[MoFA] Interview with Howly and TWO updates

Day 2,060, 16:16 Published in United Kingdom United Kingdom by Thomas765


Interviewing our allies

In order to allow the citizens of the United Kingdom to get a view of several of our allies, the MoFA will be conducting interviews with members of governments of such states. The first, as a result of friendship between myself and the CP, is Slovenia.


I did create these for TWO HQ, however, I will use this one here

Our faithful and close ally

We have been very close to Slovenia since about 2009, when the United Kingdom went from being in ATLANTIS, an alliance that would become EDEN, to PEACE GC. During these events, the UK was able to forge new friendships with the likes of those we have today, such as Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Slovenia aren't a very big nation in comparing to other members of the alliance. Out of TWO's core members, they are the smallest. We're second smallest. As such both countries maintained that bond as a result. Similarity does help with friendship!



Prominent members of the Slovenian community have been working their way in alliance and international affairs for over four years. In essence, they are an important nation with their diplomatic abilities, especially as of late.

Slovenia's population is around the 1400 mark but despite this, the nation regularly makes it into the top 15 in terms of damage internationally, being able to do greater damage than Russia, Indonesia and the UK.



Howly, the president of Slovenia

The country president of Slovenia is Ice Killa, previously known as Howly. He has recently been one of the top voices of reform within TWO and has had a longterm interest in both our allies and the UK itself. Please note that the views in the interview may not mirror the views of the UK government and are solely either Slovenia's or Howly's own views.

What is the political situation like in eSlovenia?

Slovenia is a somewhat odd country in terms of politics.

Let me explain in detail, in other communities parties play a huge role. Here that is not the case, not to such extent. I for example won by being supported by a party that has 7 members (me being party president of it). From time to time there are some political conflicts, but due to our, let's say smallness, they aren't long lasting. We have other more important affairs to deal with. There are some known Slovenians worldwide, but even I sometimes like to provoke them and call them lazy (so to say to force them into being more productive).

I personally dislike parties, I always had a grudge against them. They create leeches that would do anything to get to the top and when they get the support of influential people, bad things do occur.

Currently I would say the Slovenian community is relatively unified.

Has this impacted the way Slovenia fights as a nation in battles?

Absolutely. Due to our small player base the potential for conflicts is that smaller in comparison to other bigger nations. I would say we are located in an outstanding geographical position. Amongst 2 of the eRepublik's strongest countries - Serbia and Poland. It eases up things a lot, we can store supplies and then use then when time is right - for example when Bulgaria shockingly lost against us when they were advancing through Hungary to get our regions. Political unity has everything to do with battle performance. People have a sense they fight for a common cause.

What does Slovenia think about the recent changes in foreign affairs?

We dislike how Spain is trying to keep its alliance with ROLA while still being a part of TWO. They are the main contributors to the division of TWO. So the Slovenian government has actively decided to pursue a goal of getting Argentina into the alliance we are currently in. That, in our opinion, is a reachable goal. Spaniards have brought nothing but hate to the alliance circle, and if they want to keep signing MPPs with CoT members, they might as well be gone from our point of view. You might call me undiplomatic, but the damage Spain has been doing could eventually lead to the destruction of currently the strongest alliance from the inside - if they were given a free hand of course. Recently you could notice how our allies decided to pick a more decisive tone, and try and prevent Spain's actions. Unsuccessfully so far. Besides, the crisis that has engulfed us recently is a thing of the past. All of the presented points in the Slovenian proposal were accepted, which means we did a great job. Huge diplomatic victory for us. We might have unawarely even saved TWO from destruction.

What do you think about Slovenia's relations with the UK and if you had a chance to get both countries closer, how would you do it - if, of course, we can get any closer?

I believe our relations are fantastic. If given the chance, I would, well, try and organize mutual coordination of our armies. But I believe that is already present to some extent (you fight in our battles when we are in dire need). Otherwise you can improve relationship via interviews like this one. Sharing the view of a country president of another nation. Yes, I must state on behalf of Slovenians that we greatly value you. And you return us the same, so I believe our friendship will last for some time to come.

Which countries do you believe your country are closest to?

Definitely Serbia, Hungary and UK.

What problems do you think Slovenia and, by extension, TWO will encounter in the future?

I think eventually Spain will leave TWO. Which means CoT will gain on strength and Spaniards will fight against us. Although we will still prevail. TWO might encounter the same problems as it did a few days ago. The inflow of wise people knowing what they are doing is inadequate, so sooner or later unskilled people will acquire top positions with absolutely no knowledge what they should be doing. Then a crisis might erupt again. And who knows if Slovenia will be there willing to save TWO once more from the abyss.

Slovenia will in general encounter same enemies as we have so far. Every once and then the pesky Italian mosquitos and Swiss demagogues trying to undermine us.

What has been the most defining moment for you on eRepublik for the last couple of years?

That's a good question.

I would have problems deciding, but if I was to pick the most defining moment I'd say the fall of Liaoning. A whole new era started afterwards. Serbian domination was brought to a halt and Serbs had to rethink their game plans.

Although I think from Slovenian point of view our occupation of Rhone Alps was one of the most epic events that ever occurred in the game itself. We managed to rip Rhone Alps from Polish hands and raised taxes to the maximum, and in one day earned the amount Slovenia usually made in a whole month.

Of course that wouldn't have been possible without the help of our allies - I believe in Phoenix back then. In the recent time, I would say fall of Poland and Serbia was quite shocking as well. About a year ago or more.

How did the coalition with SmoothZiga occur?

I wouldn't call it a coalition. Let's say Slovenia was in need of a serious presidential candidate and I was seriously pondering whether to run or not.

And I eventually decided to run. As I will be gone for a week during this presidential mandate, Smooth will fill in and enable our country to run as it should. We put out differences aside for the better of our country.

Who do you think are the most influential people and countries in the world?

It depends how you define an influential individual. You can be influental damage wise, via diplomacy or in internal politics. It depends, really.

I would say damage wise would be Romper. Pretty much everyone has heard of him.

In diplomacy I would say the most prominent individuals in the TWO alliance. While internally I would say some Serbian individuals - as I define influence via how many people "follow" you.

I like to avoid names in such questions.

Do you have any particularly favourite places in the UK? Or places you would like to visit if given the chance?

I always had a liking for Scotland. Beside I know some individuals in proximity of Bath, so I would say those are the two places I would visit if given the chance.



Some changes in TWO

In the previous MoFA article, I mentioned that the UK will be supporting changes to the charter. The reasons for this were obvious. We'd like HQ to be elected more fairly and free from party politics, mirroring the aims of several other countries who supported the changes. On Wednesday evening, TWO gathered together in order to vote on them and finally, after 17 nations voted on each proposal individually, the charter changes were passed practically unanimously.

The following changes were made:

1. If 4 TWO countries disagree with how a specific department is being lead, an individual from a certain position in TWO HQ can be impeached via voting of member countries (at least 66% of countries have to vote positively for the impeachment) and re-elections take place. The elected doing the job for the rest of the month.
2. Candidates must present their programs or are ineligible for the elections.
3. Candidates must state their intent to run for a certain position 36 hours before the elections.
4. People handling the foreign affairs of the TWO alliance must write articles informing TWO citizens around eRepublik about current ongoings.
5. Elections for the TWO HQ positions are done on the 9th and not on the 7th as that is the case at the moment.
6. The usurpation of power in the name of personal interests of a country is prohibited. If there are strong proofs and arguments that did occur, the country must be penalized. If found guilty, the country is ineligible to cast a vote in the next TWO meeting or in the next voting of any kind regarding the TWO alliance. The presidents of TWO countries decide via voting whether the accused country is guilty or not.
7. SoFA, SG and SC must pick deputies that do not derive from the same nation in eRepublik as they do.
8. An individual country can only have one individual (originally from that country) at the top of the department in either SG, SC or SoFA position. A specific nation cannot have 2 or more individuals at different leadership spots in the TWO HQ (meaning the positions of SG, SC or SoFA).
9. Each month every TWO nation must reaffirm its willingness to commit to the TWO alliance and its military operations, in the spirit of brotherhood.

For accountability, the UK voted in favour of all points barring point 6, where we abstained because we feel that it's unenforceable to a certain degree.



That's all folks o/



Thomas765,
Minister of Foreign Affairs