The Foreign Affairs Department
The Foreign Affairs Department of the Confederation of the Small Magellanic Cloud guides the way in which it interacts with foreign nations, alliances, factions, and powers. As a great power and emerging superpower, CoSMaC's foreign policy and strategic thinking must play a key role in shaping interstellar and intergalactic relations. CoSMaC officially states that it unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to preserve CoSMaC's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for CoSMaC's member states, maintain universal peace and order as well as propelling common development. CoSMaC foreign policy is to adhere to the realist rather than the liberal school of international relations theory. Thus, CoSMaC is not devoted to advancing any higher international ideological interests such as communism or democracy. Ideology will be secondary to advancing the Confederation's galactic interests.
The objectives for CoSMaC's Foreign Relations Department are listed below, though this policy may be expanded or contracted upon a 2/3 majority vote of the legislature and the signature of the Executive:
Nations whose goals and objectives are counter to that of CoSMaC's will not be eligible for foreign aid, nor will nations who are considered "Enemies of the Confederation". All aid will be either tied or partially tied, meaning that they will have restrictions on useage. Nations found in violation of that usage will be charged back the aid amount and denied aid requests in the future.
The Confederation of the Small Magellanic Cloud's Foreign Affairs Department will be headed by the Director of Foreign Affairs. While the Executive of the Faction is a leading influence in CoSMaC Foreign Affairs, the Director of Foreign Affairs is the person who is considered the diplomatic point of contact for nations external to CoSMaC and has the authority to assign diplomatic liasons, emissaries, envoys, ambassadors, and other foreign affairs posts as needed. The Director is charged with providing insight to the Executive and Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs concerning the state of international affairs. The Director of Foreign Affairs acts as a sort of Secretary of State for the Faction, with broader powers to make temporary agreements for non-aggression treaties, cease-fires, and other forms of diplomatic agreements; awaiting further approval and extension by the legislature and executive of CoSMaC.
The Director of Foreign Affairs has the authority to create these temporary agreements for a period of 48 hours. At the end of the 48 hour period, if the legislature and executive do NOT approve an extension or full agreement, the Foreign Affairs agreement expires and a new one will need to be drafted to continue. Being that Foreign Assistance will play a key role in CoSMaC Foreign Affairs, the Director of Foreign Affairs has the power to grant humanitarian aid, disaster relief, emergency asylum, and rights of passage through the Small Magellanic Cloud (In collaboration with the Customs and Military Commands). International Trade and Commerce are also key components to the Foreign Affairs Department and are to be handled by the Director of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Director of the Economy, the Director of Trade, and the Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs.
From time to time, members of other nations, factions, alliances, or groupings will come to CoSMaC and request various treaties and agreements with the Faction. The Director of Foreign Affairs is the person responsible for beginning the process on these treaties. Once the request is made, the Director is to meet with the Foreign Relations Official for the approaching party, discussing the hoped for terms, outlinging CoSMaC objectives and positions, and then presenting the treaty or agreement to the Diplomatic Board, the Legislature, and the Executive. Once a decision is made, the Director of Foreign Affairs or a designated representative can relay that information and either have the treaty signed or declined - based upon the ruling of the Legislature. If a treaty or agreement is found to be in violation of the CoSMaC Constitution, then it can be nullified by the Director of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs, or the Executive of the Faction at any time.
Types of Treaties and Agreements
Treaty of Non-Aggression: Commonly referred to as a Non-Aggression Pact or NAP, this agreement states that no hostilities will arise between signing parties (nations, factions, alliances, etc represented) on a military scale. Rather, all escalations and issues would first be attempted through the Diplomatic Channels available at the Director of Foreign Affairs' Office. This is a preliminary form of alliance building and often leads to numerous other agreements and treaties if honored.
Treaty of Mutual Defense: Commonly known as a Mutual Defense Pact or an MDP, this agreement states that CoSMaC is entering into an agreement to back, protect, and defend an allied nation, faction, alliance, or group and vice versa should a war or armed conflict break out. This agreement also states that CoSMaC Diplomats will be assigned to attempt negotiations on behalf of our allies to resolve the conflict. This treaty generally involves members of the Military Board.
Treaty of Free or Fair Trade: This agreement states that CoSMaC and another nation, faction, alliance, or group are entering into a trade related treaty whereby taxes on goods imported and exported are either reduced or eliminated. This treaty will include specific types of materials and goods that are sold between CoSMaC and the signing party and will identify them as either "Free Trade" or "Fair Trade". A free trade agreement indicates that there are no tariffs or hold-ups between CoSMaC and the signing party. A fair trade agreement indicates taht there are reduced tariffs on items. This treaty generally involves the Director of Trade and the Director of the Economy.
Peace Keeping Treaty: This agreement states that another nation, faction, alliance, or group is contracting CoSMaC troops to maintain order and peace in a troubled area. This treaty will vary from agreement to agreement with specific terms. This is among the least commonly used treaties. These treaties require both Legislature and Executive approval and require a time frame.
Joint Security Treaty: This agreement indicates that CoSMaC and another nation, faction, alliance, or group are entering into a new phase of their relationship. The JST states that CoSMaC and the signing party are entering into a joint security pact, allowing for joint training missions of the military, equal patrol rights to both CoSMaC and the signing parties territories, cooperation between CoSMaC law enforcement and military and those of the signing party. These treaties generally involve the Military Board.
Enemies of The Faction
The Confederation of the Small Magellanic Cloud will not consort, speak with, or have diplomatic contact with nations, factions, alliances, or groups that they consider to be "Enemies of The Faction". This designation is assigned by the Boards of Diplomatic Affairs and Military Affairs, confirmed by the Executive and Legislature, no exceptions. In the event that an Enemy of the Faction wishes to converse with the Faction, they must contact the Offices of the Director of Foreign Affairs. The Director will then appoint a designated CoSMaC Representative or meet with them personally to assess what, if anything, from the conversation needs to be brought to the attention of the greater body. Diplomatic channels can ONLY be reopened once the Board of Diplomatic Affairs agrees. Once this happens, the Director of Foreign Affairs may then proceed to further discussions. If the Board denys the request, the enemy will be notified by the Offices of the Director of Foreign Affairs.
Passports and Visas
Before traveling to a CoSMaC nation, a citizen of a foreign country or faction will be required to obtain a non immigrant CoSMaC visa for temporary stay or show proof of an immigrant visa for permanent residence issued from a CoSMaC government. The type of visa needed will be based on the purpose of travel.
CoSMaC citizens will not need a CoSMaC visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country or faction they wish to visit. The Foreign Affairs Department of CoSMaC will not issue a passport because each member state will issue their own. The Director of Foreign Affairs will allow Consular Services to all citizens of any CoSMaC member state.
The objectives for CoSMaC's Foreign Relations Department are listed below, though this policy may be expanded or contracted upon a 2/3 majority vote of the legislature and the signature of the Executive:
- Safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and border integrity of the Confederation in accordance with the principles of the CoSMaC Constitution.
- Strengthen the security of the Confederation through the development of strategic alliances.
- Preserve peace and strengthen international security, in accordance with the principles of the Constitution, as well as the principles of the members of CoSMaC.
- Promote international cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
- Develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for sentient rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Develop supranational and factional alliances with other regional and universal powers to strengthen bonds, create joint military objectives, and ensure prosperity and peace.
- Create a stable and secure environment abroad for CoSMaC citizens and companies to explore and florish in.
Nations whose goals and objectives are counter to that of CoSMaC's will not be eligible for foreign aid, nor will nations who are considered "Enemies of the Confederation". All aid will be either tied or partially tied, meaning that they will have restrictions on useage. Nations found in violation of that usage will be charged back the aid amount and denied aid requests in the future.
The Confederation of the Small Magellanic Cloud's Foreign Affairs Department will be headed by the Director of Foreign Affairs. While the Executive of the Faction is a leading influence in CoSMaC Foreign Affairs, the Director of Foreign Affairs is the person who is considered the diplomatic point of contact for nations external to CoSMaC and has the authority to assign diplomatic liasons, emissaries, envoys, ambassadors, and other foreign affairs posts as needed. The Director is charged with providing insight to the Executive and Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs concerning the state of international affairs. The Director of Foreign Affairs acts as a sort of Secretary of State for the Faction, with broader powers to make temporary agreements for non-aggression treaties, cease-fires, and other forms of diplomatic agreements; awaiting further approval and extension by the legislature and executive of CoSMaC.
The Director of Foreign Affairs has the authority to create these temporary agreements for a period of 48 hours. At the end of the 48 hour period, if the legislature and executive do NOT approve an extension or full agreement, the Foreign Affairs agreement expires and a new one will need to be drafted to continue. Being that Foreign Assistance will play a key role in CoSMaC Foreign Affairs, the Director of Foreign Affairs has the power to grant humanitarian aid, disaster relief, emergency asylum, and rights of passage through the Small Magellanic Cloud (In collaboration with the Customs and Military Commands). International Trade and Commerce are also key components to the Foreign Affairs Department and are to be handled by the Director of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Director of the Economy, the Director of Trade, and the Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs.
From time to time, members of other nations, factions, alliances, or groupings will come to CoSMaC and request various treaties and agreements with the Faction. The Director of Foreign Affairs is the person responsible for beginning the process on these treaties. Once the request is made, the Director is to meet with the Foreign Relations Official for the approaching party, discussing the hoped for terms, outlinging CoSMaC objectives and positions, and then presenting the treaty or agreement to the Diplomatic Board, the Legislature, and the Executive. Once a decision is made, the Director of Foreign Affairs or a designated representative can relay that information and either have the treaty signed or declined - based upon the ruling of the Legislature. If a treaty or agreement is found to be in violation of the CoSMaC Constitution, then it can be nullified by the Director of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of Diplomatic Affairs, or the Executive of the Faction at any time.
Types of Treaties and Agreements
Treaty of Non-Aggression: Commonly referred to as a Non-Aggression Pact or NAP, this agreement states that no hostilities will arise between signing parties (nations, factions, alliances, etc represented) on a military scale. Rather, all escalations and issues would first be attempted through the Diplomatic Channels available at the Director of Foreign Affairs' Office. This is a preliminary form of alliance building and often leads to numerous other agreements and treaties if honored.
Treaty of Mutual Defense: Commonly known as a Mutual Defense Pact or an MDP, this agreement states that CoSMaC is entering into an agreement to back, protect, and defend an allied nation, faction, alliance, or group and vice versa should a war or armed conflict break out. This agreement also states that CoSMaC Diplomats will be assigned to attempt negotiations on behalf of our allies to resolve the conflict. This treaty generally involves members of the Military Board.
Treaty of Free or Fair Trade: This agreement states that CoSMaC and another nation, faction, alliance, or group are entering into a trade related treaty whereby taxes on goods imported and exported are either reduced or eliminated. This treaty will include specific types of materials and goods that are sold between CoSMaC and the signing party and will identify them as either "Free Trade" or "Fair Trade". A free trade agreement indicates that there are no tariffs or hold-ups between CoSMaC and the signing party. A fair trade agreement indicates taht there are reduced tariffs on items. This treaty generally involves the Director of Trade and the Director of the Economy.
Peace Keeping Treaty: This agreement states that another nation, faction, alliance, or group is contracting CoSMaC troops to maintain order and peace in a troubled area. This treaty will vary from agreement to agreement with specific terms. This is among the least commonly used treaties. These treaties require both Legislature and Executive approval and require a time frame.
Joint Security Treaty: This agreement indicates that CoSMaC and another nation, faction, alliance, or group are entering into a new phase of their relationship. The JST states that CoSMaC and the signing party are entering into a joint security pact, allowing for joint training missions of the military, equal patrol rights to both CoSMaC and the signing parties territories, cooperation between CoSMaC law enforcement and military and those of the signing party. These treaties generally involve the Military Board.
Enemies of The Faction
The Confederation of the Small Magellanic Cloud will not consort, speak with, or have diplomatic contact with nations, factions, alliances, or groups that they consider to be "Enemies of The Faction". This designation is assigned by the Boards of Diplomatic Affairs and Military Affairs, confirmed by the Executive and Legislature, no exceptions. In the event that an Enemy of the Faction wishes to converse with the Faction, they must contact the Offices of the Director of Foreign Affairs. The Director will then appoint a designated CoSMaC Representative or meet with them personally to assess what, if anything, from the conversation needs to be brought to the attention of the greater body. Diplomatic channels can ONLY be reopened once the Board of Diplomatic Affairs agrees. Once this happens, the Director of Foreign Affairs may then proceed to further discussions. If the Board denys the request, the enemy will be notified by the Offices of the Director of Foreign Affairs.
Passports and Visas
Before traveling to a CoSMaC nation, a citizen of a foreign country or faction will be required to obtain a non immigrant CoSMaC visa for temporary stay or show proof of an immigrant visa for permanent residence issued from a CoSMaC government. The type of visa needed will be based on the purpose of travel.
CoSMaC citizens will not need a CoSMaC visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country or faction they wish to visit. The Foreign Affairs Department of CoSMaC will not issue a passport because each member state will issue their own. The Director of Foreign Affairs will allow Consular Services to all citizens of any CoSMaC member state.
