[Norway]: Message for the Netherlands

[Zak]

Kingdom of Norway
Security Classification: ENCRYPTED​

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Dearest Prime Minister Wim Kok,

I would like to offer my congratulations, not only on behalf of my government but from Norway as a whole. Denmark and The Netherlands are two historical countries sharing a strong bond. The historical ties between Norway and the Netherlands date all the way back to the Viking age when Scandinavian Vikings sailed along the rivers into the Netherlands to trade and pillage. Our two countries enjoy close ties through trade, culture, and politics. Norway and the Netherlands are like-minded on several issues such as human rights, security and development, which means we often act in concert internationally.

I look forward hearing from you soon and I look forward to meeting you soon.


Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister of Norway

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Tim

 

[Tim]

PRIME MINISTER​

Recipient Subject Security

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg < Zak >​ RE: Message for the Netherlands​ PRIVATE​

Dear Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg,

Let me start of by thanking you for your congratulations. I am very proud that we were able to form a government so quick, yet still so capable of managing our country in the current situation. This strong historical bond between our countries is one we cherish, and we wish to work closely together with countries in Europe and abroad who share similar values to ours.

In regards to this working together, one of the our current focusses is establishing a large trade network by establishing trade routes between different countries. This is something I would gladly discuss with you so we can see if a possible mutually beneficial trade route is possible. Another topic I would like to discuss is the possibility of purchasing the Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) from your government. If you would like to discuss these topics in writing please let me know what goods Norway would be interested in importing and exporting, and if the acquisition of NASAMS is possible. If you would rather discuss these topics over a call my office can be called at +31 70 356 41 00.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

​

Wim Kok​

​

Prime Minister​

Minister of General Affairs​

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[Zak]

With a reply from the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, the Prime Minister of Norway would dial the number given to him by his Dutch counterpart on an encrypted line and would await a response.

Tim

 

[Tim]

The number would be recognized as a Norwegian phone number and the call manager had been informed that the Norwegian Prime Minister might call, so she picked up the phone. "Good afternoon, Prime Minister Stoltenberg?" upon confirmation the call was redirected to Wim Kok's phone in het Torentje, the office of the Dutch Prime Minister


Wim Kok answering the phone in his office

"Good afternoon Mr Stoltenberg, it's a pleasure to speak with you for the first time as Prime Ministers of two countries that are so close, both geographically and in our values and goals."

Zak

 

[Zak]

"Prime Minister Kok, a pleasure to speak to you and I hope all is well in the Netherlands and I hope the transition period from the previous government to your current government is going well. I would also like to see a trade route opening between our two countries as we seek to further develop our countries. Do you have anything in mind Prime Minister?"

Tim

 

[Tim]

"Everything is going very smoothly, our ministers are getting settled and working together with previous ministers were a more complicated transition is needed, but that is all going well. For myself I am very well settled in the Ministry of General Affairs now so I can get to work, including of course this call. Ah yes, the trade deal." He looked through his stack of paper and found the memo he had received. "Someone from our trade department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs put together a proposal, however this is of course subject to change depending on the wishes of your government. I'll fax the full details over, but I can tell you the short version. It would be an exchange of Norwegian Petroleum and Fish for Dutch Food and Livestock, Manufactured goods, and Flowers." As he spoke the full file would be faxed over to the Norwegian's office. "This would result in a 500,000 net tariff due to Norway, but with the scale of the trade deal we are hoping to settle this with a free trade agreement. Of course anything can be changed, but this is just our first proposal."

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TRADE PROPOSAL NORWAY
IMPORT Petroleum and Petroleum Products $8,000,000.00
IMPORT Fish $6,000,000.00
EXPORT Food and Livestock $3,500,000.00
EXPORT Manufactured goods $4,000,000.00
EXPORT Flowers $2,000,000.00
EXPORT Chemicals $4,500,000.00
TOTAL IMPORT $14,000,000.00
TOTAL EXPORT $14,000,000.00

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Zak

 

[Zak]

"This is something we can agree with, do you have a port that you would want us to import our petroleum products into? I believe that we can export other products into the Netherlands through the Norwegian Cargo Administration via Amsterdam Airport if this is something that you can work with Prime Minister?"

Tim

 

[Tim]

"The Port of Rotterdam is able to take on the petroleum products. As for the other products a frequent cargo flight could carry the rest of the products but these are also able to be shipped which would allow for a bit slower frequency, but with a larger quantity which might reduce costs. I'm not exactly sure how the difference in costs related to time and travel is between ships and airplanes, but we are open to entertaining both possibilities. Does your government have a firm preference for either?"

Zak

 

[Zak]

"Whatever works best for you Prime Minister, we can work around you. The newly appointed Norwegian Cargo Administration will be dealing with exports and imports from both sides and we're in the market for cargo vessels and aircraft to begin operations as soon as possible."

Tim

 

[Tim]

"For simplicity sake we are trying to keep our official government import and exports through as few locations as possible so a cargo line would be preferred. One tanker could handle the petroleum, another tanker the chemicals and one container ship could carry the other goods in containers. That way we minimize the amount of different routes needed.

As for the specifics, we would be able to acquire the container ship for the solid goods and the two tankers. Which Norwegian port would deliver the petroleum and fish respectively? And where would your administration like to receive the chemicals and flowers, food and livestock, and manufactured goods? And what interval of travel is preferred by your government?"

Zak

 

[Zak]

"This is fine on our behalf. The Port of Oslo will be welcoming to your ship crews and vessels, I'm sure that Norwegian businesses and residents will welcome this deal as the Netherlands is a global player in the markets that you are providing to the Norwegian people and I'm sure this deal will lead onto many more during our tenures as Prime Minister and for many governments to come."

Tim

 

[Tim]

"All right, I'll send the details to the ministires so they can inform the international trade authorities and we can get the export started. One last thing was the intervel, do we want a weekly back and forth shipment or more or less frequent?" The Prime Minister had checked all the exports as the deal had been accepted by the Norwegians, he had added notes including: Dutch ships. Rotterdam - Oslo. Interval?

"I share your sentiment. This trade deal lays a foundation for our governmental cooperation. Are there any other topics of cooperation you wish to discuss now?"

Zak