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Dear citizens of Germany(-Austria),

About a month ago I interviewed leaders of the Belgian government about their opinions regarding possible unions with The Netherlands and Germany, an ESA (or European Social Alliance) and several other things.
Here is the previous article: http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/germany-and-belgium-an-interview-with-belgian-leaders-757538/1/20
Now, a lot of things have changed since that interview and considering the level of interest in it I decided to get back in contact with Habraka Abrivianius, former Belgian minister of foreign affairs.

Here is the new interview, enjoy:
"Is it true that the Belgium and the Netherlands completed a peaceful union?"
Yes, the merger was completed successfully the 5th of April. Note of interest is that the actual invasion and conquering of the Belgian regions took less than half an hour. This is the fastest conquest of an entire country in the history of e-Republik.

"In our previous interview you said that you would only do a union with the Netherlands if they left PEACE. What made you change your mind about that condition?"
We had to drop the demand for a neutral union, as Belgian at the time was politically taken over by Spanish rogues. They already controlled Congress, and they were about to win the Presidential elections in April. So we basicly had to chose between a union with The Netherlands, where the Belgian people would get equal representation and be part of the decision making process, or face being oppressed by Spanish renegades.

"Do you consider them morally obligated to leave PEACE anyway?"
This isn't so much a question of morals, as it is one of politics. For the United Kingdom of the Netherlands it could be a wise strategical and tactical choice to leave PEACE, but it will take time, patience and courage for such a bold step to be made.

"Do you believe the Belgian-Dutch union is a step towards your goals of an ESA and an end to bi-polarization?"
Actually, yes I do. The Netherlands has always seemed rather entusiastic about the ESA project, and right after the last Presidential elections I got contacted by the new Dutch government as they wanted to catch up on the current state of the ESA.

"How have the Belgian citizens reacted?"
Overall, the general mood was very positive towards the union. A few people disliked the union, and they willingly migrated to the UK. I haven't heard any complaints so far.

"Overall is your union what you hoped it would be?"
The only thing I could wish for to make the union 'ideal', would be that the Belgian-Dutch Union leaves PEACE. That's certainly something worth considering in the near future.

"What is your opinion on Germany's choice to join ATLANTIS?"
Whilst I am a proposer of having more and smaller regional alliances, instead of two superpowers, I am also realistic. At this moment in time, we all have to make a choice on which side of the war we fight, and to be honest, I am glad the AGU joined ATLANTIS.

"Do you believe that PEACE soldiers are justified in starting and fighting in the Austrian resistance wars?"
Well, PEACE is always justified to start resistance wars to trouble it's enemy or just to have a fight. All the talk about German oppression and imperialism is however just propaganda. Nothing more or nothing less. Just a feeble attempt to try and justify the fact that PEACE will stop at nothing to conquer more regions and destroy more nations.

"Do you think that Germany should have or should in the future re-take Austria?"
Yes. With the help of ATLANTIS and the reformed Bundeswehr Austria should be reconquered. As to when, I will let the politicians and military advisors sort that one out.

"How has the failure of the German-Austrian union affected your views on a possible Germany-Austria-Netherlands-Belgium union? Do you still consider it a good idea?"
In my opinion the AGU hasn't failed. It is subject to a foreign invasion which controls the southern regions of the Union. The Austrian-German Union was not destroyed when the Austrian regions were invaded and conquered by Italian and Hungarian barbarians. The Union still exists and, given time, the Bundeswehr will once again march to Austria as liberator.
The Austria-Belgium-Germany-Netherlands union is right on schedule as a matter of fact. The way I envisioned it is that first the countries with the same language form a union. Austria and Germany did that, as did Belgium and The Netherlands. It will take a few months to stabilise the economy and the political system, after which the AGU and the Dutch Union merge. So now it's only a matter of retaking Austria and merging the two unions into one.

"Is an ESA still a viable plan for Europe?"
Yes, there is still interest from various countries to unite in a European alliance. It might be growing slowly at the moment, but you never know what might happen in the future which makes the ESA a more acceptable solution.

"How many, and which countries are currently showing any interest in an ESA?"
Ireland, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands seem to be the main countries involved.

"Do you think that the world war will end in anything but complete destruction of PEACE or ATLANTIS?"
Neither PEACE nor ATLANTIS will be destroyed by the actual warfare. It is far more likely that as the war progresses, discontent will start to emerge, and break up the alliances from within. In a game like eRepublik, where you cannot really destroy your opponent with pure military force, morale is the deciding factor. If the enemy loses the will to fight, then victory is near.

"How do you feel about the escalations of the conflict (Romanian-Indonesian war, the destruction and re-birth of Pakistan, Hungarian independence, the battle of Sardinia, Norway's political TO)?"
I get the feeling the war is coming to a climax. Like a well orchestrated sequence of events, we have experienced the gradual build up of battles and propaganda, seemingly to prepare us for the all important battles that are about to commence. Tens of thousands of Gold and hundreds of thousands of players are involved in an international conflict with war raging across the globe. At this rate, gold reserves of the involved nations will drastically decrease in the next few months, forcing a cool down period to recover resource wise.

"Is it true that you have started "The Abrivianius Defense Force"? What is it's purpose?
In what wars and on which side have you fought?"
The Abrivianius Defence Force is a privately funded, pro-ATLANTIS military organisation. We recruit members from all nationalities and strength, provide them with weapons and moving tickets, and fight against PEACE. We have recently been active in the battles to secure the Norwegian regions after it's TO by Hungary, fighting for Finland. We have fought in the second battle for Sardinia, in the Romanian war against Indonesia, against Iran, fighting in resistance wars in China, etc... Basicly, where battles are being fought, chances are you will see us on the frontline.

"What is it's current relationship with the Bundeswehr? Has Morten's resignation affected that relationship?"
The current relationship between the ADF and the Bundeswehr is one of cooperation and mutual respect. I, as leader of the ADF, am in close contact with the Minister of Defence of Germany, Chicco and his predecessor Mortenlond to coordinate our efforts. Group Abrivianius currently also supplies the Bundeswehr with cheap weapons through it's industrial divisions.

"Do you think it is likely that Germany will be invaded and do you think we could win such a war?"
While I think an invasion of Germany at this time is unlikely, I nevertheless do not underestime the chance of it actually occuring. If it were to happen, Group Abrivianius and the Abrivianius Defence Force will be here alongside the German people and their ATLANTIS allies to fight of the savage hordes and kick them out of our regions.

"Why did you come to Germany after the Belgian union?"
As a staunch ATLANTIS supporter, I could not justify being part of a PEACE country's political system. Out of principle, I did not want to remain active in a PEACE country. I know and have trust in a lot of the current leaders of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and I am confident they will do a good job in managing the country.
Germany was, for me, the only logical choice to relocate to. I had already created the ADF here as a replacement army for the then defunct Bundeswehr, I already had active companies here, and I am a big fan of the German culture and language in real life.
What can I say; Ich liebe Deutschland 😉.

-Elisa Vorimberg