Floria–Order of the Holy Lakes relations
Relations between the Confederate States of Floria and the Order of the Holy Lakes were established in 1691 and were characterized by cordiality until 1706.
In 1706, the Senate of the Lakes condemned Floria's invasion of the independent state of Port Balaine as an unlawful act of aggression. Consequently, Hurmu imposed stringent sanctions on Floria, a stance later adopted by other Xäiville Convention nations. By early 1707, as an international acknowledgement of Floria's annexation of Port Balaine grew, Hurmu downgraded its embassy in Port Balaine to a consulate general. In 1721, Hurmu unilaterally lifted the remaining sanctions against Floria. However, in 1727, Floria's departure from the Raspur Pact resulted in its exclusion from the Hurmu–Raspur Pact Free Trade Agreement.
Floria and the Order of the Holy Lakes have been cordial since.
Social Democrats in the Florian Congress support creating a free trade agreement similar to the Hurmu–Raspur Pact Free Trade Agreement, but United Republicans, who still strongly feel the effects of Hurmu's sanctions between 1706 and 1721, strongly oppose free trade with the Holy Lakes and demand high tariffs instead. Both parties support freedom of movement between both countries for a set period from 72 to 90 days depending on State residency.
In 1741, diplomats from both countries began negotiating a draft for the free-trade agreement. It was envisioned, once finalised, it would be signed in Northcliff by the heads of government of both countries. First Secretary of State Velibor Jovanović-Smičić, the head of government of the Order, had become popular in Florian media, due to his Florian heritage through his paternal grandmother Jessica Smith (the second president of Floria). As such, the Florian government felt a push from its people to normalise trade relations with Hurmu and invite its popular leader on a visit.
1741 Hurmu Visit to Floria
On 5.III.1741, First Secretary of State Prince Velibor Jovanović-Smičić led a delegation from the Secretariat of State to visit Floria on the invitation of Florian president Michael Hutchinson. The delegation consisted also of Secretary of State for External Relations Ingrid Djupvik and Minister of International Trade Muhammad Furkorn Mat Jeen. On day one, the delegation lay wreaths at the Florian National Memorial – the austere and main war memorial in the country, commemorating the soldiers who fell in the War of Lost Brothers, the invasion of Port Balaine, and The Giftunheile.
While Furkorn and Djupvik quickly ended up in negotiations with their Florian counterparts on normalising trade relations to a situation similar to what they once were under the Hurmu–Raspur Pact Free Trade Agreement, Prince Velibor began a charm tour of Floria. Capitalising on his Florian roots, Velibor agreed to be interviewed in Florian media. He visited Dragonmoor, where his grandmother was born and grew up.
On 15.III.1741, the parties signed the Floria–Order of the Holy Lakes Free Trade Agreement, which on 17.V.1741 was referred to the Senate of the Lakes for ratification. On 17.X.1741, the Senate ratified the agreement.
Ambassadors
The Order of the Holy Lakes has been represented in Floria by the following ambassadors:
- Ola w-Koda Bierrelaš-Bážá (1719– )
Florian ambassadors represented in Huyenkula are as follows:
- Zara Trueman (1719–1725)
- Natasha Miller (1725– )
See also
