Foreign relations of Montecara
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 for trade between the developing countries of Rahelia and the highly developed economy of the Euclean Community.
Montecara is a small power. Nevertheless, it enjoys influence in some areas, particularly international trade and finance. Because its national security is threatened 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 sometimes made by political figures in these countries.
Currently, its priorities include the expansion of trade and cultural ties and the continued augmentation of its soft power. The Montecaran government recognizes all Community of Nations member states and maintains a number of bilateral and multilateral missions abroad.
Montecaran missions abroad
Asteria Inferior
- File:ImaguaFlag.png Imagua and the Assimas
Cuanstad: Consulate-general (Consul-General Berengar Lori) - Satavia
Port Hope: Embassy (Ambassador Tristàn Carièr) - Satucin
Gatôn: Embassy (Ambassador Piera ia Gàlba)
Asteria Superior
- Cassier
New Rayenne: Embassy (Ambassador Gianpàolo Minela)
Coius
- Ajahadya
Banabadura: Embassy (Ambassador Rolfo de Bélo) - Baekjeong
Sangang: Embassy (Ambassador Nàrseo Bossi) - Dezevau
Bazadavo: Embassy (Ambassador Gentìl Mauroçeno)
Bagabiada: Consulate-general (Consul-General Emanuele Aurièma) - Senria
Keisi: Embassy (Ambassador Vitòria Sangiàn) - Shangea
Rongzhuo: Embassy (Ambassador Elmèr Franxèti)
Jindao: Consulate-General (Consul-General Eutèrio Fiòr) - Tsabara
Adunis: Embassy[1] (Ambassador Paòla Acotati) - Zorasan
Zahedan: Embassy (Ambassador Prisco Braci)
Euclea
- Amathia
Arciluco: Embassy (Ambassador Gaia Xibèta) - Caldia
Spálgleann: Embassy (Ambassador Piersilvo Ludovìc) - Emessa
Lyria: Embassy (Ambassador Eliçabèt Antonìn) - Template:Country data Estmere
Morwall: Embassy (Ambassador Mario Bucepe)
Bouley: Consulate-general (Consul-General Òrsina Cantù) - Etruria
Povelia: Embassy (Ambassador Giàn Arancola)
Solaria: Consulate-general (Consul-General Perla Bùcio) - Galenia
Kartha: Embassy (Ambassador Unà Letièr) - Gaullica
Verlois: Embassy (Ambassador Giùdice Bartòl) - Kesselbourg
Kesselbourg City: Embassy (Ambassador Danièla Biancàrd) - Kirenia
Harimisaareke: Embassy (Ambassador Àntimo Pàgani) - Miersan Federation
West Żobrodź: Embassy (Ambassador Iacopò Aiuto) - Paretia
Precea: Embassy (Ambassador Clèa Madalòn) - Piraea
Alikianos: Embassy (Ambassador Demetrio Girolàm) - Soravia
Samistopol: Embassy (Ambassador Clarénxo Tonìn) - Werania
Westbrücken: Embassy (Ambassador Françèsca da Càlvi)
International organizations
- Association for Economic Development and Cooperation
Permanent mission (Ambassador Dàfne Senna) - Association of Solarian Nations
Solaria: Permanent mission (Ambassador Piera Cordi) - Aurean Forum
Montecara: Permanent mission (Ambassador Amànda Floriàn) - Community of Nations
Kesselbourg City: Permanent mission (Ambassador Telchìde Gliò) - Euclean Community
Kesselbourg City: Observer mission - Euclean Common Defense Treaty Organization
- Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs
Keisi: Permanent mission (Ambassador Ìsota ia Pièdra) - International Council for Democracy
Ashcombe: Permanent mission (Ambassador Elio Maràld) - International Trade Organization
Spálgleann: Permanent mission (Ambassador Ludano Lisi)
- ↑ 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
- File:ImaguaFlag.png Imagua and the Assimas: Embassy (Ambassador Debora Notarangelo)
- Satavia: Embassy (Ambassador Edward Kingsley)
Coius
- Ajahadya: Embassy (Ambassador Gaurav Hardas)
- Jindao, Shangea: Cultural and trade office (Commissioner Lily Tse)
- File:RwizikuruFlag.PNG Rwizikuru: Embassy (Ambassador Munyai Ngonidzashe)
- Senria: Embassy (Ambassador Hirobumi Matumura)
Euclea
- Amathia: Embassy (Ambassador Flavia Comeaga)
- Caldia: Embassy (Ambassador Eithne Ní Leannáin)
- Template:Country data Estmere: Embassy (Ambassador Roger FitzOsbern)
- Gaullica: Embassy (Ambassador Achille Brochard)
- Miersan Federation: Embassy (Ambassador Pankracy Romanowicz)
- Piraea: Embassy (Ambassador Konstantina Glariadi)
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
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.
Foreign aid
In its 2017 state budget, Montecara allocated Ł300 million in aid to developing countries. 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.