[POR - GER - FRA] Diplomatic Meeting between Germany and France

[Bruno]

In preparation for the diplomatic meeting in Braga, meticulous operational arrangements have been made to ensure security and confidentiality. The town hall in Braga have been designated to host the leadership of Germany and France. The Portuguese Department of State has generated detailed documents, plans, and proposals to facilitate the diplomatic discussions. At Porto Airport, a specific runway has been cleared for the arrival of the leadership, executed with strict operational security measures to maintain secrecy. Four F-16 fighter jets from the 202-Squadron are armed with a specific loadout, including 4 x AIM-120 missiles, 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, an internal M61 Vulcan cannon (511 to 578 rounds of 20mm ammunition), 1 x ECM pod, and integrated chaff and flare dispensers for defensive countermeasures. These assets are positioned to provide security upon the detection of the leadership's aircraft over Spanish airspace by Portuguese Military Radars. Upon confirmation of the leadership's presence, the F-16s will intercept and escort them within Portuguese airspace. Simultaneously, the diplomatic core, strategically positioned within the group, will coordinate the seamless transition of the leadership to Braga. VIP convoys, supported by police and Secret Service agents, will execute a secure route to ensure the leaders' safe arrival at the designated meeting location. All was ready to receive just high esteemed guests.

Jay Alexander

 

[Jay]

It was mid morning in Stuttgart. The sun was bearing overhead at German engineers did their final maintenance check on the Polish supplied Mig-29s. They were in working order and well maintained. German MiG-29 pilots revised the flight plan and made sure they were well aware of the potential risks.

The MiG-29s would be armed with four R-73 AAMs. They would also carry external fuel pods to give them full range to Portugal. Alongside the two MiG-29s escorting the Chancellor four others would be on standby should they need to rapidly interdict. These MiG-29s would be armed with two R-73s and two KEPF 350s.

With the escort planes briefed the airmen waited for the Chancellor's Airbus A340 to arrive at Stuttgart Airport where they would leave along with the Chancellor. The Chancellor had finished an interview with the Polish PPA before boarding her Airbus A340 which included countermeasures for surface to air or air to air missiles. With the Foreign Minister designated Vice Chancellor and given authority should anything happen the Chancellor set off for Portugal.

Departing Stuttgart the aircrafts having previously supplied their twenty-four hour notice would enter French Airspace. They would follow the following path.

Upon exiting French airspace there would be more ease as the remaining MiG-29s on standby returned to their bases to refuel and end their mission. Closing in around Portuguese Air Space the Airbus A340 would confirm with air traffic its path and would be joined by Portuguese F-16s. The MiG-29 pilots would wave their wings at their F-16 counter parts in a hello.

The German Delegation seeking to avoid too much attention would first land the Airbus A340 and once the Chancellor was already on her way to Braga the MiG-29s would land to be refueled. The Chancellor road in her motorcade towards Braga and was handled several files to read upon before arriving.

The MiG-29s were in no way to be inspected by their Portuguese counterparts excluding the refueling of the jets. A German Air Force engineering team would be on the tarmac to do checks and inspect the aircrafts as necessary. They would ensure the aircrafts would be ready to fly again as soon as possible should the Chancellor require it.

In Braga the unmarked motorcade would whizz towards the town hall. The professionalism of the Portuguese could not be understated as they were able to integrated the BKA into their operation efficiently. Arriving at Braga the Chancellor adjusted herself and prepared to walk inside.

Alexander Bruno

 

[Bruno]

Upon entering Portuguese airspace, the 4x F-16 Block 50 aircraft would coordinate with the German pilots to position themselves on either side of their formation. Following standard protocol, the F-16s would perform a wing wave and salute to acknowledge the MiG-29s, signifying a formal welcome. They would continue to accompany the German aircraft to the airport, maintaining a safe and controlled flight formation. Once on the ground, the Portuguese F-16s would return to base, prepared for the subsequent escort mission for the French Delegation. During the refueling process, the Portuguese teams would observe that the MiG-29s were armed, an aspect that ideally should have been communicated in advance for situational awareness. This observation would be treated as an internal matter at this point.

Without delay, the VIP convoy would discreetly and securely transport the German Delegation, alongside their protection detail, to Braga—an hour away from the airport. A dedicated communication channel would be established between the Portuguese Secret Service and the German Protection Detail, ensuring effective coordination for operational efficiency during their stay. This pragmatic approach seeks to optimize security measures and logistical aspects, prioritizing the seamless execution of the

Jay Alexander

 

[Alexander]

Well aware that transponder information was publicly available on the internet which ruled out use of the government A380s for secret travel and that airports were filled with cameras since the smartphone revolution which ruled out use of commercial flights, an in between was found in the form of chartering a jet. That way the Prime Minister could still travel privately without the entire internet knowing that she had flown to the same location as the German Chancellor. As such an A350 chartered from Airbus' executive travel business would fly with the Prime Minister and her staff as well as Azure Guard aboard.

Upon landing the Prime Minister would step into the armoured Peugeot 607 Paladine that had flown ahead while her staff entered other vehicles and the Azure Guard would coordinate with their Portuguese counterparts to travel to the conference location.

Bruno Jay

 

[Bruno]

Without delay, the VIP convoy would discreetly and securely transport the French Delegation, alongside their protection detail, to Braga—an hour away from the airport. A dedicated communication channel would be established between the Portuguese Secret Service and the French Protection Detail if any were present, ensuring effective coordination for operational efficiency during their stay. This pragmatic approach seeks to optimize security measures and logistical aspects, prioritizing the seamless execution of the operation.

Once in Braga, the convoy would reach the Town Hall, during the cover of the night and under the summer rain. All the delegation would be invited in. They would be escorted, seemly, through the halls, separated from eachother, until they had reached the main meeting room of the Town Hall. The Secretary of State would greet both delegation as they would be sat down.

The Town Hall would be secured with around 50 Diplomatic Guard, armed with Glock 17 Gen 5 FS and Heckler & Koch HK416 A5. They would have open communications with the German Detail and the French Detail.

As they sat down on the table, the Portuguese Secretary would begin. There would be water bottles and wine on the table encase any of them would want.

"I firstly want to thank both of your nations for giving peace a change. Now if both parties could explain their view of the situation, it would do wonder, without interruptions and in a civil discussion. As for both nations to understand the others' perspective, and then possibly reach an agreement that both will be happy with"

Jay Alexander

 

[Alexander]

Marie nodded at the Portuguese Secretary.

"Thank you, first of all I wish to thank our Portuguese hosts for their hospitality and willingness to act in this matter. The Empire of France has long been committed to peace in Europe, the appearance of an ultranationalist government in Germany that in its first move desired to remove one of the few safeguards present in their constitution and whose party members have in recent times called for measures targeting Islamic and Jewish communities were cause for immediate concern and a painful reminder of a time in the past when similar moves remained unchecked by the European community and what resulted from that. My Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs then sought to receive clarity on these concerns but the response that they received on their inquiry provided everything but confidence in Germany's peaceful intentions. This was cause for the Empress to take steps to protect the French state through one of the lightest tools available, sanctions" She began, outlining the French reasoning prior and during the implementation of the sanctions regime.

Bruno Jay

 

[Jay]

Chancellor Schreiber drank from the sparkling water in front of her as she listened to the Secretary of State's opening remarks. Once he had finished, she put down her ear piece which had been translating for her and spoke. But before she could speak the French Prime Minister would start her statement. Putting back her ear piece and listening to the translation.

"Thank Secretary. Firstly, thank you to Portugal and His Excellencies Government for offering to mediate between Germany and France. It was a necessary step which we are most appreciative of." She paused as she looked down at her notepad and saw her scribbles one last time.

"For the Federal Republic of Germany I believe that it must be clear, as a matter of fact, not perspective, that the current crisis rests on France's actions to initiate sanctions targeting Germany. While I welcome, following serious pressure, regional condemnation, and a recognition from France's own private sector that the sanctions were wrong, that France backtracked on several of them, it is important to note that France continues to impose travel and asset sanctions against the German Government.

No nation has a right to interfere in Germany's affairs. When France initially inquired about the situation in Germany it did so under the guise it has a direct role in Germany's affairs through its status as a former occupying power and drafting the basic law. Neither of these are acceptable.

It is baffling that France which threw out its own constitution which explicitly states that France is a democratic regime with checks and balances where everyone's vote is equal and replaced it with an dictatorship without checks and balances is here accusing Germany of being flirting with anti-democracy.

France has yet to provide any concrete evidence that Germany's democratically elected government is trying to upend its democratic order. It has yet to provide any evidence that Germany is a threat to peace. All of its statements are ludicrous and without merit.

Yes. We are a democratic society. Members elected to our parliament and our public will call for certain actions or wish to achieve certain goals. This is what democracy is about. In case France has forgotten that. When we take steps that we believe are correct our institutions challenge them and we then work around them. This is what has happened in Germany.

The fact of the matter is simple. France has the power to apologize for overstepping and attempting to interfere in Germany's affairs and end its sanctions targeting our government. This will pave the way for returning of diplomats and normalization of relations. It will take time for trust to rebuild. However, in the end of the day the only nation with the power to end what is happening is France." She said as she turned off her microphone, scratching her notepad and putting her ear piece back in.

Bruno Alexander

 

[Bruno]

After both delegation had spoken, the Secretary would intervene.

“I do believe both France and Germany have ground to reach a peaceful conclusion to these tensions. While we understand France's concerns regarding the internal affairs of Germany. I must also understand Germany's right for self-governance and decisions. I believe that both nations can amend their relations, if France lifts their sanctions on Germany, as a sign of goodwill and mutual understanding. However, Germany must also assure to France, that there is no cause for concerns regarding their internal affairs, and seek a mutual understanding with France.” He would pause. “Conflict as already made its way into our lives, I believe there is no need for tensions between two brotherly nations. France and Germany are the heart of Europe. I believe that by making these necessary steps, both can show the world that there is a place where arguments can be solved.” He would turn to the French and then to the German delegation and ask.

“Would France be willing to forgo the rest of the imposed sanctions on Germany, if Germany gives written assurances on the security and stable prosperity of their Internal Affairs to France? A sign of goodwill between both nations? I believe there will also be an election in Germany, which will also show that the parties that wins will be a Democratic elected one, like the party in power was."

Alexander Jay

 

[Alexander]

Marie first listened to her German counterpart before turning her attention back to their hosts.

"Ahead of my flight here the Empress has given me far-reaching authority to come to a decision here. Including the complete removal of the sanctions regime. Before I respond to your exact proposal I want to clarify some things. The Empire of France still falls under her constitution and free and open elections have been held in every territory following the conclusion of hostilities in said territories to bring each back to a democratic mandate as soon as was possible given that the country was in a civil war. The French commitment to democratic governance, even under a monarchy has remained absolute.

Guarantees that Europe remains free and safe for all groups remain and have always been at the forefront of all of our decisions. So while we certainly could agree to the Portuguese proposal, I would like to suggest something that may be even better. And that would simultaneously commit Germany and France to respecting the rights of her peoples and perhaps even set a framework for the rest of the continent. Decades ago people much like ourselves came together to issue a declaration of the universal rights of humanity, then Europe took its role as a beacon of liberty in forming the European Convention on Human Rights. I would like to propose that today France and Germany both once again commit themselves to this Convention. This way both our peoples prosper and the concerns on either side over dictatorial or imperial ambitions can be addressed. Of course in this scenario we would also lift the sanctions regime, and even be willing to make a public statement acknowledging we acted too fast."

Bruno Jay

 

[Jay]

Schreiber listend to the Portuguese, scribbling down on her notepad carefully. While she listened to the French she would hand her legal aid behind her a note. When the Prime Minister finished her proposal, Schreiber turned on her microphone and spoke as Chief of the Legal Office handed her back a note.

"I welcome the efforts to present proposals. I believe that France's willingness to restore the ECHR is a positive sign and offers a far more realistic solution. I must ask some clarifying questions. Firstly, is France proposing the restoration of the European Court on Human Rights? If so, I believe a more serious discussion is warranted on the implementation of the ECHR including inviting other European nations to join.

Secondly, given elections are to take place ongoing in Germany it is unlikely that we will be able to ratify the ECHR immediately. Neither can I bind a successive government prematurely." She paused as she tried to figure the right way to frame it. "We would like for France to end the remaining sanctions regime as the outcome of these talks. In exchange I guarantee that my government will bring the ECHR to a vote in parliament to re-ratify the ECHR following our elections. I will also lobby for any successive government to commit to bringing the ECHR into a vote."

Bruno Alexander

 

[Alexander]

"For now my proposal is just for France and Germany to commit themselves to the provisions of the ECHR, however I can say that the restoration of a pan-European human rights and security regime is and remains a foreign policy goal of Germany. So essentially, for now it would be just us but we would be open for anyone else to join. I am willing to take your personal promise and commitment to lobby for post-election re-ratification as enough of a sign of goodwill and will not require any more to lift the sanctions regime once I return to Paris"

Bruno Jay

 

[Bruno]

"If both parties can agree to a vocal agreement, I believe that would be sufficient to end the tensions between both nations. I cam assure you Portugal, and my government and its president will stand as witness of such agreement between France and Germany and I believe that Portugal can also join the endeavour of a ECHR."
Jay Alexander

 

[Alexander]

"Yes, I certainly believe so as well. I do want to take this chance to personally thank you for your willingness Chancellor, and apologize for us acting hastily. Once I am back home we will immediately lift the sanctions and issue the statement."

Jay Bruno

 

[Jay]

As the Chief of the Legal Office listened he would nod after the French had finished speaking. Seeing him nod the Chancellor spoke after listening to everything.

"I look forward to seeing the sanctions fully lifted and seeing the statement along with your apology. I believe this is a good start to rebuilding trust. The outcome of which I hope successive governments both in Paris will continue to maintain to help rebuild lost trust." She said with a pause.

"I do hope that we can use this momentum of rapprochement to push for other European nations to join the ECHR. Perhaps the snowball that begins in Braga will once again encompass Europe whole. May the results be prosperous for us all."

Alexander Bruno