Foreign relations of Montecara

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Plaque displayed at Montecaran embassies

The foreign relations of Montecara take place within the framework of the state's strategic location in the Aurean Straits at the crossroads of Euclea, Coius, the Gulf of Assonaire, and the Solarian Sea. Montecara functions as a vital link between the developing countries of Rahelia and the highly developed economy of the Euclean Community.

Montecara is a small power and is heavily reliant on trade. Because its national security is challenged not so much by a single external enemy as by instability and the disruption of commerce in general, its relations with other nations are defined by its desire to promote regional and international cooperation and the rule of law. Montecara is threatened by spillover from conflicts in neighboring countries, particularly the Tsabaran Civil War, and by its reliance on its neighbors for essentials such as water, energy, and food. Growing nationalism in Paretia and Etruria is also a threat, particularly in view of the irredentist claims made by some political figures in these countries.

Montecara's relationship with the Euclean Community, and with Paretia, Gaullica, and Etruria in particular, is of great importance. The EC is Montecara's security guarantor through the Euclean Common Defense Treaty Organization and is by far its most important trade partner as well as the source of much of its human capital. Montecara also considers its relationship with Zorasan to be a major concern given its influence in Tsabara and its ability to project power in the Solarian Sea. The Montecaran government views cooperation with Zorasan as essential to its security concerns regarding illegal migration across the Aurean Straits and to managing ethnic and religious conflict in northern Coius.

Militarily, Montecara faces several disadvantages. Its small size limits manpower and gives it little strategic depth with which to defend itself. Its strategic location is something of a double-edged sword, increasing the nation's relevance and bargaining power but making it a potential target of external aggression. The Montecaran government has attempted to compensate for its weaknesses by adopting a military policy based on near-universal conscription, hoping to discourage invaders by promising that they will face a trained and tenacious resistance. Expenditures on military equipment go disproportionately to naval assets as part of a strategy aimed at keeping conflict away from Montecara itself and maintaining the free flow of trade through the Aurean Straits.

Because of its strategic and practical limitations, Montecara has adopted a policy of mitigation it terms "Integral Defense" (Difèsa intèra) which marshals all the resources of the nation to dissuade aggressors. The Montecaran state views such matters as political consensus, administrative competence, economic power, cultural influence, and international relationships as pillars which complement military power in maintaining national security, and makes policy decisions accordingly. This approach also promotes social cohesion by creating an atmosphere in which Montecarans must stand together against a hostile outside world.

As a key part of its foreign policy, Montecara allocated Ł300 million in aid to developing countries in its 2017 budget. This works out to $33.58 per Montecaran, a high figure by world standards, and represents 0.19% of all state revenue and 0.04% of GDP. The vast majority, nearly Ł282 million, went toward development in Tsabara, with the remainder directed to specific programs in various other nations.

Policy positions

Climate change

As Montecara is a small island state, climate change poses it an existential threat. The Montecaran government has consistently advocated for strong and immediate action against climate change at the international level.

Nuclear, biological and chemical weapons

The Montecaran government does not consider that any state has the inherent right to possess nuclear material, even for ostensibly peaceful purposes. It has consistently supported controls aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear technology and materials and is party to the Treaty of Shanbally. The official position of the Montecaran government is that the states of Shangea and Zorasan are in breach of international law due to their nuclear weapons programs. Montecara is a nuclear-free zone.

The Montecaran government has called for the total abolition of chemical and biological weapons. The state itself maintains no chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. Secretary of State Odeta Luciàn has called the use of chemical and biological weapons a "crime against humanity" and called for the creation of an international body to monitor stockpiles and control proliferation.

Refugees and asylum-seekers

Montecaran officials have stated on many occasions going back decades that they respect customary and codified international law related to the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers. However, national implementation and interpretation of the law has been controversial. This can be seen quite clearly in the case of migrants attempting to cross the eastern Aurean Strait from Tsabara; although the Montecaran government claims that it fully respects the principle of non-refoulement, it maintains a policy of interdicting refugee vessels and returning them to Tsabara before they can land on Montecara.

Officials have justified these actions in a number of ways. The Straits are open to all shipping, regardless of nationality, under the principle of transit passage as stated in international laws to which Montecara is party and to which the international community has given its approbation; according to the Montecaran government, this means that the state has formally agreed to relinquish its sovereign rights, at least in certain areas, in regard to the Straits and that the relevant national law in those areas therefore does not apply. This means, in turn, that persons found within the Straits (especially on unflagged vessels) do not necessarily enjoy protection under Montecaran law. The portions of the Straits falling within the demarcation lines that mark the halfway points between the Montecaran and Tsabaran coasts are patrolled by Montecaran forces, and the stated position of the Montecaran government is that the state has the duty to maintain such forces in order to comply with its treaty obligations to keep the Straits free and safe for navigation. Under Montecaran law, entering or attempting to enter Montecaran territory other than at a port of entry is an administrative offense for which a suspect may be detained prior to a determinative hearing. Administrative proceedings do not have all the protections of criminal trials such as the right to counsel or the automatic right to appeal.

Tsabaran Civil War

Main article: Tsabaran Civil War

The Montecaran government supports "a real and lasting peace" and "the reestablishment of democracy and the rule of law" in Tsabara. According to official statements from the Secretariat of State, the Montecaran government considers "the federal government of the Transtsabaran Federation" to be the sole legitimate governing authority of the country; nevertheless, Secretary of State Odeta Luciàn has criticized the coup led by Nazim al-Qutayni as "illegal" and has called for the Tsabaran constitution to be respected by all parties.

Montecaran missions abroad

Ambassador Mario Bucepe in diplomatic uniform

Asteria Inferior

Asteria Superior

Coius

Euclea

International organizations

  1. ↑ The Montecaran embassy in Tsabara was closed on 30 January 2020 due to the outbreak of the Tsabaran Civil War. Relations are handled directly from Montecara. Paòla Acotati remains the ambassador.

Missions in Montecara

Asteria Inferior

Coius

Euclea

  • Embassy of Ajahadya

    Embassy of Ajahadya

  • Embassy of Amathia

    Embassy of Amathia

  • Embassy of Caldia

    Embassy of Caldia

  • Embassy of Estmere

    Embassy of Estmere

  • Embassy of Gaullica

    Embassy of Gaullica

  • Embassy of Imagua and the Assimas

    Embassy of Imagua and the Assimas

  • Cultural and trade office of Jindao

    Cultural and trade office of Jindao

  • Embassy of the Miersan Federation

    Embassy of the Miersan Federation

  • Embassy of Piraea

    Embassy of Piraea

  • Embassy of Rwizikuru

    Embassy of Rwizikuru

  • Embassy of Satavia

    Embassy of Satavia

  • Embassy of Senria

    Embassy of Senria

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