Oberfalcer annexed as new Territory

Austenasia expanded yet again on Friday 23rd with the annexation of Oberfalcer, a group of fields in south-eastern France.

The founder of the territory, Pierre-Henri Paccard, has been named Governor of Oberfalcer and given the title Duke of Viennensis.

This marks the first time that Austenasia has annexed land from France. Oberfalcer, together with Theodosiopolis, have together been placed in the new Region of Gallia for administrative purposes.

Oberfalcer measures roughly 588,400 square feet.

Diplomatic relations restored between Austenasia and Sandus

A treaty was yesterday signed between Austenasia and the State of Sandus, restoring diplomatic ties between the two nations almost exactly three years after they had been cut by the Austenasian government.

Diplomatic relations with Sandus were suspended by Prime Minister Lord Admiral Kennedy on 27 July 2016, after the Sandum head of state Sogmo Soergel published accusations that Emperor Jonathan I and Shane Cahill (the latter being the then Chair of the GUM) had masterminded a “conspiracy” to exclude Sandus from the organisation.

The accusations were denied, but influenced Cahill’s decision to eventually leave the diplomatic community.

This incident took place in the wake of two years of building tension between Austenasia and Sandus, primarily caused by a combination of international controversy surrounding Sandum policies regarding privacy and a growing friendship between Austenasia and Sandus’ long-time rival Wyvern.

An attempt was made by the government of Überstadt – which has remained a close friend of both nations throughout this period – in October 2016 to mediate between Austenasia and Sandus, but to no avail.

Yesterday’s treaty marks the culmination of discussions which began in November last year, aiming to finally lay to rest the tensions between Austenasia and Sandus.

The treaty includes mutual pledges of non-aggression (both militarily and politically), as well as mutual apologies and grants of forgiveness for any wrongdoings in the past.

Sandus was a close friend of Austenasia over the first half of the decade, with both nations co-operating in the Grand Unified Micronational and in other initiatives. Sogmo Soergel was one of the heads of state hosted by Austenasia in the first state visit to the country, which took place on 15 July 2012.

Although it seems unlikely that Austenasia and Sandus will share such a strong friendship again, this treaty has gone a long way to restoring goodwill by putting the hostility between the two nations in the past.