The Quintuple Entente (WEST)

[Avalanche]

The Governments of the Principality of Aragon and the French Republic summon ambassadors from the Kingdom of Italy, the Republic of Germany, and the Celtic Union to Lyon to discuss the ratification of a formal international treaty to supplant and enhance the ad-hoc Joint Allied Command Headquarters, France and the individual understandings that have been negotiated up to this point. Representatives from the Republic of Syria, Empire of Mexico, and Kingdom of Chad, for their place in the JACHQF, have been invited to attend the talks as observers. These observers may be individually granted voting seats in this summit at the unanimous consent of the assembled European nations. Once these opening matters have been addressed, a prepared draft of the treaty will be proposed for modification and amendment to the satisfaction of the voting parties prior to a signing. Afterwards, a follow-up, more in-depth meeting will be arranged to determine the particulars of those matters which the treaty language leaves for such further discussion.

[Markus Wilding]

Germany, Italy, the Celtic Union, Syria and Mexico all accepted the invitation. Chad's response indicated that it was not interested in deals beyond JACHQF and therefore saw no purpose behind the invitation.

[Avalanche]

First order of business: which, if any, observers should be given voting seats in this summit, as the treaty is foremost concerned with European matters and is founded on the principle of European self-determination, so it must be by our consent that we allow overseas nations a say in our politics.

The Mexican seat will be decided first. A vote is put to the voters present, Germany, Italy, the Celtic Union, France, and Aragon: to give Mexico a voting seat. It must be unanimous to pass.

Aragon votes aye.

[Markus Wilding]

Mexican voting seat

France and the Celtic Union vote yes. Germany and Italy vote no.

[Avalanche]

Mexico will retain its observer status at this summit and be guaranteed an associate status with the WEST organisation.

Next, the matter of giving Syria a voting seat. Same procedure as for Mexico.

Aragon will vote with the majority.

[Markus Wilding]

France, the Celtic Union and Italy vote yes. Germany votes no.

[Avalanche]

Syria will retain its observer status at this summit and be guaranteed an associate status with the WEST organisation.

The prepared treaty draft will be now be proposed. The French representative will now take the stand for a reading of the West Europe Security Treaty. Copies will be distributed for review afterwards. At that point, objections may be voiced and amendments proposed. Once the discussion has concluded amicably, all present may sign the final authentic copy.

The Treaty is as follows:

The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments.

They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of justice, liberty, and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the West Europe area.

They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and autonomy. They therefore agree to this West Europe Treaty:

I. The Parties undertake to settle any international dispute that may be resolved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace, security, and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat of force.

II. The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them.

III. In order to more effectively achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

IV. The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the Parties is threatened.

V. The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually or in concert with other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the West Europe area.

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

VI. Each Party declares that none of the international agreements now in force between it and any other of the Parties or any third State is in conflict with the provisions of this Treaty, and undertakes not to enter into any international agreement in conflict with this Treaty.

VII. The Parties hereby establish a Council, on which each of them shall be represented, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty.

• The Council shall be so organised as to be able to meet promptly at any time.
• The Council shall set up such subsidiary bodies as may be necessary;
• in particular it shall establish immediately a defence committee which shall recommend measures for the implementation of Articles III and V.

IIX. The Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the West Europe area to accede to this Treaty.

• Any State so invited may become a Party to this Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Government of the Principality of Aragon.
• The Government of the Principality of Aragon will inform each of the Parties of the deposit of each such instrument of accession.

IX. This Treaty shall be ratified and its provisions carried out by the Parties in accordance with their respective legal processes. The Treaty shall enter into force between the States which have ratified it as soon as the majority of the signatories have been deposited and shall into effect with respect to other States on the date of the deposit of their ratifications.

X. After the Treaty has been in force for ten years, or at any time thereafter, the Parties shall, if any of them so requests, consult together for the purpose of reviewing the Treaty, having regard for the factors then affecting peace and security in the West Europe area, including the development of universal as well as regional arrangements for the maintenance of international peace and security.

XI. After the Treaty has been in force for twenty years, any Party may cease to be a Party one year after its notice of denunciation has been given to the Government of the Principality of Aragon, which will inform the Governments of other Parties of the deposit of each notice of denunciation.

XII. This Treaty, of which the French and English texts are equally authentic, shall be archived by the Government of the Principality of Aragon and duly certified copies shall be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of other signatories.

[Markus Wilding]

Italy propose an amendment which defines what a "European state" is as possible membership from CIS states worries Milan. The Celtic Union sees no reason for this amendment. Germany and France are unconvinced but could be swayed.

Germany proposes some form of article which gives a legal case for intervention in European states should there be untoward influence (specifically American or Victorian influence) that represents a grievous threat to member states. France and Italy support this measure.

[Avalanche]

Aragon is of the opinion that being party to the CIS would pose sufficient conflict of interest that such an applicant ought to be rejected for not being able to fulfill the requirements of Article VI. As such, Aragon agrees with the Celtic Union that it is unnecessary to define 'European state'.

Aragon also supports the German proposition, and offers the following language to amend the treaty with:

IVa. Should the infiltration of interests unaligned with or antagonistic to any of the Parties into Europe, in the opinion of any of them, present a sufficient threat to the peace and stability of any Party or the entire Europe area, the Parties will consult together for the purpose of addressing the threat.

[Avalanche]

With the discussion concluded amicably and the final treaty signed, there is one final matter before this summit is adjourned: the first meeting of the Council, which shall take place once Article IX has allowed the Treaty to come into force. The Council will consist of each Party's highest military leader, whose presence in future may be substituted by a designated permanent military representative that should reside near the Organisation's headquarters so as to facilitate the stipulation of Article VII regarding promptness of meeting. The first meeting will largely exist to address the implementation of Articles III, V, and VII. We would suggest either Galway or Edinburgh as the host for the headquarters, due to their security from attack by land and their relative distance from nations hostile to us.