[Belgium] State Visit to The Netherlands

[Flying Damascas]

At 9pm the night before the state reception, The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would send out a notification to the Belgian embassy in The Hague of the expected arrival of King Albert II and Kristopher Reensma for a planned state visit to The Netherlands.

The King and Foreign Minister would arrange for a chartered flight from Brussels to Rotterdam and would as is customary practice be accompanied by a security detachment to ensure the safety of The King and Foreign Minister.

The Flight would take off from Brussels International Airport at 7am and arrive at the Hague Airport in Rotterdam from the airport they would arrange for a taxi that would take them to The Hague for a meeting with the Dutch foreign minister.

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

The flight would be safely guided through Dutch airspace before being granted permission to land at Rotterdam The Hague Airport where the aircraft would be guided to a remote stand reserved for diplomatic purposes. Officers from the Royal Netherlands Constabulary stationed at the airport for border security would be standing outside the aircraft for passport control of all those entering the country. Upon realisation that the Belgian monarch was among the passengers a rush of calls would go up the chain of command. While the '1st Platoon of the Brigade Special Security Assignments' was being scrambled to the airport, the Belgian delegation would be guided to a secure section within the airport to await the arrival of the security detail. While waiting the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee would take down the details of all those part of the delegation and security detachment, the Marechaussee would request the surrender of any and all firearms so that they could be checked and their serial numbers registered in the database, upon completion the weapons would be returned.

Once the convoy of the Brigade Special Security Assignments had arrived and a security perimeter had been set up, the Belgian delegation would be escorted to the waiting vehicles and would be distributed among them. The convoy departed towards The Hague, however instead of heading to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the convoy would make its way towards Noordeinde Palace.

Arriving at the palace the ceremonial guard would stand to attention. The doors to the vehicles would be opened to allow the Belgian delegation to disembark, a red carpet had been laid down which led towards the palace's main entrance where Crown Prince Willem Alexander was standing alongside the Foreign Minister. Once the delegation had made their way to the entrance the Crown Prince would extend his hand to greet both the King and Minister Reensma, after which the Foreign Minister would do the same before remaking, "Your Majesty, welcome to the Netherlands. It is a true honour to welcome you."

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

The flight to Rotterdam's Hague Airport had been fairly smooth, The King, Foreign Minister, and Royal Security would disembark from their flight upon escort to a section of the airports tarmac reserved for diplomatic purposes. It was here that the Belgian delegation was subject to passport control and a security inspection from their Dutch counterparts.

Arriving at Noordeinde Palace, the Belgian delegation would be greeted by the ceremonial guard standing at attention as a red carpet descended upon the path from the palace gate to the main entry point. The King and Foreign Minister would walk the path and calmly shake the hand of Crown Prince Willem Alexander. "Thank You, Your Excellency, for this fine hospitality. Its really a privilege to be in your company as guests of state." Albert II remarked pleasantly to his fellow head of state.

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

After the greetings the Belgian delegation would be led inside the palace to a conference room which had been prepared for the meeting. "After taking their seats at the table the Foreign Minister asked, "Can I offer you any refreshments before we begin our discussions?"

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

The Belgians were enchanted by the beauty of the palace, entering it with ease and a sense of purpose in their mission. Upon being asked by the foreign minister if they desired a refreshment The King of The Belgians would request a glass of sherry while Reensma favoured a cup of herbal tea after which they extended their thanks and appreciation.

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

A Royal Aide would silently slip out of the room to prepare the order. The aide returned a few minutes later with a silver tray carrying both the glass of sherry and a cup of herbal tea which he carefully placed in front of the delegation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maximiliaan Theunissen initiated the meeting, "Before we begin, I'd like to get a overview of the topics you're looking at discussing today. In your message you mentioned the establishment of a potential free trade and customs bloc designed to promote economic growth and the abolition of restrictions on the free movement of citizens between our frontiers. Are there any other topics you wish to discuss alongside this?"

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

The Belgians would thank their hosts for the fine hospitality bestowed upon them by the Dutch state. "My intention was to discuss the possibility of free trade and the establishment of a regionwide passport freezone. Apart from that I am not opposed to the idea of mutual assistance at some point in the near future." Reensma said as the royal aide sat down a silver platter with his herbal tea.

@Dutchy

 

[Flying Damascas]

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

The Foreign Minister, taking the lead in the discussion, leaned forward, "I believe, and something my government would be eager to achieve, would be the reestablishment of the Benelux Union. However, without an Luxembourgian government which is active on the international stage, cooperation would be limited to our nations. Though, it would leave the door open to future Luxembourgian participation."

"Within this union we could expand the scope of cooperation to any level which we would mutually seek, including an internal market and passport freezone with open borders to facilitate the free movement of people and goods. Though it could also be expanded to police, judicial and defence cooperation. What would be your thoughts on this?"

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

Foreign Minister Reensma would smile as his Dutch counterpart spoke.

"As far as my government is concerned, the reestablishment of the Benelux Union would be of great benefit for our two economies and as you mentioned earlier such an undertaking would of course entail provisions for the eventual membership of Luxembourg in the near future. " he paused and pondered for a moment. "I am also inclined to agree that within the union, our two countries would be more than capable of cooperation on other fronts including legal affairs and the like in so far as it doesn't infringe upon national sovereignty. "

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Then I'll have my ministry begin writing the necessary documents required to establish such an inter-governmental organisation, and communicate with the Ministry of Defence to investigate possibilities for military cooperation. Are there any other elements of cooperation that your government would be willing to pursue?"

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

"At the moment, No. We'll wait until things are up and running and then plan accordingly." Reensma said with caution. "Once the documents have been signed a copy of the agreement will be sent to the National Assembly for review and ratification as law."

@Dutchy

 

[Flying Damascas]

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Before we proceed, I'd like to ask you some questions on how your government will be handling remaining extremist elements from the previous regime? We have received disturbing reports of various communist organisations within your country assembling volunteers to conduct armed operations abroad. Such actions would threaten European peace and stability and cannot be allowed to happen."

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

"At this point in time, the government is working with local law enforcement to keep the peace while protecting the rights of the individual though under these current circumstances I think we could see to it that various communist organisations cease their activism and belief in violent revolution. The National Assembly shall address the issue accordingly, rest assured. "

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"We are pleased to hear of your resolution to manage these issues, in the event that you ever require assistance then please do not hesitate to contact either myself or our ambassador to Belgium."

"My government is also aware that your are facing financial hardships caused by the previous regime resulting in the passing of the Fiscal Austerity Act. We understand the measures you are taking, however we feel that it is unjust to tax civilians based on the actions of the previous regime. We'd like to do what we can to assist your government in these trying times, what actions are you currently taking to decrease this debt and how much financial assistance would your nation require?"

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

"We are most grateful to have such generous and kind hearted neighbors to our North, so any hesitation shall be minimal at best." Reensma paused and sipped his tea. "Indeed, we have had more than our fair share of fiscal hardship and economic deprivation since regime change was initiated via referendums and general elections, my government believes that this taxation is a necessary evil needed to ensure that the government has the funding needed to pay its debts. I imagine this will be a temporary concern." He sipped his tea once more finishing a cup. "At this time, we are engaged in liasons with a firm out of Japan last time I recall. In the coming weeks the government will resume commercial ventures on the global market thanks to lobbyists insisting upon rejuvenating the economy via the sale of arms and other commodities of worth."

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"We're glad to hear your government is taking action to resolve the situation, we look forward to the return of economic prosperity within your nation."

An aide entered the conference room and gestured towards the Foreign Minister, "My apologies gentlemen, I'll be back in a moment." The Minister quickly exited the room where the aide handed him a copy of A0006: Belgian Egyptian Cooperation and Land Transfer Agreement Act. He quickly scanned the document, before returning to the room.

"Minister, I've just been informed of your government's intention to sell out your own citizens, namely those who are resident of Veurne. We'd like some explanation as to this course of action, as it could threaten Benelux cooperation. I'll understand if you need a moment to contact Brussels."

(OOC: Section voided)

@Flying Damascas

 

[Flying Damascas]

"Indeed its been a long time coming on, the government simply wishes to pay off the national debt and pay off a sizable portion of our debt. Though we seem to be facing a wave of strikes, in time we will begin to enjoy a newfound sense of prosperity." Reensma before taking a brief look at his watch.

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

The Minister, noticing the glance by Minister Reensma cleared his throat, "I don't wish to take any more of your precious time, if there is nothing more to discuss then I can arrange for an escort to return you to the airport or if you prefer we can have the escort drive you to the Belgian border."

@Flying Damascas