[Spain]: Message for Sweden

[Zak]

---

Recipient: Government of the Kingdom of Sweden

I'd like to extend our hand of friendship to your country and I would like to visit the Kingdom of Sweden on behalf of the Kingdom of Spain to meet with you to discuss a variety of topics which would bring our two nations closer and would better both of our nations in the long term.

_______________________________

Alfonso Dastis
Minister of Foreign Affairs

---

​

 

[Connor]

Dear Alfonso Dastis, I am ever so grateful for your request to meet our newly established administration and would of course accept to take your hand in the start of our friendship. You're more than welcome to visit Sweden, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss our future together. Unfortunately, with our development still in its early stages, I'm unable to provide you with a security detail or transportation for your visit but you're welcome to bring your own as you see necessary. I look forward to your response. Kindest Regards, Margot Wallström Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Zak]

​

---

Alfonso Dastis would round up his papers and would pack a small suitcase full of essentials and would head towards Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport where he would board a charter flight from Madrid to Stockholm. He would be accompanied by a group of ten security agents dressed in smart black attire as they concealed loaded Glock 17 handguns under their jackets. The Minister of Foreign Affairs used the flight time to catch up on some work before landing in Sweden.

 

[Connor]

19:16hrs
Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden

The Swedish Police Authority, following consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, order local policing departments to prepare for the arrival for the Spanish delegation. A number of standardised procedures follow including the cancellation of police officer rest days for increased patrols, route analysis, airport preparation. Although the route is relatively short, the local policing teams are instructed to position themselves in advantage points along the route.

Positive public reaction radiates very clearly from those lining the streets to get a glimpse at foreign diplomats, the first to visit Sweden for a while.

Spanish authorities are instructed to ensure the Minister of Foreign Affairs heads to the Arvfurstens Palats where a conference room has been prepared. Local media outlets globally have been invited to a short part of the meeting.

 

[Zak]

​

---

The Minister of Foreign Affairs would touch down in Stockholm, complying with Swedish laws as he proceeded through the airport terminal. The security agents would declare to the Swedish authorities that they were armed but simply to protect the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Once they arrived into the arrivals hall, an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs would hire out four Jeep Grand Cherokee's from a local dealer inside the airport, paying any relevant fees and showing the relevant documentation.

The delegation take off to the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel where they hire out five rooms so that the Minister can sleep and the security guards can rest and rotate on a four hour shift pattern, at any one point there would be three security guards standing outside the hotel room.

The next morning, the delegation would set off on the short journey across the city to the Arvfurstens Palats where the Minister would check in with the receptionist and would presumeably be shown up to the conference room, he would enter and shut the door behind him as the Spanish guards would remain outside of the room as they made small talk with their Swedish counterparts, if any.

"Hello there, thank you for having me on such short notice. How are you?"

 

[Connor]

Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs marches her way through the room in her high heels, extending her hand to the delegation as they make themselves known.

"I must welcome you to Sweden, I'm so glad your travel was punctual, our excellent catering team has provided a small lunch for us.." she gestures over to the buffet laid out on the conference table "Please help yourself, there should be something for everybody!"

Margot guides the group to the table and allows everyone to be seated.

"I'll introduce myself, I'm Margot the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister thought it'd be a good idea for me to project my face out there as the primary contact for bilateral communication. I'm really looking forward to a very close relationship with Spain."

 

[Zak]

Alfonso Dastis and his aide smiled at the warm hospitality shown by the Swedish delegate, they picked up a few of the snacks on offer and took a seat at the desk.

"Sweden is such a beautiful country. I arrived here late last night and there was many Swedish citizens along the streets, so friendly.."

He took a bite of some of the snacks on offer, he poured himself a glass of water and took a sip as he looked bag at the Swedish Minister.

"My name is Alfonso, I am the Foreign Minister of Spain. I was recently appointed due to the sacking of former Minister Josep Borell so this is my first visit to another country. Prime Minister Sánchez sends his regards and congratulates your Prime Minister and the entire government on winning the Swedish elections. We hope that today will be the first step to a long and prosperous friendship between Spain and Sweden."

 

[Connor]

"Yes, we have a number of issues we need to address domestically - from my point of view I want Sweden to have friends internationally, to put us in a position of safety whilst we grow to defend ourselves."

She takes a sip of water before continuing...

"The problem I have with the world at the moment is the constant thought process that every dispute has to be settled with military action - why can't people talk about their problems?"

 

[Zak]

"I was thinking the same thing. Literally nearly every country now prepares their armed forces just because of the smallest thing. It's quite unprofessional if you're asking me.."

 

[Connor]

"It's embarrassing. The world stage is all about sizing up another state rather than bilateral relations. People throw trade blocks and travel bans without consider the economic repercussions and the damage that brings to tourism - Anyway, onto the subject of our relationship. I'll cut a very obvious story short. Sweden is in desperate need of self defence forces, does Spain have a significant Armed Forces?"

Marot places a small sausage between her lips and sucks it into her mouth.

"Mmmm - don't you just love a small sausage? These are devine"

 

[Zak]

"Spain has just took control of two different types of tanks and two different types of armoured vehicles. That's all we have at the moment but we do have multiple frigates and patrol vessels on order to begin our navy."

Alfonso takes a sausage from the plate and places it into his mouth.

"They are very succulent and juicy.."

 

[Connor]

Margot watches the Alfonso suck the sausage, she nods agreeing.

"I see... I was leading on to the suggestion that you position forces within Sweden for a short period of time whilst we develop ourselves. Perhaps this compromises your own security."

She makes notes throughout the conversation, wiping the sausage grease onto a napkin before continuing with conversation.

"We're in a dangerous position with our armed forces, if I'm completely honest - our focus is an air defence force of some description - perhaps you have some aircraft we can have on loan?"

 

[Zak]

"We have no aircraft in our air force inventory so we're also in a dangerous position.. That brings me onto my next point. We was actually looking to center our combat units around a certain aircraft and that was the Gripen that your country possesses. It is truly a spectacular aircraft and many people in our government are very big admirers of this aircraft."

 

[Connor]

"Yes, our Gripens are developed by... Saab? I believe. I'm not in the defence field, I've simply been given objectives surrounding the need for national development. Perhaps I can get our Minister for Defence on a conference call..."

Margot checks the electronic calendar for the Minister for Defence, noticing a gap in his schedule she makes a conference call via Skype for Business. This is done over a local network.

"Peter, how the devil are you? I'm glad you answered I'm here with Alfonso from Spain. He has some questions regarding our Gripens..."

 

[Zak]

"Hello... Peter, thank you for speaking to me at such short notice. I've been tasked jointly with the Ministry of Defence to procure a fighter jet for our air force. We have a budget of around $72,000,000 per aircraft. We're a huge admirer of the Gripen NG and we're looking to procure 56 with the potential to procure 75 if the numbers work. Does this cost work for you or would this be more money needed for said aircraft."

 

[Connor]

"Ah... Alfonso, a pleasure... the Saab Gripen comes in a variety of variants, are you look for single seat or dual seat configuration?"

Margot makes notes throughout, continuing to get as much sausage in her mouth as she can, a glass of water helps wash the grease from her lips. Peter's face is projected onto a white screen at the far end of the room and a similar table-facing camera is at the front of the hall to relay the images of the Spanish back to the Ministry of Defence.

 

[Zak]

"Dual seat, specifically the Gripen NG variant that you have on offer."

 

[Connor]

“Dual seat. The NG is a domestic progression of the Gripen, we’re happy to come to an agreement on the release of an alternate variant? How many are you looking to purchase and within what price market?”

 

[Zak]

"Around 56 with the option to make a further order once the numbers have been sorted. We're looking to spend around $70,000,000 - $73,500,000."

 

[Connor]

“I’m going to presume that’s $73k per unit, we can look at providing the C/D variant for around this mark but with this being a Swedish product there will be a number of conditions surrounding the sale of this product and I would expect a thriving relationship from here on in.

If you’re purchasing 56 I will be able to sell these for $72k on the basis that there’s economic and military support from Spain for the foreseeable?”