The Quintuple Entente (WEST)

[Avalanche]

Aragon separately disseminates to the members of WEST a list of nations to immediately begin collectively reaching out to to bring into the alliance. The list consists of nations in the BeNeLux, Baltic, and Scandinavian regions, due to their agreeable politics and proximity to hostile nations, as well as those amenable neighbours of current members. Our efforts should be concerted and coordinated, to bring about the best results.

[Avalanche]

The first council, at the new WEST headquarters in Edinburgh, between the representatives, variously ministers of defence and state and heads of government, of the member states, was held. The West Europe Council immediately proceeded to establish the Defence Committee, consisting of the member's ministers of defence, to work on plans for integrated defence and arms and equipment production programs.The WEC then moved to the topics of the threats arrayed against WEST and the outreach to potential new members.

Due to its roles ideologically and materially supporting such regimes as the Soviets, West France, South Italy, North Mexico, and many others, as well as its enabling, exploitation, and support of Victorian imperialism, Aragon believes the greatest threat to security in West Europe and its allies is posed by the Socialist Republics of America, as while Victoria's shadow looms over all of us, the SRA is present and malignant. Where the Victorians practically descend from the heavens to deliver their will, the SRA plots and schemes with the most dangerous breeds of communism, that we can all agree are a serious threat.

Next is the matter of new members. First are those who were relegated to associate status in the precipitating WEST summit. Aragon offers Mexico and Syria invitations to petition for full membership, their acceptance of which would put them to renewed votes by the WEC. Aragon urges Germany to reconsider its previous stance, arguing that the fuller integration of such powerful militaries would be an invaluable step up in terms of the defensive firepower we have behind us.

Second, are those who sit on our borders, who regardless of attitude would be seriously affected by our involvement in a major war. Aragon extends invitations to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bavaria, and Denmark to petition for membership with WEST, offering guaranteed observer status if their petitions are not approved by the WEC.

Finally, Aragon puts forward that if we are to fight together, we must train together, and so consequently we must coordinate regular international military exercises across air, land, and sea. A semi-annual schedule and rotating host is suggested, with Germany as the first land exercise host, Aragon as the first air host, and Italy as the first sea host, with the first of each to be held next year.

[Markus Wilding]

The Celtic Union and Germany second the nomination for Edinburgh.

The Celtic Union and Germany vote in favor for full membership for Syria and Mexico, provided of course the new Mexican monarch intends to actually listen to Mexico's allies.

Germany votes in favor for the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Bavaria, but votes against Denmark.

The Celtic Union votes in favor for all.

[Avalanche]

With Aragon's confidence, the Empire of Mexico is promoted from Associate status to Full Membership in WEST, making them fully party to the treaty and giving them a vote in the WEC.

Formal invitations are extended to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Bavaria offering membership in WEST. Given the support heretofore, their acceptance of the invitation and becoming signatories of WEST will grant them full membership immediately.

The Defence Committee returns to the WEC with its initial proposals. They advise the following points, which may be accepted for further consideration individually or as a whole:

• Negotiation of an "opt-in" free trade agreement between members with regulation overseen by the WEC. This will be the framework for further economic cooperation and integration between members.
• International investment in German industry to strengthen their economy and modernise their machinery to the standards of other members. This will allow Germany to better fulfill the purpose of providing for defense mutual and domestic.
• Proliferation of the FEFA design between members, facilitated by coordinated manufacturing between those members capable to equip those who are not. We hope that this might be the first of many joint projects that will both ensure a technological edge wielded by all of WEST and ease logistics during joint operations.
• Negotiation of an international space research agreement between members, to allow use of advanced space facilities possessed by certain members by all members. This will be a precursor to a multinational space program to coordinate and combine disparate satellite networks and to pursue manned spaceflight, cementing Europe a place as a modern and technologically inclined force on the world stage.
• Regular cross-training of national forces to prepare them to fight defensively in each others territories and alongside each other in joint deployments. This is already being pursued coarsely with semiannual wargames, but it is believed that more consistent smaller-scale programs will fill the gaps that those large-scale events necessarily miss.

[Markus Wilding]

Germany, France and the Celtic Union agree to the free trade agreement, the industrial investment proposal for Germany, and cross-training wargames. France and the Celtic Union are in favor of the space research agreement, while Germany considers it more beneficial to divert funds towards other realms. France and Germany are interested in the FEFA design, but the Celtic Union is not as invested in the project.

[Avalanche]

A space research agreement will be formed between interested parties. The details of such an agreement are beyond the WEC and are to be handed off to a new Space Committee, which will be responsible for determining the best course of action for and coordinating the implementation of such an agreement.

A policy of international small-scale cross-training will be implemented. A subcommittee of the Defence Committee is established to oversee the scheduling and operations of matters pursuant to this policy. Further details will be devolved to the subcommittee.

Next round, Aragon will begin uplifting Germany to Tier 1.

Aragon will deliver 1 point of Fighters (of the FEFA/Cuervo/F-15A design) each to France and Germany annually to their satisfaction. Once Aragon no longer needs to commit as many resources to outfitting their own units, freed-up production will be diverted to and split between France and Germany. Initial deliveries will take place by 1976. I would recommend Solar have Italy do similar, either at half the rate now or once he has enough of his own, to speed up the process, but it's not important enough to make it a whole thing which is why I'm just slotting it in here.

[Markus Wilding]

Bavaria and the Netherlands have rejected the invitation to WEST.

Luxembourg has expressed interest in joining WEST.

[Avalanche]

We understand Bavaria's and the Netherland's reluctance, and we will endeavour to maintain amicable relations with our friendly neighbours.

Luxembourg is now a member of WEST. They may expect a short transitional period as they are brought up to speed and integrated into the alliance properly.

[Avalanche]

WEST extends an offer of humanitarian assistance to the Netherlands in dealing with their German Flu outbreak, to ensure a speedy resolution to the issue.

[Avalanche]

With the Kingdom of Chad under siege by its neighbours, the matter of intervention is put to the WEC. Though the Kingdom of Chad is neither signatory to WEST nor within its scope for necessary action, it must nonetheless be recognised that as a supporter of the French Republic and as a nation unjustly threatened by malicious actors acting in concert, there is cause for WEST to weigh in on the matter, if only to guarantee the sovereignty and security of a country in need.

Aragon is in favour of some sort of intervention. A unanimous agreement by all voting parties is required for an official action. Unofficial actions taken independently are encouraged to be directed through WEST channels to benefit from our network.