[Netherlands] Message to Sweden

[Dutchy]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Secret & Encrypted​

To: Margot Wallström Cc: Subject: Dutch Embassy Dear Ms Wallström, It has come to our attention that Sweden will be closing all non-contractual embassies. Therefore I am contacting you with the hope that the closure of the Dutch embassy could be delayed so that we can negotiate an agreement without the need for closing and reopening the embassy. The Netherlands has had a positive relationship with the previous Swedish governments, while many were inexperienced and quick to collapse we offered them our full support, even transferring $2,000,000,000 in foreign aid. We truly hope to continue building and maintaining as positive relationship between our two nations and our two governments as we continue to work to a stable and prosperous Europe. Yours Sincerely, Ysbrand Mertens Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden Kingdom of the Netherlands

✆ +31 (0)70 34 84 848​

✉ buza@rijksoverheid.nl​

■ Rijnstraat 8, 2515 XP The Hague​

 

[Connor]

Dear Ysbrand Martens, Thank you for contacting the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, your message has been forwarded onto me due to other commitments. The relationship of Sweden and nations in an around the Baltic Sea are naturally of the utmost importance to us and our communications regarding closure of diplomatic missions in no way reflects our view of the current relationship status between Sweden and the Netherlands. The financial situation within Sweden is dire as a direct result of low national net income and I appreciate any assistance you have given previous leadership - our focus at the moment is to establish a reasonable self defence force in order to protect Sweden as a whole. These are challenging tasks. Please feel free to give me a video call at your earliest convenience and we can arrange fixing this situation. Regards, Åsa Romson Deputy Prime Minister

 

[Dutchy]

The Ambassador would be sitting in his office when he initiated the encrypted and private video call to the office of Åsa Romson Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden.

 

[Connor]

Åsa Romson in a similar setting would accept the video call, recognising the area code at the start of the number before going on to speak:

“Hello? Deputy Prime Minister Romano of Sweden speaking, is that Mr Mertens?”

 

[Dutchy]

Sitting behind his desk the camera would be centered on him, behind him on each of his sides would be a flagpole with the Dutch flag and the Swedish flag, he would clear his throat and answer "Yes this is Ysbrand Mertens, the Dutch Ambassador to Sweden."

 

[Connor]

“Ah Mr Mertens, it’s great to hear from you, I can only apologise for the respect you have been shown in the eviction notice - I must stress how this is a step to ensure the protection of both states in a legally binding contract rather than a spur of the moment diplomatic mission”

Asa adjusts he blouse and takes a sip from a small glass of water.

 

[Dutchy]

"We understand, the situation in Australia is rather worrying and does highlight the dangers of diplomatic missions without limitations, while I understand what your doing, I hope it can later be adapted to be addded to a resolution of the Global Assembly to ensure all embassies around the world are protected and understand their rights."

"Now since your government decided to announce this policy, I would think that you have also prepared a contract to be signed."

 

[Connor]

Swedish Agreement on Diplomatic Missions and Operational Protocols
​

Kingdom of Sweden bilateral mission to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
ESTABLISHED IN STOCKHOLM, MAY 2012

The states names above are present for the establishment of the Swedish/Spanish diplomatic mission and appropriate bilateral. The details named hereon-in have been agreed and ratified by both member states as a contractual agreement for the establishment of missions at home and abroad. Variations to any of the following articles must be ratified by both member states unless stated otherwise.

[A1] FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT OF PREMISES [1.1] The Kingdom of Sweden accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Götgatan 16A, P.O. Box 15048, 104 65 Stockholm, Sweden [1.2] The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Jan Willem Frisolaan 3, Postbus 85601, 2508 CH Den Haag, 2517 JS 'S-Gravenhage, Netherlands [1.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises. [1.4] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from either nation. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted.

[A2] ESTABLISHMENT OF FURTHER PREMISES [2.1] Either state are permitted to expand their mission within a member state providing the agreement of the home statement is given. Further premises defined include any other building outside the boundary of the foundation premises (embassy). [2.2] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 2.2 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from the additional premises. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted. This does not require a foundation premises to be evicted, only a defined 'further' premises. [2.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises.

[A3] FOREIGN REPRESENTATION [3.1] Either member state permits the free movement of staff throughout the home state without obstruction, unreasonable tariff, taxation. Foreign representation should be free from threat, risk or harm throughout their time serving the diplomatic mission. [3.2] Foreign representation are to receive diplomatic immunity from the date this agreement is ratified. Immunity is only to 'expire' once an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice grace period has ended. [3.3] Foreign representation from both state should be permitted to purchase a personal residence alongside being treated as a citizen of the home state in all aspects otherwise stated. [3.4] Representatives must be first approved by the home state, this includes the 'swapping' of key personnel.

[A4] PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION [4.1] Both member states permit the localised protection of their diplomatic mission premises - the use of guards should not be restricted in any way once access is permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent government department). [4.2] The keeping of weaponry is permitted on site on the provision that all they are recorded by the home state and all weaponry is kept securely, out of public view. The type of weaponry kept on site is subject to approval by the home state. [4.3] The discharge of any firearm will immediately remove diplomatic immunity from the dispensing personnel pending local investigation by the home state. The use of any firearm should be used proportionately with the assessment of any threat, risk or harm to life or limb. All firearm discharged must be proportionate, accountable and justified or may be subject to prosecution. [4.4] Termination of Weaponry Certificate under Article 3.4 may be enacted by any member state at any time, without reason. There is a 1 week grace period for all weaponry defined in the Termination of Weaponry to be removed by the home state, failure to comply will leave personnel registered to the firearm (under Article 3.2) subject to prosecution. [4.5] No weaponry should be used against any home state government official, representative, emergency services worker, military personnel or sovereign citizen. [4.6] Use of weaponry should be a last resort and local law enforcement should be contacted should use of force need to occur.

[A5] DIPLOMATIC COMMUNICATIONS [5.1] All post to and from any diplomatic mission should be clearly labelled within a blue bag. Home states are not permitted to access foreign states post without consent. The diplomatic bag should not be opened or detained at any time. [5.2] Article 5.2 Termination of Diplomatic Post may be enacted if a national emergency is declared or if war is declared against the foreign state. 3 day grace period is to follow enactment. [5.3] Home state shall permit and protect free communication as part of the mission for official purposes.

[A6] PROVISION FOR NEGOTIATION [6.1] Should Article 1.4, Article 2.2, Article 4.4, Article 5.2 be enacted the victim state may call for negotiations at any time, this will immediately pause any grace period in effect pending the result of negotiations.

[A7] AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT [7.1] Any amendments may be commanded by any signatory of this agreement however is subject to approval of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. [7.2] Amendments will be clearly marked and dated at the end of the agreement for easy referral. [7.3] Post-amendment the agreement will need to be re-ratified by both original signatories unless physically impossible (the reason for which should be noted).

SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of Sweden
SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of the Netherlands

 

[Dutchy]

The ambassador would politely ask "could I ask you to make some changes minor to this document? Before I delve into the document itself."

"In the introduction it currently states 'The states names above are present for the establishment of the Swedish/Spanish diplomatic mission and appropriate bilateral', I would like to see this changed to 'The states names above are present for the establishment of the Swedish/Dutch diplomatic mission and appropriate bilateral'."

"It would also be much appreciated with the term of states could be changed to receiving state and sending state where applicable."

 

[Connor]

"Of course, this is an edit of an original document supplied to the Spanish, my apologies"

Swedish Agreement on Diplomatic Missions and Operational Protocols
​

Kingdom of Sweden bilateral mission to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
ESTABLISHED IN STOCKHOLM, MAY 2012

The states names above are present for the establishment of the Swedish/Dutch diplomatic mission and appropriate bilateral. The details named hereon-in have been agreed and ratified by both member states as a contractual agreement for the establishment of missions at home and abroad. Variations to any of the following articles must be ratified by both member states unless stated otherwise.

[A1] FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT OF PREMISES [1.1] The Kingdom of Sweden accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Götgatan 16A, P.O. Box 15048, 104 65 Stockholm, Sweden [1.2] The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Jan Willem Frisolaan 3, Postbus 85601, 2508 CH Den Haag, 2517 JS 'S-Gravenhage, Netherlands [1.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises. [1.4] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from either nation. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted.

[A2] ESTABLISHMENT OF FURTHER PREMISES [2.1] Either state are permitted to expand their mission within a member state providing the agreement of the home statement is given. Further premises defined include any other building outside the boundary of the foundation premises (embassy). [2.2] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 2.2 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from the additional premises. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted. This does not require a foundation premises to be evicted, only a defined 'further' premises. [2.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises.

[A3] FOREIGN REPRESENTATION [3.1] Either member state permits the free movement of staff throughout the home state without obstruction, unreasonable tariff, taxation. Foreign representation should be free from threat, risk or harm throughout their time serving the diplomatic mission. [3.2] Foreign representation are to receive diplomatic immunity from the date this agreement is ratified. Immunity is only to 'expire' once an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice grace period has ended. [3.3] Foreign representation from both state should be permitted to purchase a personal residence alongside being treated as a citizen of the home state in all aspects otherwise stated. [3.4] Representatives must be first approved by the home state, this includes the 'swapping' of key personnel.

[A4] PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION [4.1] Both member states permit the localised protection of their diplomatic mission premises - the use of guards should not be restricted in any way once access is permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent government department). [4.2] The keeping of weaponry is permitted on site on the provision that all they are recorded by the home state and all weaponry is kept securely, out of public view. The type of weaponry kept on site is subject to approval by the home state. [4.3] The discharge of any firearm will immediately remove diplomatic immunity from the dispensing personnel pending local investigation by the home state. The use of any firearm should be used proportionately with the assessment of any threat, risk or harm to life or limb. All firearm discharged must be proportionate, accountable and justified or may be subject to prosecution. [4.4] Termination of Weaponry Certificate under Article 3.4 may be enacted by any member state at any time, without reason. There is a 1 week grace period for all weaponry defined in the Termination of Weaponry to be removed by the home state, failure to comply will leave personnel registered to the firearm (under Article 3.2) subject to prosecution. [4.5] No weaponry should be used against any home state government official, representative, emergency services worker, military personnel or sovereign citizen. [4.6] Use of weaponry should be a last resort and local law enforcement should be contacted should use of force need to occur.

[A5] DIPLOMATIC COMMUNICATIONS [5.1] All post to and from any diplomatic mission should be clearly labelled within a blue bag. Home states are not permitted to access foreign states post without consent. The diplomatic bag should not be opened or detained at any time. [5.2] Article 5.2 Termination of Diplomatic Post may be enacted if a national emergency is declared or if war is declared against the foreign state. 3 day grace period is to follow enactment. [5.3] Home state shall permit and protect free communication as part of the mission for official purposes.

[A6] PROVISION FOR NEGOTIATION [6.1] Should Article 1.4, Article 2.2, Article 4.4, Article 5.2 be enacted the victim state may call for negotiations at any time, this will immediately pause any grace period in effect pending the result of negotiations.

[A7] AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT [7.1] Any amendments may be commanded by any signatory of this agreement however is subject to approval of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. [7.2] Amendments will be clearly marked and dated at the end of the agreement for easy referral. [7.3] Post-amendment the agreement will need to be re-ratified by both original signatories unless physically impossible (the reason for which should be noted).

SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of Sweden
SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of the Netherlands

 

[Dutchy]

Swedish Agreement on Diplomatic Missions and Operational Protocols
​

Kingdom of Sweden bilateral mission to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
ESTABLISHED IN STOCKHOLM, MAY 2012

The states names above are present for the establishment of the Swedish/Dutch diplomatic mission and appropriate bilateral. The details named hereon-in have been agreed and ratified by both member states as a contractual agreement for the establishment of missions at home and abroad. Variations to any of the following articles must be ratified by both member states unless stated otherwise.

[A1] FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT OF PREMISES [1.1] The Kingdom of Sweden accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Götgatan 16A, P.O. Box 15048, 104 65 Stockholm, Sweden [1.2] The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the establishment of an embassy at the address of Jan Willem Frisolaan 3, Postbus 85601, 2508 CH Den Haag, 2517 JS 'S-Gravenhage, Netherlands [1.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises. [1.4] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from either nation. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted.

[A2] ESTABLISHMENT OF FURTHER PREMISES [2.1] Either state are permitted to expand their mission within a member state providing the agreement of the receiving state is given. Further premises defined include any other building outside the boundary of the foundation premises (embassy). [2.2] The removal of foundation premises require 4 week notice. Following an Article 2.2 Eviction Notice both parties will withdraw, within the 4 week grace period, from the additional premises. No justification is required for an eviction to be enacted. This does not require a foundation premises to be evicted, only a defined 'further' premises. [2.3] Both parties recognise the land as sovereign territory of occupying state and will respect the physical boundaries laid out by registration of the land. Local emergency service workers, government officials and military personnel may not be restricted access to public areas of any premises.

[A3] FOREIGN REPRESENTATION [3.1] Either member state permits the free movement of staff throughout the home state without obstruction, unreasonable tariff, taxation. Foreign representation should be free from threat, risk or harm throughout their time serving the diplomatic mission. [3.2] Foreign representation are to receive diplomatic immunity from the date this agreement is ratified. Immunity is only to 'expire' once an Article 1.4 Eviction Notice grace period has ended or when a firearm has been discharged as per Article 4.3. [3.3] Foreign representation from both states should be permitted to purchase a personal residence alongside being treated as a citizen of the home state in all aspects otherwise stated. [3.4] Representatives must be first approved by the receiving state, this includes the 'swapping' of key personnel.

[A4] PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION [4.1] Both member states permit the localised protection of their diplomatic mission premises - the use of guards should not be restricted in any way once access is permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent government department). [4.2] The keeping of weaponry is permitted on site on the provision that all they are recorded by the receiving state and all weaponry is kept securely, out of public view. The type of weaponry kept on site is subject to approval by the receiving state. [4.3] The discharge of any firearm will immediately remove diplomatic immunity from the dispensing personnel pending local investigation by the home state. The use of any firearm should be used proportionately with the assessment of any threat, risk or harm to life or limb. All firearm discharged must be proportionate, accountable and justified or may be subject to prosecution. [4.4] Termination of Weaponry Certificate under Article 3.4 may be enacted by any member state at any time, without reason. There is a 1 week grace period for all weaponry defined in the Termination of Weaponry to be removed by the sending state, failure to comply will leave personnel registered to the firearm (under Article 3.2) subject to prosecution. [4.5] No weaponry should be used against any receiving state's government official, representative, emergency services worker, military personnel or sovereign citizen. [4.6] Use of weaponry should be a last resort and local law enforcement should be contacted should use of force need to occur.

[A5] DIPLOMATIC COMMUNICATIONS [5.1] All post to and from any diplomatic mission should be clearly labelled within a blue bag. The receiving state is not permitted to access foreign states post without consent. The diplomatic bag should not be opened or detained at any time. [5.2] Article 5.2 Termination of Diplomatic Post may be enacted if a national emergency is declared or if war is declared against the foreign state. 3 day grace period is to follow enactment. [5.3] The receiving state shall permit and protect free communication of the sending state's diplomatic mission which are part of the missions official tasks.

[A6] PROVISION FOR NEGOTIATION [6.1] Should Article 1.4, Article 2.2, Article 4.4, Article 5.2 be enacted the victim state may call for negotiations at any time, this will immediately pause any grace period in effect pending the result of negotiations.

[A7] AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT [7.1] Any amendments may be commanded by any signatory of this agreement however is subject to approval of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. [7.2] Amendments will be clearly marked and dated at the end of the agreement for easy referral. [7.3] Post-amendment the agreement will need to be re-ratified by both original signatories unless physically impossible (the reason for which should be noted).

SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of Sweden
SIGNED: __________________________ Kingdom of the Netherlands

---

"I Have made some word changes in the form of home state to receiving state as well as added the term sending state, this is all for clarification. Do you foresee any issue due to the change of terms?"

 

[Connor]

“No, that’s absolutely fine by me, the Swedish Ambassador to the Netherlands will be Per Holmström; he will report on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provide a link between our states. We have no security arrangements at this time but that’s naturally due to change - I trust we can have faith in local police to ensure the protection of mission staff?”

The Swedish ratify the agreement, awaiting the Dutch to do the same.

 

[Dutchy]

"Ah, my apologies for not making it clear enough. What I am aiming to achieve now is to set the foundation of the document before we go into the finer details. However I can announce that the Netherlands will assign Ysbrand Mertens will become our Ambassador to Sweden. And of course our national police maintains the Diplomatic Security Service tasked with the protection of foreign embassies and their staff."

"With the recent incident in Canberra, Australia my government is becoming worried about the limitless amount of arms and men foreign embassies can place in their embassies. We would like to negotiate a certain limit on armed personnel and the category of arms they may carry."

 

[Connor]

“I understand. I must say you’re the first state to negotiate a formal and unique agreement, hence my presumption you’d stick to the mainstream. I’d much rather discuss in finer detail.

Honestly sir, Sweden has no interest in armed personnel within our diplomatic missions without firm intelligence, reasonable suspicion or offensive political affairs. I wholeheartedly trust the diplomatic protection capabilities of your law enforcement teams. That does not mean however that we won’t look to relieve the strain on your local teams by assigning our own protection personnel once we get to that stage in economic development. Of course, this will all be run via the Dutch mission.

What is the Dutch stance on firearms? Do you have any plans to self-defend your missions?”

 

[Dutchy]

"Well, the Dutch Naitonal Police is tasked with protecting our embassies through the Diplomatic Security Service. Specially trained officers will then protect the territory of the embassy. While they are usually armed with sidearms, they do not use heavy weapons such as assault rifles. While we would appreciate the means to protect ourselves with force, as we have experienced two incidents that a government has killed our diplomatic personnel."

"Our government stands against the use of a large security force armed with heavy weaponry. However understands that certain nations wish to protect their sovereign territory by all means. We will be reviewing our laws soon and will most likely be making certain changes to improve security without the need for a large security force."

 

[Connor]

“We are happy to permit the possession of sidearms within your mission however if you wish for assault rifles to be on site we’ll need to come to a strong set of terms regarding their keeping, registration, use and deployment... it would definitely be a ‘fear-factor’ for Swedes seeing officers marching around with huge fire power as it’s definitely out of the norm.

Pending the results of your law changes, which we will need to be made aware of, I think the sidearms are sufficient given our current relations status”

 

[Dutchy]

"The Netherlands is not a nation which parades its troops outside of an embassy, and see absolutely no need to ever have to scare the Swedish civilian population away from the embassy. If your nation were to become a zone where the security of our personnel cannot be guaranteed we would rather pull back our staff rather than arm our security to the teeth."

"All embassies will of course be notified and we will be reviewing a more suitable manner on enforcing legistlation, a repeat of the Canberra embassy incident is what we are trying to prevent not repeat."