1:49 PM UTC+3, December 18, 2022. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelograd, Kingdom of Pelinai.
Ambassador Hanako Yukijo reviewed a page from a binder full of reference materials for the upcoming meeting with an ambassador from Koros.
”Koros is, relative to Pelinai, extremely socially liberal, somewhat socialist, environmentalist… Were I to make a list of societal characteristics that correlate negatively with a stable friendship with Pelinai, it would quickly become apparent that Koros checks most to all of them. A cordial relationship between our two states is unlikely to prove sustainable in the long term.”
”Perhaps; but embassies should be maintained with most states that are not in or about to be in an active conflict with us.” replied Minister of Foreign Affairs Boris Akirov, who was also preparing materials for the meeting. ”Societal incompatibility or not, there is no outstanding reason to deny an application for an embassy exchange with Koros.”
”Do you believe that there will be any other proposals made?”
”Trade, perhaps. Koros’ heavy industrial base has been completely pulverized by strict environmental protection legislation, and it will need to buy those goods from somewhere. Scientific cooperation or a university exchange program is also possible, though I have not yet been made aware of what the exact contents of such an agreement would be. Nothing more to do about it but continue preparations and wait.”
The primary Ministry of Foreign Affairs building of the Kingdom of Pelinai was situated in the capital city of Pelograd, on the western coast facing the Mediterranean Sea. About an hour’s drive away from the Pelograd International Airport, on one of the many wide avenues lined with small sakura trees and tirelessly patrolled by the officers and stealthily armored vehicles of the Pelinese Gendarmerie, lies the marble-clad structure where Minister Boris Akirov and his staff manage the important and trivial matters alike that compose the Kingdom of Pelinai’s foreign policy. The meeting room itself was sized to accommodate about 50 people, and was centered around a large pill-shaped oak table. Behind the place reserved for Minister Akirov, on the room’s northern end, were hung a Pelinese coat of arms, the seal of the Pelinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a Pelinayaka Orthodox cross. The lighting consisted of fluorescent ceiling lamps typical for an office environment. Outside, a welcoming detail was waiting to greet the diplomats from Koros and escort them to the meeting room upon their arrival.