Foreign Policy of Kouralia
The Foreign Policy of the Crown Union is the collected body of political and administrative decision-making of the state as it pertains to the relationships between Kouralia and either other nations or to international bodies such as the Gryningsvägen Alliansen.
According to Kouralian Law, the people vest absolute authority in the physical, inanimate object of the Crown. This authority is then delegated to a number of offices of state according to the division of responsibility in the Twelve Statutes-Principal. When it comes to establishing and maintaining relations with foreign nations, the exercise of this power on a day-to-day basis delegated to the Gyusticiaræ Per'Ynvieryn, or the Justiciar for Foreign Affairs. They are the cabinet-level politician of the Central Coronial Government responsible for the Foreign Affairs Justiciary. In addition to the Gyusticiaræ Per'Ynvieryn, both the Crownbearer and the Crown-Captain of Justiciars have roles to play in major foreign policy decisions - though the former's participation is almost universally ceremonial in nature. Furthermore, in line with the general principles set out in the Statutes-Principal, any foreign policy decision that is held to remove or adversely affect the exercise of enshrined Principal Rights by Kouralian citizens must be ratified by the Senate, as must any declaration of war and certain other major decisions.
Kouralia's relationship with the rest of Mystria was strained until the turn of the millennium and the start of the 21st century, primarily due to the tyrannical Republican Administration which was overthrown during the Millennial War. That Republican period of Kouralian history was marked by discriminatory speciesist policies, a withdrawing from cooperative international politics, and extreme right-wing economic and political government. For this reason bilateral diplomatic effort was minimal at best, and a number of countries formally recognised the Crown-in-Exile as the legitimate government of the nation. Since the restitution of the Crown however, Kouralia has sought to establish mutually beneficial and cooperative relationships with other nations, and has both expanded its diplomatic footprint abroad and encouraged other nations to do the same in Kouralia.
Unlike many other countries, Kouralia does not itself the terms 'Ambassador' or 'Embassy' to describe its senior diplomats or diplomatic missions abroad, neither does it recognise any distinction in precedence between a Legation and an Embassy as is common in other cultures. It may be that terms like 'Ambassador' and 'Embassy' are used in Mystrian Common when referring to foreign diplomats accredited to the Kouralian Crown, but that is a concession to predicted unfamiliarity with this practice.
Foreign Affairs Justiciary
Foreign Service Secretariat
Kouralian diplomatic personnel are predominantly drawn from the Foreign Service Secretariat of the Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps, including both those who work in Kouralia itself and those who are employed on services in missions abroad. This ranges from the lowest policy researcher through to the seniormost Legate-Envoy accredited to the Gryningsvägen Alliansen, though junior menial and domestic roles in foreign-based posts are typically filled by locally-recruited staff. Other exceptions to this general rule include certain attachés whose specialist expertise necessitate being drawn from other government departments. Staffing in the secretariat is divided into a number of grades to form a management hierarchy, with the senior-most grades being referred to as the Foreign Service Legatine Secretariat (FSLS) while more junior grades are referred to as the 'Delegated Grades.'
The Head of the Foreign Service Secretariat is currently First & Principal Secretary-General Sir Fræſya aþ'Auſt, a career diplomat who has previously served as Legate-Envoy to Malgrave among other roles. In addition to that role, she is the senior civil servant within the Foreign Affairs Justiciary and is anwerable directly to the Gyusticiaræ Per'Ynvieryn. Her position as Head of the Foreign Service Secretariat puts her on a par with the Clerk-General of the Adjutant Clerk Corps who is responsible for the entire of the Adjutant Clerk Corps and who therefore notionally has authority over her. However, excepting in misconduct matters of breaching the Code for Adjutant Clerks where the Clerk-General has overall authority, by convention the Foreign Service Secretariat is professionally and operationally independent of the wider Adjutant Clerk Corps. Sir Fræſya is presently the only individual graded as a First & Principal Secretary-General though it is in theory possible, for multiple people to hold that grade as occurs in the wider Adjutant Clerk Corps. Given the Foreign Service Secretariat only serves one Justiciary, it is likely that any such appointments would be for Legates-Envoy to the most prestigious intergovernmental organisations or Kouralia's closest and most prominent allies.
There are currently around 15,000 personnel within the Foreign Service Secretariat, of whom approximately 8,000 are 'Generalist' diplomatic staff at home or abroad.
Legates-Envoy
The term Legate-Envoy (in High Kouralian, Legatæ-Ynvierei) is the correct term in Kouralian for an ambassador accredited to a foreign country. They hold a specified Coronial Office like the Legatæ-Lecionem of the military, derived from the ancient practice of drawing the foremost of Kurtonyc diplomats from the senior ranks of its military. A Legate-Envoy does not hold the power to command military personnel in the name of the Crown, but uses other authorities vested in their office to act and speak for the Crown as a diplomat. It is said that, like a military legate, a Legate-Envoy embodies Kouralia itself in their person.
The Head of Legation for a Kouralian Legation is always a Legate-Envoy, as that is from where their authority to treat with other nations derives. Most missions will have two Legates on their staff unless they are particularly minor, as the Deputy Head of Legation will often be a more junior Legate, and in some missions there will be three or more. Legates-Envoy come in two grades, those of the 'Broad Band' and those of the 'Narrow Band', depending on their seniority. Traditionally those of the Broad Band are appointed from the grade of Secretary-General and notionally from the grade of First & Principal Secretary General. Those of the Narrow Band are appointed from the grade of Assistant Secretary-General and Undersecretary-General.
Legate-Envoys can be appointed to a number of types of post, notwithstanding that a member of the Foreign Service Seretariat might be serving otherwise than as a Legate-Envoy:
- Legate-Envoy-in-Residence is the quintessential 'ambassadorial' role whereupon the Legate-Envoy is accredited to the government of another nation.
- Legate-Envoy-At-Large is a position for a Legate who represents Kouralia in a given field, such as encompassing multiple nations in a geographic area or to address a specific policy area. One example of this is the Legate-Envoy-At-Large for International Justice & Cooperation.
- Permanent Legate-Envoy-Representative is the formal title of a post whereby the Legate-Envoy represents Kouralia at an international organisation such as the Gryningsvägen Alliansen.
The Office of Legate-Envoy comes with its own ceremonial 'Full Dress' and 'Undress' uniforms which bears similarity to that of the Vygelas Ynvierei in terms of colour. The uniforms consist of a deep turquoise cloth with white facings and golden decorative embroidery, with variants specified with a primary colour of white for tropical climates and a double-breasted greatcoat for cold-weather locales.
The Full Dress uniform consists of a knee-length undertunica in turquoise or white whose kilt-like lower half is pleated to the rear. A closed-collar tunic of turquoise or white cloth with white facings is worn over the top of this garment, with the volume and intricacy of the gold decorative embroidery changing depending on whether it is the Full or Undress uniform and depending on the Diplomatic Rank of the Legate. This diplomatic rank is signified by metal insignia worn on epaulettes, with the Full-Dress variants being enamelled in full-colour with felt backing. Low-cut sandal-esque shoes of bulled black leather with decorative cross-strapping over the insole are worn in warm and temperate climates, while cold weather variants specify a riding boots worn with a shorter, shirt-like undertunica tucked into white-piped turquoise trousers. Undress uniform eschews the kilt-like undertunica, and always reverts to turquoise trousers. The Full Dress uniform is worn with a waist sash of gold-edged white ribbon that is used to hold the black leather baldric for a straight-sword scabbard to the wearer's left side. It is rare for the undress uniform to be worn with a sword, but where that is required, the scabbard is attached to a Sam Browne belt of bulled black leather. Both Full Dress and Undress specify a black cocked hat be worn as headdress, though that for the Undress features no decoration - lacking a turquoise and white plume, cockade or golden embroidery. A further 'Service' Uniform is specified by regulations, featuring an open-collar tunic and being modeled on the standard military Service Dress uniforms. This uniform is disused by Legates however, and Legates-Envoy are be expected to wear a formal suit in all circumstances not requiring Full or Undress uniforms, excepting those on Service to the Constitutional Empire of Rohane Alista.
As with all Legates, following appointment to the office one is entitled to continue using postnominals of LegY (ret.), even if one continues gainful employment within the profession otherwise than as a Legate-Envoy.
Diplomatic Rank
Grand Legate-General |
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of Broad-Band |
Master General |
Senior-most Executives at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | |||
of Broad-Band |
General |
Deputy HoL for highest precedence missions Senior Executives at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | |||
of Narrow-Band |
Vice-General |
Seniormost Consul in a major mission Head of Department at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | |||
of Narrow-Band |
Legate |
Seniormost Consul in a most missions Deputy HoL at most missions Departmental Executive at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | |||
Diplomatic Officer |
Departmental lead at largest diplomatic missions Departmental management at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | ||||
Diplomatic Officer |
Senior management at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | ||||
Diplomatic Officer |
Middle management at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | ||||
Diplomatic Officer |
Junior management at Foreign Affairs Justiciary | ||||
Diplomatic Officer |
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Diplomatic Officer |
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Diplomatic Officer |
Senior Administrative and Research Staff | ||||
Diplomatic Assistant |
(Locally-recruited staff eligible for this grade) | ||||
(Locally-recruited staff eligible for this grade) | |||||
Vygelas Ynvierei
The Vygelas Ynvierei, or Legatine Guard is a branch of the Foreign Service Secretariat which is responsible for security at Kouralian diplomatic missions abroad. As a department within the Secretariat they are responsible for premises security, close protection, threat analysis, counter-intelligence, and cyber-security. There are a number of career paths open within the Legatine Guard, ranging from that of a generalist 'Watchstander' through to analytical, investigative, and technical specialists.
Whereas career diplomats tend to stick to the Foreign Services Secretariat, while policy, research, and other technical roles can frequently transfer between Justiciaries, the Legatine Guard predominantly consists of suitably-qualified law enforcement or military personnel on temporary or permanent secondment. The trade within the department with the largest turnover is that of Watchstander, who are uniformed security personnel. Many of them are infantrymen or Watch Constables who will undertake a secondment of just over a year before determining that the role is not for them. However, on succssful completion of that year it is not uncommon for personnel to apply for their secondment to be made permanent, and to become career Watchstanders. Such personnel can even diversity into other trades through training and qualifications offered by the Legatine Guard Headquarters Depot and even command detachments as the Security Attache.
Most Chanceries will feature a small, dedicated security staff - even if it is as small as one or two officers monitoring CCTV and conducting rounds of the building 24/7 and a manager. Chanceries with a larger presence will usually feature commensurately larger security teams as befits their increased status and the chance of their staff or premises targeted by espionage or criminal acts, while consulates may or may not feature dedicated security personnel depending on the circumstances. The largest Legatine Guard presence is at the Kouralian Embassy to Caltris, which sees further significant presences at consular premises in order to mitigate the threat posed by megafauna.
The senior Legatine Guard posted to a given embassy is referred to as the Centenar-Ynvier or Envoy-Centurion, and acts as Security Attache to the diplomatic mission. The Centenar-Ynvier is formally graded as a 'Superintending Leading Diplomatic Security Officer' by trade, though the martial affectations of the department sees them adopt a uniform and terminology akin to that of a Grand Legion Centenar. They are responsible for advising the Legate-Envoy on the threat picture within the nation insofar as it could impact on the Mission and its work, liaising with the law enforcement attache to coordinate any executive law enforcement or security activities in the nation, and managing the Legatine Guard staff posted within the country.
Whilst the size of their staff and the necessity of these functions will vary depending on the size and precedence of the mission, and stability of the country it is based in, the Envoy-Centurion will likely have responsibility for a number of functions:
- A Watchstanding Cadre at each relevant site, which will be responsible for managing the physical security of that premises day and night.
- A Motorpool Section with responsibility for maintaining and managing the mission's automobiles, as well as for chauffeuring and escorting those denior diplomats who merit that service, ensuring their security when away from the mission.
- A Close Protection Section may have further responsibility for accompanying the person of the Legate-Envoy and other senior diplomats as a separate team to the Motorpool Section if the security risk is heightened.
- Security Engineering Officers work with the Justiciary when planning, constructing or purchasing, and occupying Chanceries to 'design-out' weaknesses that might give attackers, criminals, or intelligence gatherers opportunities to exploit.
- Surveillance Detection Officers are technical specialists who work at the Chancery and alongside diplomats in transit to identify and counteract efforts by third parties to surveil the Mission.
- A Threat Analysis Section is responsible for liaising with the security services and law enforcement of the host country and at home in Kouralia, as well as analysing intelligence reports generated organically by the Mission in order to assess the risk and threat to the Chancery and its staff, and inform the working of the other departments.
- A Legatine Special Inspector is a dedicated criminal investigator who may work alongside host nation law enforcement to assist them in investigating criminal offences committed against the Chancery and its staff, as well as carrying out counter-intelligence and misconduct or criminal investigations within the Chancery itself.
- An Office Manager and Administration Section may be required in larger detachments to compartmentalise the often highly sensitive administrative work performed by the detachment.
Many Legatine Guard roles are non-uniformed, particularly those which involve travelling outside of the Mission itself. However, some roles such as Watchstanders involve wearing turquoise and white coloured uniform inspired by the Full Dress and Undess uniforms of the Legatine-Envoys. This includes an open-collar 'Service Dress' akin to the No.2 uniform worn by the military and City Watches, as well as a shirt-sleeves or woollen pull-over akin to the so-called 'Barracks Dress.' These may be worn with personal protective equipment, including firearms and body armour, depending on the nature of the duty being carried out. Whilst typically rare, Watchstanding in high risk areas such as D'halbrisir may have access to combat uniforms and small-arms akin to those carried Kouralian infantrymen.
Diplomatic Missions
Kouralian Legations Abroad
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Foreign Embassies in Kouralia
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Foreign Relations
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Intergovernmental Organisations
| Subject Organisation | Date Joined | Representative | Policy |
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June 7th, 2013
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Permanent Commissioner to the Crown Charter,
Royal Legate Sir Chendryc Arðryne BCW |
Words Words Words |
Nation-States
| Subject Nation | Foreign Envoy | Kouralian Envoy | Relations |
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Free Kingdom of Allanea
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Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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Great Civilisation of the C'tan
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Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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Ambassador Fetris Malson
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Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
Crystal Spires's International relation with Kouralia is one of general mutual friendliness and also cooperation on trade and mutual interests of peace. There is optimism that Kouralia could be a strong ally with more contact with Crystal Spires. Kouralian assistance on natural and post-nefreedian war recovery has helped to bolster support of Kouralians and give Spires a very positive impression of the Kouralians, and their propensity to blend with Spires with their beliefs in honor and politeness also contribute to the belief that Kouralians are not normal humans, and are instead tea blooded humans. There are existing Agreements on Free Trade, a Military Alliance, Cultural Exchange, Information Exchange, Intelligence Exchange and Emergency Aid Relief | |
Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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The Greater Pony Herd of Urmanian
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Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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Theocratic Hobbiest Republic Empire
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Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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Ambasadör Harkon auf Bigerhol of the foreign relation advisory
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Royal Legate
Sir Vy aþe’Myesco BCW |
Kouralia is officially considered "decent chaps" by the absolute royal federation, if Kouralia is a high culture or not remains to be seen but most government officials and more politically active and well read subjects seems to favour Kouralian co-operation, closer ties, and even evaluation to that rank. Especially uneducated subjects generally inquires if it is a type of cornflakes, why just cornflakes remains a mystery however. All in all so does the absolute royal federation see Kouralia as trustworthy, sympathetic, but not entirely as grown up as themselves, more akin to a younger brother that require some slight guidance here and there. Preferable from a lovable mentor who's wisdom the younger brother eagerly soaks in, why the Kouralians are not entirely on board with immediate adopting Scanderan customs and political organisation is not entirely understood, and is a bit hurtful to be honest. They also seems to hang with the wrong crowd from time to time.
Kouralia on the other hand considers Imeriata somewhat of a problematic older relative: there are ties, and its words are respected, but sometimes the Union would wish that the Federation would not put its foot in it so readily. Kouralia and Imeriata have cooperated on a vague and nebulous level quite frequently, but it has only been in the Spring of 2017 when any actual hard agreements have been made for cooperation and the advantage of both naions - and still no state visits have been made by either to the other. | |
Ambassador Kate Smullen
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Royal Pro-Legate
Sir Kataryah Astorleni BCW, KB |
Kouralia is commonly regarded as one of Malgrave's closest allies in the international community, and this 'special relationship' has been cemented over the years with agreements signed covering international trade, intelligence sharing and student exchange programs. In 2017 following the The Great Humiliation War Kouralian forces began training members of the Territorial Defence Force, something for which Crown Princess Elena Campbell was awarded the honourary title 'Protector of Ascension.' Kouralia's opinion of the United Kingdom is similarly high, both in terms of cultural respect and closeness of association. Kouralian priorities are traditionally in-line with Malgravean ones, and the two nations have worked together multiple times to achieve results on the international stage. | |
Eternal Ascendancy of Menelmacar
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Tercáno
Calamaethor nos Loslóriel |
Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
The Eternal Ascendancy of Menelmacar has, while not especially close with the Kouralians, long been generally approving and fond of Kouralian policy. The two nations have rarely significantly disagreed on an issue, and the Menelmacari are generally approving of both cultural similarities and gracious concessions by Kouralia in areas like concealed carry or gravitic vehicle licensing by and for Menelmacari nationals in Kouralia. A long history exists of trade relations and joint military exercises; it has become customary for the Menelmacari representatives to such maneuvers to treat their Kouralian counterparts to drinks afterwards. The Eternal Ascendancy is explicitly interested in further upgrading relations with Kouralia. From the Kouralian perspective it has often been proposed that Kouralia and the Menelmacari are, of the three main participants in the Grynings Vagen and the three main Inter-Planetary FTL nations concerning themselves with Mystria and the Pony Lands, the most ideal of partners. Kouralia respects and appreciates Menelmacari culture and thinking, at least compared to most other nations. However there has been little effort to progress the current relationship between the two powers, in part due to the oft-criticised diplomacy of the Travers Captaincy. As part of the manifesto in the lead-up to the 2017 General Election, the Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas did promise greater ties with and involvement in the inter-planetary diplomatic and commercial stage, and while there was no explicit mention of particular nations, popular thought is that the Menelmacari are the most amenable option. |
Royal Legate
Name Namesson |
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Country
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Diplomatic Missions
In Kouralia
While it is common for nations to operate Consulates in many cities across Kouralia, almost all Embassy Chanceries are located in the Legatine Quarter of Kurton. This is a secure district which is actually surrounded by fences, walls, gates, and other security measures designed to blend seamlessly into the urban landscape and architecture of the Kouralian capital while effectively allowing the Legatine Guard to monitor and control access to the district. Most Chanceries are four-story town buildings in a traditional style, all constructed at the same time as part of an attempt to modernise the district and add a sense of uniformity. Some however, are larger buildings or small compounds, as befits the greater importance apportioned to the nation in question. Among the larger chanceries which are located outside the Legatine Quarter are the Imerian, the C'tani, Spirean, and Coalition of Northern States'.
Abroad
Abroad the average Kouralian legation will be based in a town-house sized building, though large. It will usually contain a garage, office-space for staffers, personal offices for senior figures in the legation, and space for security, catering, and service staff. Some chanceries may contain a personal apartment for the Legate-in-Residence, but that depends on local construction. Kouralia endeavours to ensure that all chanceries follow a similar construction and decoration scheme, so that no matter where a Kouralian citizen finds themselves in the world there is always an element of reassuringly familiar home nearby. Security at Kouralian Chanceries is provided by the Legatine Guard, a unique regiment of the Kouralian military which is not aligned with any of the three services. They can provide security details all the way up to company-sized formations akin to the National Air Force's Air-Ground Auxiliary.
Usually a Kouralian Legation will, at least, have the following figures in its staff:
- Chief of Mission - synonymous with Legate-in-Residence.
- Deputy Chief of Mission - The second senior-most diplomat in the mission, acting as a deputy, chief of staff, and de facto ombudsman.
- Consul - Responsible for providing consular services to citizens of Kouralia and or citizens of the host nation, and promoting relations. May not be the Consul-General, if the Consulate-General is located on a different premises.
- Passport Control Officer - Responsible for supervising distribution of passports and other official identification documents abroad.
- Military Commissioner - An expert, senior military officer assigned to the embassy to advise the Legate, liaise with the host military, and gather intelligence. Can also be assisted by a Deputy, a Naval Commissioner, and an Air Commissioner in large legations.
- Trade Commissioner - Responsible for promoting free-trade and export agreements.
- Agricultural Commissioner - Responsible for reporting on agricultural, environmental, and other matters.
- Cultural Commissioner - Responsible for promoting the culture of Kouralia to the host nation.
- Scientific Commissioner - Responsible for advising the Legate on scientific matters, and for facilitating scientific cooperation abroad.
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