[Lauchenoiria]

(Written jointly with the [nation]Democratic Republic of Eiria[/nation])

Arnott Residence, Grapevale, Kerlile
7th August 2019 - evening

President Rebecca Arnott flicked through the list of Council debates scheduled for the next week. She was annoyed that the emigration decriminalisation debate had been scrapped, and hoped that something could be scavenged and saved. She was reading through a proposal by Councillor Georgiou to increase arts funding when the phone on her desk rang. She jumped a little before picking it up.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Ma'am, we are receiving a call from Alice Lancaster, the Minister of Diplomacy for the Democratic Republic of Eiria. She wishes to speak to you."

"She's not on my schedule, but I suppose I could make an exception. Put me through."

The line clicked a couple of times. When the call connected, Arnott spoke.

"This is President Arnott. How may I help you?"

"Good Evening, President Arnott. This is Alice Lancaster. I know you are very busy, so I won't waste to much time with pleasantries. I called to discuss the Trade war".

"Ms Lancaster," said Arnott, slightly taken aback, "while I can appreciate a certain level of bluntness, I would not describe our slight dispute with Zamastan as a 'war'. However I am willing to overlook that. May I ask, however, what business this is of yours?"

She chuckled. "My apologies, Madame. I can be a bit blunt on occasion. I didn't get the nickname 'Diamond' by being subtle. Eiria is interested in holding a conference to end this... Dispute, before it gets out of hand and sends us all into a depression".

"Well, that seems like a bit of an exaggeration to me. We shared little in the way of trade with Zamastan to begin with. And they sanctioned us back in February after accusing us of electoral interference in Aeluria that we were not responsible for. I do not feel that such a conference is necessary."

"With all due respect, Eiria disagrees. I do not doubt your statement that you were not interfering in the election. Eiria has a habit of attempting to shut anything negative down before it starts, ever since the Civil war". She sighed. "Look, you have every right to decline. If so, I apologise for wasting your time. We are just being cautious, Madame President".

"That is understandable. I would not be so hasty, however, to decline without giving the invitation due consideration. We would, of course, prefer to end this dispute in a peaceful and prompt manner. After all, we are seeking to increase trade with our neighbours, not get into unnecessary disputes. I will consider sending a representative to this conference, if it goes ahead."

"Thank you, Madame. It will be held at my childhood home, The Lancaster Estate, in Duņceda, Western Eiria. Accomodations for travel will be made, and diplomats will stay at guest rooms on the Estate property. When would you like to hold it?"

"That will surely depend on the other parties you are inviting. Have the Xiomerans and Zamastanians agreed? We will confirm our attendance once they have," Arnott said.

"I will confirm with them, but I assume they'd be open. We also require the Dietary and Allergenic restrictions for your party, as soon as possible. Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Madame President?"

"No, that will be all. Once we have confirmed our attendance and decided who we are sending we will provide you with that information. Good day," Arnott replied.

"Good Day, Madame President". Click.

Arnott put down the phone and stared at it, slightly bemused. She had not planned to agree to attend any conference, but somehow had ended up doing just that. Still, she figured, it would do Kerlile good on the international stage to be seen to be looking to end the trade war before it could really begin. It was important that Kerlile appeared cooperative with all efforts to end this. This would be good for the Matriarchy - and, almost more importantly, good for her political career.