Treaty signed with Westarctica

The signature page of the treaty between Austenasia and Westarctica.

 A treaty of mutual recognition and national co-operation was signed yesterday by Emperor Jonathan I with Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica.

The Grand Duchy of Westarctica was founded in 2001, and claims a large part of western Antarctica, which was previously unclaimed by any state or nation.

Austenasia previously recognised Westarctica between 2009 and 2010, but withdrew recognition after the temporary collapse of the Westarctican government. Since then, however, Westarctica has been restored to activity by its founder, and in February 2015 gained non-consultative status with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The Empire resumed recognition of Westarctica earlier this week, upon which negotiations for the treaty immediately begun. A signed copy of the treaty has been deposited in the Imperial Library.

 

Grand Unified Micronational reformed

For much of 2009, the Grand Unified Micronational could have reasonably been described as the United Nations of the MicroWiki community. Earlier today, almost six and a half years after its foundation, the GUM as an international organisation came to an end.

Logo of the Grand Unified Micronational.

The GUM has been through two major reforms in the past – one in February 2012 and another in February 2014 – but today’s reform has seen most of its structures completely disestablished.

After several months of declining activity, a consensus was reached by the member states of the GUM that there was no longer a need for a UN-style organisation in today’s MicroWiki community. Instead, the GUM has been transitioned into what could be described as a Skype-based private members club, with national delegates retained as members and the Chairman – Adam Belcher, who oversaw the transition – remaining as administrator.

Membership of the GUM is now no longer for delegations representing small nations, but rather for politicians and diplomats acting in a personal capacity.

The Empire of Austenasia had formerly been a member state of the GUM since October 2009.

Emperor Jonathan I, Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, and Prince Andrew I (governor of Corinium Terentium) are included in the members of the new GUM.

Imperial Library founded

Part of Section A of the newly-founded Imperial Library.

In celebration of Imperium Day, Emperor Jonathan I has announced the foundation of the Imperial Library.

The Emperor founded the library by an edict this afternoon. Based in the Imperial Residence, the Library contains numerous books and documents, including many relevant to the history of the Empire.

The Imperial Library is in three parts – Section A, the largest, is situated in the Imperial Quarters; Section B, the smallest, in Parliament Hall; and the books in Section C are in storage in the Imperial Attic.

From now on, a copy of every piece of Austenasian legislation will be deposited in the Imperial Library. An online catalogues of the items in the library can be seen here.

Imperium Day is observed every 4 June, in celebration of when, in that day in 2011, the then German Emperor recognised the imperial rank of the Austenasian Throne.

In other news, the Emperor used the edict establishing the Imperial Library to also announce yesterday – 3 June – to have been the first day of Summer 2015 in the Austenasian calendar.