Saridan

[Rogue]

Woolloowilli - State President Smit, Minister-President Pienaar and Foreign Minister Jiwabiddy met their Mordusian counterparts today in a special state visit in which Mordusian officials visited the Ijkpieland capital of Woolloowilli. The visit, lasting the entire day, saw the Mordusian PM, Smit, Pienaar and Juwabiddy visit the parliament building of the province, meeting with Ikpi lawmakers ahead of a much anticipated visit to the Saridan-Mordusia border. Once at the border, all those attending made their way to the "Ikpi National Border Crossing", the largest border crossing between the two states. In a joyous ceremony, attended by leaders from the Ikpi community and delegations from both countries, the Minister-President and State President as well as the Mordusian PM signed the "Woolloowilli Treaty". The treaty binds the two countries towards harmonising visa policies, creating "slow speed" border crossings, allow those close to the border to cross it at unnofficial crossings and, in the long term, allow complete freedom for citizens of both countries to travel between one another without the need for visa controls and border checkpoints. 

The treaty was specifically designed for a phased process in which the countries would gradually move towards complete freedom of movement. Expectations on reaching that goal range between 10 to 15 years. Additionally the treaty is free for anyone to sign with approval from all signatory states, allowing other nations to join the "Woolloowilli Zone" as it is already being called. After the signing ceremony, the levers of the Ikpi National Border Crossing were symbolically lifted after which the first cars were allowed to cross the border without stopping or having their visa's checked. This treaty is not just seen as a step towards lasting cooperation between the two states, it is also expected to boost trade. More importantly, it is seen as a important step towards allowing the Ikpi people from Saridan and Mordusia to travel to eachother without restrictions, hopefully boosting and solidifying their presence in the region. 

Besides the treaty, the two countries have also agreed to work together in protecting and supporting Ikpi culture and self determination. Minister-President Pienaar noted that "for our countries to succeed, the Ikpi people need to succeed. No true patriot can truly claim that they care about their country if they do not take care of its original inhabitants." The two countries have signed a memorandum towards this goal, aimed at investing millions in joint educational and cultural programs. 

Lastly, as both nations have started remilitarization on their own terms, the defense ministries of Saridan and Mordusia have agreed on working together on the development on a new frigate, to be jointly developed and be procured in both Saridanese and Mordusian shipyards. Saridan's state defense company Deronda has been contracted to lead development of the frigate for the Saridanese side, with its subsidiary Deronda Maritime Systems to take the lead. The eventual design is to be supported by both Mordusia and Saridan before procurement is to start. Today two neighbours celebrate a renewed and powerfull relationship. Showing that unity within (southern) seleya is certainly possible as long as nations cooperate and respect one another.