All hail the Union

[Centurius]

After much speculation an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs finally arrived at the press office of the former building of the Mediterranean Parliament, backed by officials from New Spain and Aremor it would be clear to everyone that something big was to be announced.

"Several decades ago a great organization was founded in this very place, while it has since then seen its end the basic ideals remain. It is with these ideals that the Athenian Federation, New Spain and Republic of Aremor have managed to decide on a new bloc of states, the Union. May it stand for all eternity."

[quote][b][color="#4169E1"][size="5"][center]Charter of the Union[/center][/size][/color][/b]

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Preamble:[/size][/color]
We, the nations of the Union(hereafter known as the signatories) declare the creation of the Union on this 14th of January 2056. The Union shall be a shining light to lead its members to prosperity and security.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter I – Sovereignty[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] The signatories recognize the sovereignty of the Union and its members to stand above all.
[b]2.[/b] Under no circumstance may a member of the Union violate the sovereignty of another or the Union at large, such violations include but are not limited to military operations, espionage or economic sanctions.
[b]3. [/b]Likewise providing support to a third party in any of the violations meant in chapter 1, article 2 is considered equal to an action committed by the supporting signatory.
[b]4. [/b]Actions and resolutions by the Union shall not violate the established laws of signatories.
[b]5.[/b] Under no circumstance shall a treaty be allowed to excuse a member of the Union from violating this chapter.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter II – The Grand Council[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] The Grand Council shall be the legislative body of the Union, each signatory shall be allowed to send two members to represent their interests at the Grand Council.
[b]2. [/b]The Grand Council shall rule on all matters concerning the Union.
[b]3.[/b] The Grand Council shall not be able to rule on the internal or external affairs of the signatories, it serves strictly for matters concerning the Union.
[b]4.[/b] Unless specified otherwise all resolutions by the Grand Council shall require a majority of 50%+1 vote.
[b]5.[/b] Councilors shall be granted 72 hours to submit their vote before their vote is considered to be an abstention.
[b]6.[/b] The Grand Council shall annually elect a councilor among its ranks to serve as the speaker. The speaker shall be the formal spokesperson for the Union.
[b]7.[/b] The Grand Council shall be able to remove any Union Official through a vote of no confidence, including but not limited to the Speaker, the director of the Union Central Bank or a military commander serving under the Union banner.
[b]8.[/b] The Grand Council shall be located in the headquarters of the Union in Athens.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter III – Membership[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] New members for the full charter may be nominated by an existing signatory, for a new member to be allowed under this article unanimity in the Grand Council shall be required.
[b]2.[/b] New members for the fourth chapter may apply for membership in the Grand Council. Admission under this clause shall require a normal majority as outlined in the second chapter. Members under this clause may send an observer to the Grand Council however can not vote in it.
[b]3.[/b] Each signatory can begin an expulsion procedure against another, such a procedure shall require unanimity in the Grand Council. Councilors of the nation affected by the expulsion procedure shall not be allowed to vote.
[b]4.[/b] Violation of chapter 1 shall be cause for immediate expulsion, such an expulsion shall only require a councilor to formalize it.
[b]5.[/b] Any signatory may leave the Union, such a departure shall require 72 hours notice after which it is no longer bound or protected by chapter 5. After another 14 days it will no longer be bound by or enjoy the remaining chapters.
[b]6.[/b] Should a member of the Union lose a functioning government it shall be the duty of the remaining signatories to take action for the protection of the affected region.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter IV – Economic Affairs[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] Signatories shall remove any and all barriers for free trade and flow of capital, good and services between its members to promote economic cooperation.
[b]2.[/b] The Union Central Bank shall be tasked with maintaining the economic and financial stability of the signatories. The Union Central Bank shall be headed by a director chosen by the Grand Council and be subject to a mandate from the Grand Council.
[b]3.[/b] Contributions to the financial reserves of the Union Central Bank shall be proportional to the economic states of the signatories. A signatory with a weaker economy shall have to contribute less than signatories with stronger economies.
[b]4.[/b] Signatories shall implement the Union Standard as an officially recognized currency. Exchange rates for the Union Standard shall be calculated annually. The Union Standard shall be produced and regulated by the Union Central Bank.
[b]5.[/b] The Union Central Bank shall be located in Mexico City.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter V – Military Affairs[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] Should a signatory come under attack it is the duty of all signatories to guarantee defense. Defensive action is requested by the signatory in the Grand Assembly.
[b]2.[/b] The Union can participate in an aggressive attack under the Union banner if a vote to do passes with unanimity. If a vote does not pass each member may individually and under their own banner provide optional assistance.
[b]3.[/b] An attack as intended in chapter 5, article 1 caused by military action by the attacked signatory shall be considered equal to an aggressive attack and as such not be subject to protection from aforementioned article.
[b]4.[/b] In joint operations under the Union banner the Grand Assembly shall elect a military commander to lead the forces for the duration of the operation. Such a commander shall stand above all others in the chain of command.
[b]5.[/b] The headquarters of the Union’s military department shall be located in Tangier.
[b]6.[/b] The Union’s Military Liaison Office shall be located in the headquarters of the Union.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter VI – Intelligence[/size][/color]
[b]1.[/b] Should information vital to that of another signatory be obtained it is the obligation of those that have said information to share it. Such information includes but is not limited to terrorists, invasion plans, espionage and others similar.
[b]2.[/b] Signatories shall link intelligence gathering mechanisms and organizations to increase the combined efficiency.

[color="#4169E1"][size="2"]Chapter VII – Amendments[/size][/color]
This charter may be amended by a motion introduced into the Grand Council, an amendment shall require unanimity.

Signed for the [b]Athenian Federation[/b],
Her Imperial Highness Ariadne Notaras of Heraclius, Empress of the Eastern Athenian Federation and her overseas territories, Lady Protector of the Delian League, Supreme Commander of the Hellenic Forces, Priestess of the Cult of Athena, Speaker of Zeus, Incarnate of Athena, Heroine of the revolution.
His Imperial Highness Valerio Moretti of Bourbon, Emperor of the Western Athenian Federation, Lord Protector of the Delian League, Supreme Commander of the Hellenic Forces, Hero of the revolution.
His Serene Highness Alexandre Grimaldi I, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Emperor Consort of the Eastern Athenian Federation.

Signed for [b]New Spain[/b],
King Enrique Bourbon I of New Spain

Signed for the [b]Republic of Aremor[/b],
Prime Minister Willam Neugand
Vachel Joly, Diplomat-Commander assigned to Union Representation
Marghub Saliba, Sergeant-Diplomat assigned to Union Representation
[/quote]

Edited January 14, 2012 by Centurius

[Owned-You]

News of the Union would be hailed throughout New Spain as a day of triumph and celebration. Streets would run red with wine and salsa; or was it blood? Who could say for sure... but undoubtedly this event was being celebrated far and wide within New Spain. King Enrique would affirm his commitment to this new Supernational Union with the following statement.

[i]"In a world where many states subscribe to political unilateralism with no regard for the affairs of their nations, allies, or neighbors. We wish to usher in an age of logic and cooperation. May the Union bring peace and prosperity to all whom call us friends and may our enemies be driven before us. But above all, may the Union prosper for an eternity."[/i]

- King Enrique Bourbon I