clarified

 

The response by the Northlands towards the Pacific has been muted until this point. However, recent reports of the collapse of the Philippines, crises between China and Japan, and increasing clout of Hawaii in the region have compelled the Northlands to act. Citing the need to ensure self-rule and freedom in the region, historical relations, and desire to enhance the security of Northlandic economic interests in the area, the following areas have been declared off-limits to further territorial claims by nations and under the oversight of the Northlands: Fiji, Nauru, Vanuatu, Guadalcanal, and the Pitcairn Islands. Ships would be dispatched with some troops to asset this claim.

Edited by California
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Election Results Announced

 

After two days of polling at locations ranging from the middle of the Mediterranean to the south Atlantic, the results of referendums being held in all land overseen by the Northlands as a protectorate have been officially certified and announced. There were no reports of major irregularities during the voting and the elections mark a major transition in governance for these lands.

 

The polls were orginially announced months ago after the local populations of these territories demanded an "in or out" option. While the Northlands had originally included many of these lands as protectorate in the wake of the Vatican collapse, that action has been largely seen as transitory and putting the status of these territories in unknown, ambiguous territory with the people not full Northlands citizens and unable to enjoy those benefits while still technically overseen by the Northlandic government. In the past few months numerous political and rights groups have spawned in each region with a varying array of interests, from a desire for integration into the Northlands to union with other nations.

 

The first question asked on the ballot was whether to give the protectorate independence. Assuming 'no' receive a majority of votes, the following question asked whether the protectorate should become further integrated into the Northlands. Assuming 'yes' received a majority of votes, the following question asked whether the protectorate should become an integral region or dependent territory. And finally, for some of the regions, assuming a majority voted for 'no', the final question asked whether the protectorate should join a neighboring nation with cultural and historical ties. If none of these questions received majority approval, the status quo of protectorate would be maintained. 

 

No region voted for complete independence, with analysts commenting that the local populations seemed eager for the order and benefits an already established nation would be able to provide for them, many of them island territories that are incapable of sustained isolation at more than a survival level. The regions of the Balearic Islands, Madeira, and Malta voted for further union with the Northlands as integral provinces while Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands supported dependent territory status. 

 

However, further integration did not gather a majority of votes in Andorra, Monaco, and the Azores. The two former regions of Andorra and Monaco voted for union with neighboring France and the Azores voted for integration with Portugal. Both Andorra and Monaco had overwhelming supermajorities in the polls, a credit to the effectiveness of the Join France campaigns in both of these regions. The vote in the Azores was much narrower, with only slightly less than needed support for integration into the Northlands. Analysts state that the Madeira and Azores difference in voting could be due in part to the perception of Northlands involvement in both of these locations. Madeira had seen a surge in economic activity as the unofficial hub of protectorate affairs in the region. 

 

With the certification of these results, both France and Portugal as well as the rest of the world would be notified of the results. Office of Protectorate Affairs in Andorra, Monaco, and the Azores would begin handing over administrative responsibility in these regions to the respective neighbor once confirmation had been received that the nation would allow for this.

 

The High Council and People's Council spent the night in their chambers discussing the results. The Northlands has not expanded and the acquisition of territory on a non-protectorate basis had no precedent in the nation. After agreements on the more technical details of integration of these lands, approval was given for the Baleares, Malta, and Madeira to be integrated as provinces of the Northlands on par with current provinces located on the continent. The Faroes and Gibraltar will have their status designated as dependent territory and will receive Northlandic citizenship. The King has made an official announcement confirming the decision of the Northlands Councils and welcoming the new citizens and people of the Northlands. He has directed Officers to begin benefits to these people and the start of construction on new infrastructure and services to these areas.

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National Language Proclamation

 

The official language of the Northlands shall be Nordlandic. Recognized national languages include Dutch and French. All government information, correspondence, and proceedings must automatically be translated and made available in Nordlandic and recognized national languages. 

 

Recognized regional languages include Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, German, Luxembourgish, English, Maltese, Spanish, and Portuguese. Government services in a region may be conducted and provided in recognized languages of that region. 

 

 

Today King William IV has signed and implemented the National Language Proclamation, declaring Nordlandic to be the official language of the Northlands. Nordlandic, once widespread in the region in the past, is spoken by many and understood by most in the older generation, but has not been learned by young citizens since before the days of old Athens.

 

The Northlands government has previously noted the inefficiency of dealing with the numerous regionally spoken languages in the Northlands with no official directives, leading to the widely expected move by the King to institute an encompassing official national language and fix the smorgasboards of regulations that currently exist in the government in regards to translation services for the population. 

 

The proclamation is widely seen as a precedent for the required teaching of Nordlandic in schools across the nation. The recognition of national and regional languages will allow for these languages to receive appropriate government support, however measures are being put in place to revive Nordlandic and speed its prominence in the nation. Students will be expected to learn and display proficiency in Nordlandic in addition to their mother tongue and any other local languages. Nordlandic translators and teachers are in high demand across the nation, and a phased system is to be implemented in regards to requiring Nordlandic to work in the government.  

Edited by Californian
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Faroe Islands Seeks Closer Ties with Iceland

 

With approval from the Northlands central government, it has been confirmed that Faroes natives are eligible to obtain Icelandic citizenship. Currently a dependent territory, the Faroe Islands were approached by Iceland and have engaged in dialogue over the matter noting the extensive relationship that already exists between the two regions. Prime Minister of the Faroes Kaj Leo Johannesen hailed the announcement as a victory for the Faroes and Northlands. "This gives our people more freedom to live how and where we want." he said at an official press conference. "We are currently engaging with both the Northlandic and Icelandic governments to further decrease border controls between our respective nations. Increased trade and tourism will be a direct result of such agreements, and this could prove to be very beneficial for the Norwegian Sea nations."

 

Royal Institute of Engineering 

 

Today King William IV officially inaugurated the Royal Institute of Engineering in Noordenwind. The Institute's campus is located on the outskirts of the city and contains several buildings, dormitories, and offices. Included on the campus is a small, premier engineering college designed to attract the highest caliber engineering and technology students from the Northlands. The college has a royal charter to train the nation's engineers, and tuition grants are available to students in return for service in the Royal Institute of Engineering, Royal Engineering Corps, or Northlands Office of Security. 

 

Besides its commitment to teach and train, the Royal Institute of Engineering is a main employer of public engineers, scientists, and architects for the nation. The Institute receives funding for the research and development of new technologies and public works projects in the Northlands. The Institute is overseen by the Office of Science and Technology, with significant collaboration with other offices under the scope of advanced military, health, and infrastructure developments. King William IV officially appointed Lord Johannes Schimmelpenninck as Director of the Institute and Engineermaster of the Northlands, with both speaking at the inauguration.

 

One of the top priorities for the Institute is the development of a new transportation system for travel within and beyond the state. The high-speed rails from before the Great Reset are all but destroyed. While standard rail has been rebuilt to allow for transport of cargo, the rapid modernization and reurbanization of the region has necessitated the construction of a means for people to move quickly and freely between urban areas. Northlands engineers and transportation officials are moving forward with research on maglev or vacuum loop technologies. 

Edited by Californian
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Portugal Treaty Ratified

 

With the High Council concluding their discussion on approval of the Northlands-Portuguese Treaty, King William IV officially signed the pact today, officially ratifying the agreement and having it transferred to the Royal Archives.

 

Officer Alexandre Lemaitre, head of the Office of Foreign Affairs, hailed the agreement as a "monumental step for the Northlands and the region" noting that several issues including the status of Gibraltar had been formalized. Analysts note that outside of the European Community Security Membership, Portugal has become one of the most reliable partners of the Northlands in Europe. When the Office of Trade and Office of Homeland Affairs implement reforms to comply with the treaty in the upcoming weeks, trade and tourism between the two nations is expected to increase gradually. 

 

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Northlandic Global Trade Corporation Established

 

Today the Office of Trade established the Northlandic Global Trade Corporation (Nordlandic: Globale Handelsgesellschaft Nordlande or GHN) and it has been granted a royal charter by King William IV. The GHN is structured so that the majority of the shares are owned by the government, with the rest publicly traded. Initial funds for the Corporation have been used in part for the acquisition of a large merchant marine fleet to service the different areas of the nation. 

 

One of the main functions of the GHN is to supply various Northlandic territories outside of the mainland with goods and services. The Balleares and Malta provinces are especially lucrative due to their population and high level of development and economic output, and the GHN faces private competition to provide cargo and trade services to these islands. This is true to for Gibraltar and Faroe Islands to a lesser extent. Service to the South Atlantic Dependencies is provided via contracts awarded by the Offices of Security and Homeland Affairs. 

 

 

Royal Academy of Medicine Opens Doors

 

Additionally, today King William IV presided over the inauguration of the Royal Academy of Medicine. With a primary campus in Groningen, close to the capital of Noordenwind, and an auxiliary campus in Antwerp, the Academy has been tasked with the following:

 

A royal charter has been granted to make the academy the premier society for doctors and researchers in the fields of medicine and biological sciences. Being inducted into the Royal Academy is one of the highest honors for scientists in the Northlands and it is considered very prestigious with a selective membership. Inductees are personally awarded by the King and members are eligible for sit on various advisory committees which recommend government policy. 

 

Additionally, the Royal Academy oversees intramural research on both of its campuses, and plays a large role in basic scientific research in the Northlands. A large number of doctors and scientists are employed by the government to conduct this research, and developing new technologies and treatments and understanding disease are key focuses of the institute. The Royal Academy is also responsible for providing and distributing funding and research grants to the numerous hospitals, programs, and institutions conducting medical research in the nation.

 

Finally, as part of its mission the academy operates two research hospitals and often provides experimental treatments for those with no alternative or where conventional treatment has failed. Clinicians work with the academy researchers to more efficiently move potentially groundbreaking advancements in the lab into the hospital room. A small number of doctoral and graduate students are selected to work in these hospitals. Due to its prominence, it is expected that admittance to the academy doctoral program will be extremely selective, admitting only a fraction of the hopeful medical students in a given year. 

 

Sir Francis Ruttenbacher, MD PhD  has been selected as the first Director of the Royal Academy of Medicine. The first class of academy members have been inducted and are a mixture of prominent figures in medical research in the nation. The academy is currently underway in its hiring of researchers and the first year of medical school applications have just been submitted. Ruttenbacher has called this a "historic moment for medical research and advancement" for the nation. In addition to building a strong foundation for the Royal Academy, he has committed to working closely and forming partnerships with other research institutions as well as the private sector. This includes Holland Drug & Pharmaceutics BV, a state-owned company, and large private pharmaceutical companies Lux Beneco, Pacifica Biotechnologies, and Bettel & Sons. 

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Treaty with Iceland Officially Ratified

 

With near unanimous approval from the High Council, King William IV signed the treaty agreement with Iceland today, officially ratifying it in the eyes of the Northlands. The Office of Homeland Affairs immediately began the process of opening the borders between the two nations, and flights originating from Iceland no longer require passports or visas when arriving in the Faroes or Northlands. The Faroe Prime Minister was on the first flight to Reykjavik with the relaxed border controls as a publicity stunt for the success of the negotiations that had taken place. Additionally, a tourism campaign for the Northlands has been purchased in Iceland as a means to promote travel between the two nations in light of the agreement. There was widespread enthusiasm among the general public for the beginning of relations with this peaceful neighbor. 

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The Fall of Italy

 

The collapse of Italy had come as a complete shock to the Northlands. The two nations had been allies and Italy had been a bulwark of democracy and stability in western Europe. All of that had changed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Out of concern for the region and the future of its people, the following actions were immediately undertaken. The Northlands would act to ensure the people could form their own government once more. 

 

Citing the proximity of the Sicilian and Sardinian islands to the Northlands, peacekeepers would be immediately dispatched to these lands to perform the standard functions of maintaining order and governance for these peoples, preventing any anarchy or disruption such a void in leadership could bring about. From Mallorca, 2,000 quick response troops would be ordered to Sardinia and 3,000 to Sicily. They would first secure the larger cities of Palermo, Catania, Messina, and Cagliari, setting up base of operations. A message would be sent to Serbia noting their intention to protect the Italian peninsula and providing notification of Northlandic movements in the region. Northlands men would not be dispatched to the peninsula, though the offer of assistance would be made to the Serbian government to help oversee the region as a protectorate.

 

Resurrection of the Atlantic

 

The islands of St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and Ascension have voted to designate their statuses as dependent territories within the Northlands, in line with the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar. For the time being each island is administered separately within the Office of Homeland Affairs, however representatives from each island are in discussions on the possibility of forming on amalgamated territory. The geographical isolation of these islands continues to prove bothersome during these negotiations, with the people of each island focusing almost entirely on their local communities with little care for other islands or mainland oversight.

 

Decades ago these islands were uninhabited, with vegetation overtaking many of the buildings of the populations that had once lived there. More recently the Vatican state had instituted a policy of promoting settling of the islands, which led to the majority of the people currently living on them. Additionally, small numbers of Northlandic military and government officials can be found. St. Helena has the highest population, of approximately 10,000 people, followed by Ascension with 4,000 and Tristan da Cunha with 1,000. One interesting relic from the days of the Vatican is the wide range of languages and cultures found on each islands due to the varying regions that took advantage of the Vatican settling programs. The main language of St. Helena is Italian, while Catalan is most frequently heard on Tristan da Cunha. In Ascension, Spanish and Italian are the most spoken languages. 

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Collapse of Portugal

 

In the span of months the maps of Europe had been redrawn. The final nail had been hammered with the collapse of Portugal, one of the longest standing and most peaceful nations on the continent. Like Italy before it, the government of Portugal had given no indication of instability and its undoing had come as a shock to the Northlands. With the reports of its collapse had come news of Carthaginian movements to secure the peninsula and establish a protectorate. While war was brewing in the east, the Northlands would do what it could to assist with efforts to secure the lands of one of its closest allies in Europe. 

 

A small force of 200 men would be deployed to the Azores along with a much larger contingent of bureaucrats and government administrators to secure the islands as a protectorate for the time being. The Azores, once a part of the Northlands, would find little change in the day-to-day operations of the region. Carthage would be notified of this development as well as a pledge of Northlandic support for peacekeeping efforts in former Portugal.

 

With the collapse of Portugal, the treaty stipulations regarding Gibraltar would be voided and it would once again be a fully dependent territory of the Northlands. The Portugese naval vessels currently at port would be secured by Northlandic forces for the time being, their future dependent on what happened on the mainland. 

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Free German Protectorate Proclaimed

 

News of the agreement had rapidly spread across the region and nation. Reactions to it, particularly in the new Free German Protectorate (FGP), were mixed and varied wildly throughout the territory. Those in the western FGP, especially the Rhineland and Saarland, had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the cessation of hostilities. These areas had been the least affected and involved in the conflict of Alvonia and viewed its continuation as increasing the risk of escalating to their cities and towns. These pleas for peace had been amplified by the business and government sectors. Brandenburg had not done much to revive the business and industries that had made these regions powerhouses in decades past, and many were eager to pursue a more aggressive policy of reindustrialization. With the border between the FGP and Northlands proper becoming more open, business owners in western Germany were eager to take advantage of the money and investments the Northlandic firms were beginning to pour into the region. A large population combined with a solid foundation for growth and advancement made this area a very fertile ground for new industry and business in the region, and closer ties with the Northlands and peace with Alvonia would only accelerate that. Additionally, the Bureau of Intelligence & Operations had been very successful in their covert campaign to instill pro-Northlandic sentiment into the populace and local leaders. In larger cities like Saarbrucken, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Bonn, overwhelmingly pro-Northlandic governments had been elected to office, who had advocated for peace and closer ties with the Northlands.

 

This was in sharp contrast to the eastern reaches of the FGP. Especially in Northlandic controlled Mecklenburg-Verpommern, public opinion was extremely negative, accusing the Northlands of selling out their state. Schwerin was the site of massive protests by both residents and refugees that had arrived in the area protesting the peace agreement. It was estimated to have over 50,000 people in attendance and Northlandic troops were ordered to maintain the peace. Over two dozen protesters and three soldiers were injured in clashes. The main square in the city remains occupied by protesters with an uneasy peace between the troops in the area. In contrast to their western counterparts, Mecklenburg-Verpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin, and Saxony have been placed under direct Northlandic authority with curfews enforced and government officials appointed for the time being. 

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The Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate regions continue to pursue closer relations with the Northlands. Parliaments in the Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate have passed legislation to have Northlands provide for their defense. As a constituent of the Free German Protectorate, all German states are under the umbrella of Northlandic stewardship, but this legislation officially designates the Northlands as the sole military force for defense in these regions. 

 

The Council of the People in the Northlands is currently discussing the creation of a German Development Fund for these three states to provide money and support for their economies. On the matter of the German protectorate, a top priority has been redeveloping the extensive industries that once existed in the west, especially in the Rhineland-Westphalia, and this fund is seen as a way to help promote this. 

 

The states of Lower Saxony, Hesse, Bremen, and Hamburg have expressed interests in participating in the development fund. Talks between these states and the Northlands central government are underway although both sides are optimistic that an agreement can be reached. "The Northlands stands to benefit from stronger economic and public opinion ties the more money and support that is provided to these regions," an official was quoted as saying. 

 

[2/7: Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate]

[1/7: Hesse, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg]

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Discussions Continue With Western Germany

 

After a meeting with representatives from the seven German states expressing interest, the Northlands government has agreed to establish the Kredianstalt Fur Wiederaufbau (KfW, Reconstruction Credit Institute) for Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, and any other German states that choose to join in the future. As part of the deal, $500M in grant funding and $200M in favorable loans are to be distributed in the next two years by the KfW for infrastructure purchases and small to medium businesses in Germany. A further $1B is to be put into the bank, and used to fund further investments in the future. This has been hailed as a monumental joint partnership between the Northlandic and German people. 

 

The Saarland, perhaps the most pro-Northlands state in the protectorate, has called for a statewide vote on joining the Northlands. Citing proximity to Alvonia and France, and close ties with the Northlands, the state legislature overwhelmingly called for the vote, with both proponents and opponents gearing up to begin campaigning.

 

The Rhineland-Palatinate has introduced a bill similar to that passed by the Saarland to have a similar vote. Citing the influx of Northlands funds and businesses being established in the region as well as positive pro-Northlands sentiment, one officials was quoted saying "Brandenburg and a separate German state have failed us time and time again. Our people want to be able to live, eat, and sleep without fear of our government suddenly collapsing."

 

Rhineland-Westphalia has focused on enticing Northlandic business ventures in the state. The Dusseldorf region has seen a spike in joint ventures with Northlands companies and funding especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals, resource extraction, and technology.

 

The state government of Hesse has endorsed an agreement with the Northlands for the emplacement of soldiers at the border with Alvonia. The bases being constructed will be built using Northlands funds which will also be used on local infrastructure including roads at checkpoints.

 

Officials from the Northlands and KfW are visiting Bremen to discuss the status of the Bremerhaven Port. The facilities were sorely underfunded during governance by Brandenburg and Bremen is seeking funds to restore the port's container capacity and access. The port infrastructure has been deemed crucial for the economic development of Germany.

 

The port facilities in Williamshaven in Lower Saxony are likewise being evaluated by government officials and engineers. Due to its status as the only deep sea port in Germany, there is significant interest in its development including oil/gas transport. The construction of an LNG storage facility is being considered as a joint venture between the city, state, and Northlandic-backed Free German Protectorate government. Additionally, Northlands officials are evaluating the port for use as a naval base.

 

The same situation is occurring in Hamburg, where the port and airport are in slightly better condition. It is envisioned that Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Williamshaven will serve as main ports for commerce on the German North Sea coast. 

 

 

 

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Elections in Western Germany

 

Today officials from the states of Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg met to decide whether to hold a region wide referendum on incorporation into the Northlands. The meeting, pushed by representatives from Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, resulted in a decisive majority voting yes to host the referendum within the next three weeks. Preparations are underway to setup voter registration in these areas and the regional governments have started 'spread the word' campaigns to encourage voter participation. The governments in Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bremen, and Hamburg have elected to promote official 'Vote YES' campaigns while the other regions are remaining publicly neutral. 

 

While the Northlands has been kept abreast of these developments and has been working closely with the regional governments in the protectorate, the matter of whether such a request for incorporation, after receiving a majority of votes, could or should be accepted by the Northlands has been hotly debated. Many note the Northlands has foregone territorial acquisitions except for several island provinces throughout its history, and that the annexation or union of the German states would fundamentally alter the nation. The population of the German states in question is roughly equal to the entire population of the Northlands, prompting questions about how such an arrangement would work. 

 

A legislative sessions has been called in the capital of Noordenwind for both the Council of the People and High Council to discuss the matter. Additionally, the King has privately summoned his advisers and ministers for consultations. No statement from the government has yet been provided. Protests have sprung up throughout the Northlands both for and against the German vote, although all protests have been peaceful. 

 

Royal Engineers have been dispatched to Rhineland - Westphalia for preliminary discussions on the issue of high speed transit in the area. With business beginning to surge in the region, the construction of reliable high speed mass transportation has become a topic of discussion in order to promote a competitive, friendly business and industry environment. 

 

Lower Saxony has voted to accept a formal military agreement with the Northlands, permitting the usage of Williamshaven as a major naval base. The Northlands plans to use the deep water port as a major base for its naval vessels in the North Sea. Officials in the area are working out the details for such a facility, though its hoped its construction and continued operation will be a boon for the area, pumping in money to stimulate the economy.

 

Another military agreement has been signed between Northlands proper and Hesse for the construction of a military base and the deployment of medium range ballistic missiles in the area. The missiles are to act as a deterrent to an attack on the German protectorate, particularly in light of the recent violence and nuclear strikes in central Europe. 

 

The Rhineland-Palatinate has agreed to an agreement for the deployment of Northlands soldiers at the border between Germany and Alvonia. The agreement mirrors the one instituted in Hesse and similar means of border defense are to be constructed. Additionally, money has been earmarked from the Northlands and local taxes for the improvement of local infrastructure including roadways and airports.

 

The status of Hamburg, Bremen, and Saarland as states with smaller population and land area have prompted informal discussions between the three, outside of the election gathering, on their future as it relates to the other German states and the Northlands. These areas are decidedly pro-Northlands and could theoretically have quicker integration into the Northlands as new provinces. Also, unlike the other states which can use reconstruction funds for massive infrastructure projects, the limited area and scope of these states limits the need for new roadways or airports. Officials are working with the KfW to discuss the best use of funds in these regions, and how these states would fit into the greater West Germany/Northlands framework.

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Union to Move Forward

 

The joint session of legislature produced hours of heated discussion and debate in the Northlands. First Minister Cristiaan van Leeuwenhoek refused to dismiss the legislators until a decision had been voted and agreed upon. Shortly after 3am, the High Council drafted a resolution which had enough support to pass the Council of the People, officially bringing it to the office of the King for his signature. 

 

Those in favor of incorporation of the German states listed a multitude of reasons. There appeared to be widespread pro-Northlands sentiment in the regions holding the referendum, and the politicians argued that they should respect the will of the people, especially when they had been subject to several failed states over the past few years. While this argument would appeal to the masses, a stronger point was the economic benefits derived from such an annexation. Having been ham-stringed by ineffective and collapsed regimes, the productivity of the German lands was only just beginning to grow with the influx of aid and investment. The German states had the population, geography, and desire to be an economic powerhouse if they had the resources and capital to do so. Under stable governance it was assumed these states would greatly increase the economic capabilities of the Northlands. 

 

Those opposed noted that Europe was still unstable, especially in light of the recent nuclear war, and the the nation should focus on itself. However, the opposition was eventually swayed with the guarantee that the Northlands would not incorporate further continental lands outside of German territory unless a nation wide referendum was held. 

 

[Private]

 

While the debates in the legislature were the most visible sign of the issue, it was largely symbolic. The real power brokering for any agreement was occuring simultaneously in the King's Palace, where the advisers, ministers, and King had been secretly meeting to discuss the logistics and contingencies for any such agreement. Here the main concern was whether the new states could be as effectively integrated and brought under central rule. While the large population in the German states may prove economically beneficial, it was seen as a possible concern for internal state security. A federal structure or any power sharing agreement with local government increased the possibility of discontent within the state. Thus it was agreed that any incorporated states would be equal in status to the current provinces, with division of the German states if necessary. While Northlandic provinces had some limited powers, the true authority was invested in the monarchy and the bureaucracy it propagated. 

 

The King would sign the resolution the next day, saying that "the Northlands now waited to greet our German brothers with open arms." All across western Germany polling stations were being setup, with the referendum now only days away. The vote is to be held on a Tuesday which has been declared a protectorate wide holiday with stations open all day. The people of Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg would have the opportunity to vote. The people of Mecklenburg would not be permitted to vote. Rather, as that region was under direct occupation, it was decided that it would be annexed if a majority of the western German states voted for incorporation. 

 

Votes would be counted and announced in the following locations. In Saarland, this would be in Saarbrucken. For Rhineland-Westphalia it would be Bonn. For Rhineland-Palatinate it would be Mainz. For Hesse it would Frankfurt. For Lower Saxony it would be Williamshaven. Bremen and Hamburg would announce the results in their respective cities. In Mecklenburg, the announcement of the referendum would be displayed on screens in the main city squares. A new era for Germany was about to begin. 

 

 

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Confidential
 
A message would be delivered to the Northlandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

To King William IV of the Northlands,
 
In light of recent developments, we have found that it may be benefitial for both our nations, to seek closer ties with each other and to look for closer cooperation in areas of trade and security. Romanian interests increasingly are no longer confined to Eastern Europe alone and it thus seems to us, that it would be only appropriate to seek partnerships outside this region, to address in a constructive and cooperative relationship to overcome certain new challenges that come with these new developments.
 
We thus invite you or a befitting representative of your person, to meet us in idyllic Peleș Castle, for a cup of tea and nice conversation on these matters. It would be an honour for us, should you accept.
 
With regards,
Maria I de România

Queen of the Romanians

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Private Reply to Romania

 

Queen Maria I of Romania, 

 

The Northlands is supportive of endeavors to promote friendly ties with other European nations. I accept your invitation and look forward to meeting with you. 

 

Respectfully,

King William IV

 

 

OOC: Let's make a separate thread for this.

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Poll Results Announced

 

The official results were announced within 48 hours of the polls closing. All across the region officials worked tirelessly to validate the results. The question asked on the ballot was "Should X state be incorporated into the Northlands?" All seven states passed a majority "YES" vote, with support strongest in the Saarland and Bremen as expected. With these results certified, the local governments of these states have formally petitioned to become part of the Northlands.

 

In Rhineland-Westphalia the results were the following:

55% YES

45% NO

 

In Rhineland-Palatinate the results were the following:

61% YES

39% NO

 

In Saarland the results were the following:

84% YES

16% NO

 

In Lower Saxony the results were the following:

64% YES

36% NO

 

In Bremen the results were the following:

91% YES

9% NO

 

In Hesse the results were the following:

58% YES

42% NO

 

In Hamburg the results were the following:

77% YES

23% NO

 

Reaction to the results was mixed in Mecklenburg. The majority continue to harbor some resentment for the Brandenburg War but there is a degree of optimism and hopefulness that many have with such a strong backing of support from their countrymen in the west.

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Integration of German States

 

gnc.jpg

Ceremony at Royal Palace after announcement of referendum results.

 

Following the positive referendum, the Northlands has announced its acceptance of the results and its intent to begin the process of incorporating the regions of Saarland, Rhineland-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg into the continental Northlands. The Office of Homeland Affairs has created the temporary Department of German Integration to assume responsibility for this massive undertaking. Tasks of the department include setting up government services in the regions, aligning and integrating local government in accordance with current practices, and working with the Office of Security to provide and introduce military services. Working with local authorities, the integration of the German states will be as the following provinces:

 

Saarland will become the Saarland province with a population of 1,018,000. The capital will be Saarbrucken. 

 

Bremen will become the Bremen province with a population of 661,000. The capital will be Bremen.

 

Hamburg will become the Hamburg province with a population of 1,751,775. The capital will be Hamburg.

 

Hesse will become the Hesse-Nassau province with a population of 1,201,823 and capital in Kassel, Upper Hesse province with a population of 1,023,277 and capital in Giessen, and Starkenburg province with a population of 3,791,381 and capital in Darmstadt. 

 

Rhineland-Westphalia will become the Rhineland province with a population of 9,229,314 and capital in Bonn, Westphalia province with a population of 6,131,941 and capital in Munster and Lippe province with a population of 2,070,000 and capital in Detmold.

 

Rhineland-Palatinate will become the Koblenz province with a population of 1,524,695 and capital in Koblenz, Rhineland-Trier province with a population of 512,990 and capital in Trier, and Rhenish Palatinate province, with a population of 2,011,381 and capital in Neustadt an der Haardt.

 

Northlandic controlled Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will become Mecklenburg province with a population of 536,438 and capital in Schwerin. 

Edited by Californian
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