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Foreign policy of Knootoss
The Grand Pensionary represents Knootoss in its international relations, concludes treaties with foreign countries on behalf of the Knootoss and accredits and receives envoys. The foreign policy of Knootoss is decided upon by the cabinet government collectively, under the auspices of the elected Prime Minister, and enacted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.The Minister is assisted by two deputy ministers. The Ministers’ duties focus on relations with countries of the Western Atlantic region, trade and the Atlantic Ducat Customs Union. A Deputy Minister for World Assembly and Extraregional Relations is responsible for relations with more distant nations, the World Assembly and the promotion of international tourism. The Deputy Minister for Federal Affairs is responsible for relations with the countries of the Knootian Federation.
The first strategic objective is to protect Knootoss and the Knootian Federation from foreign invaders through alliance-building, regional entanglement and an emphasis on credible nuclear deterrence. The second objective is to gain access to foreign markets, and to promote the interests of Knootian business abroad. As a country with a globally-oriented economy, Knootoss attaches great importance to a well-structured world order, and it promotes solving international problems on an international scale. The government is also eager to promote values to which Knootian society attaches great importance such as democracy, the free market and sentient rights.
World Assembly
World Assembly membership remains controversial in Knootoss, with the right of politics most opposed to the notion. Knootoss was an early member of the United Nations, but left when a resolution imposed fishing quotas. Whereas resolutions promoting sentient rights, free trade and security cooperation meet with general approval, resolutions labelled by the World Assembly as "moral decency", "social justice" or which promote protectionist aims have a more difficult time finding approval. A majority of Knootians also oppose resolutions which ban the use of military equipment. Resolutions that promote international security are mildly favoured, provided that they do not infringe on civil liberties. Resolutions that restrict gambling or gun ownership are generally met with hostility. The country has successfully sponsored nine General Assembly resolutions with legislative force, and has been commended in Security Council Resolution #255.
The Knootian legal basis for the enactment of World Assembly legislation and other treaty commitments lies in article 27 of its constitution, which allows for the delegation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers on international institutions by or pursuant to a treaty entered into by the legislature. Any provisions of a treaty that conflict with the Constitution or which lead to conflicts with it may be approved by the Staten-Generaal only if at least two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour.
Multilateralism
Knootoss used to be active in multilateral organisations outside of its home region, but has largely withdrawn from such associations from the Daatman administration (2005-2010) onwards, though it remains a member of UNOG (Dutch: Oude Garde van de Verenigde Naties).
Knootoss is in a currency union with Pantocratoria, the Confederation of the Sovereign States and the Southern Low Countries. Excalbia is expected to join the currency union in the autumn of 2023, but it is already using the Atlantic Ducat as a currency in former Confederate states that have elected to secede from the Confederation and join the Excalbian Empire. There are ongoing negotiations to reform and expand the currency union.
Military cooperation is secured through the Treaty of Oosterbeek, a defensive alliance between Knootoss, Pantocratoria and Excalbia, which originally also included Tarasovka. It requires that parties consult with the others before going to war, after which they shall observe at least a benevolent neutrality. Cooperation also extends to establishing the administrative bodies and military infrastructure necessary to collectively wage war. Other nations may join the treaty, provided that all the existing members agree. A further bilateral military alliance based on the defunct VERITAS treaty was signed with the Caldan Union of the Resurgent dream.
The Treaty of Courtland, signed by the nations of the Excalbian Isles, Pantocratoria, the Caldan Union of the Resurgent Dream and Knootoss, established a Conflict Resolution Mechanism to resolve disputes between signatories. It involves a rotating Conflict Resolution Council composed of three nations at a time. Regular meetings are scheduled for heads of government and foreign ministers to discuss foreign affairs, defence, education, culture, and youth exchanges. Signatories are prohibited from imposing trade sanctions or boycotts on each other, except as authorised by the Conflict Resolution Council. The treaty encourages cooperation in areas such as aid to developing aid, transnational economic policy, and research collaboration.
Knootoss is an active participant in the Atlantic Council, a regional treaty organisation that functions as a 'talking shop' for the region. Within the Atlantic Council it has the following relations:
Name | Knootian Ambassador | Foreign Ambassador | Agreements |
Embassy in Belgorod | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Embassy in Imperial City | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Ajuba | Embassy in Abadan | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Brasland | Embassy in Markund | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Embassy in Dfhanor | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Cyretopolitania | Embassy in Cyretia | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Embassy in Jalaalalaal | Unknown | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Ernestria | Embassy in Bodendorf | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Excalbia | Embassy in Citadel Excalbia | Embassy in Haag | Treaty of Courtland |
Embassy in Strelisa | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Jrawa | Embassy in Semien | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Embassy in Mtskheta | Unknown | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Embassy in Kasev | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Laneria | Embassy in Williamsburg | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Embassy in Mutalah | Unknown | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Embassy in Lutherstadt | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Mayagua | Embassy in La Libertad | Unknown | Atlantic International Organisation |
Ostmark and Nordmark | Ambassador recalled | Ambassador sought asylum in Knootoss | n/a |
Pantocratoria | Embassy in New Rome | Embassy in Haag | Western Atlantic Currency Area (WACA) |
Providencia y San Andres | Embassy in Providencia | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Qubti | Embassy in Iskandariya | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
Embassy in Yangikent | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation | |
Saxmere | Consulate in Umbra | Embassy in Haag | Western Atlantic Currency Area (WACA) |
Embassy in Sargedain | Embassy in Haag | Bilateral Trade Agreement | |
South Epheron | Embassy in Kaap Chamaven | Embassy in Haag | Bilateral Trade Agreement |
Soveriegn States | Embassy in Jefferson | Embassy in Haag | Western Atlantic Currency Area (WACA) |
Southern Low Countries | Embassy in Namen | Unknown | Western Atlantic Currency Area (WACA) |
Tehua | Embassy in San Miguel | Embassy in Haag | Atlantic International Organisation |
The Resurgent Dream | Embassy in Tarana | Embassy in Haag | Bilateral Military Alliance |
Uncle Noel | n/a | n/a | Atlantic International Organisation. |
Upper Virginia | Embassy in Courtland | Embassy in Haag | Treaty of Courtland |
Zamimbia | Embassy in New Hope | Embassy in Haag | Treaty of Courtland |
Bilateral Relations
The government aims for reciprocal free trade with all willing participants, within the framework of limitations imposed by the Atlantic Ducat customs union. In the absence of security threats, economic expansion is the primary goal of international relations.
Knootian governments usually negotiate with foreign nations on the basis of mutual benefit. ("Creating win-win situations"). While Knootian diplomacy can be quite genial, Knootians may resort to manipulation, blackmail, bullying or overt aggression when faced with an adversary that is perceived as weak and uncooperative. Government policies do find themselves constrained by some ethical norms, as dictated by public opinion.
Factors that contribute to a high popular opinion about foreign nations include a mixed economy, a democratic system of government and reasonably good civil rights. Secular nations also find it easier to make friends with the Knootians, as they often display antipathy towards organised religion. Native humans feel a certain kinship with Dutch, Boer and Frisian peoples. Many Dutch-speaking minorities in foreign lands are originally Knootian settlers, and the government feels a certain obligation to look after such 'wayward children'. Conversely, human rights violations such as torture, slavery and persecution of non-humans will not win a foreign nation many friends in Knootoss. Protectionism is looked down upon, and the government compensates exporting businesses for "unfair" burdens caused by foreign impediments to trade.
Name | Knootian envoy | Foreign envoy | Treaties |
Allanea | Humfried van Kortrijk | Embassy in Haag | |
Ardchoille | Dorothea Peterse | Embassy in Haag | UNOG |
Brutland and Norden | None | Embassy in Haag | |
Charlotte Ryberg | Donald Vinewicz | Embassy in Haag | Ryberg Institute of Mutual Trade |
Crystal Spires | Krenintra Teken'viir | Embassy in Haag | IUEF (Observer) |
Frenequesta | Levina Markgraaf | Embassy in Haag | Ryberg Institute of Mutual Trade |
Iansisle | Lidwina de Houtman | Embassy in Haag | |
Ilek-Vaad | Saskia Lozier | Embassy in Haag | |
Lowell Leber | Lukas Cleyn | Embassy in Haag | Free Trade Agreement |
Omigodtheykilledkenny | Berent Bredenbent | Embassy in Haag | UNOG |
Pacitalia | Erik Van Randwijck | Embassy in Haag | Knootoss-Pacitalia relations |
Sarzonia | Leonora Assuerus | Embassy in Haag | |
Tarasovka | Wolter Breytenbach | Embassy in Haag | Vigvar Convention on Cooperation |
Of the Quendi | Lady Lessien Fëfalas | Embassy in Haag | Free Trade Agreement |
Tiburon | Unknown | Embassy in Haag | |
Unibot III | Consul Vera van Mierenet | Unknown | |
Valinon | Dr. Koenrad Bonnel | Embassy in Haag |