Foreign relations of Westarctica

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As a sovereign nation-state, Westarctica engages in foreign relations with many nations, micronations, and other international governmental organizations. Aside from brief periods during the reign of Grand Duke Philip and Prime Minister Waesche, all foreign affairs have been handled by the Grand Duke of Westarctica, however, starting in 2018, a Minister of Foreign Affairs was appointed to handle day-to-day interactions with representatives from other countries.

History and diplomatic activities

In May 2005, Westarctica entered into its first international agreement, a treaty of friendship and recognition with the Republic of Molossia. This treaty became the go-to template for treaties of many other micronations, and portions of the text can still be found in micronational treaties to this day. Westarctica has signed treaties of friendship and recognition with dozens of other micronations from around the world and also entered into several multi-state pacts such as the West-Antarctic Treaty, the West Antarctic Free Alliance and the Antarctic Micronational Union (which it later left).

United Nations involvement

Since January 2015, Westarctica has enjoyed non-consultative status as a member of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - NGO Branch. In this capacity, representatives from Westarctica have participated in annual planning sessions with other NGOs to create and implement Sustainable Development Goals on a global scale.

State visits

Grand Duke Travis has undertaken many state visits on behalf of Westarctica and has traveled widely to promote the country's interests and to help raise awareness of micronations in general. Starting in 2015, there was a major shift in the nature of these visits and public speeches: instead of advocating exclusively for recognition of Westarctica's sovereignty, the Grand Duke began advocating on behalf of the fragile West Antarctic ecosystem and made environmental conservation a key talking point.

Westarctica has received representatives from many micronations and a few sovereign nation-states. One guest of honor at the Grand Duke's 2004 wedding to Grand Duchess Cathryn was the nephew of the Minister of Finance from Togo (a small country on the West African coast).

Diplomatic Corps

Westarctica's Diplomatic Corps evolved out of the Honorary Consular Corps, a volunteer organization that encourages Westarctican citizens and hereditary nobles around the world to become representatives for Westarctica right in their home country.

Westarctica's diplomatic relations

Nation Recognition Status Trade Status Diplomatic Visits
link={{{2}}} Royal Republic of Ladonia Mutual Recognition No economic exchanges 2014 - Informal dinner with Heads of State
2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2018 - Diplomatic visit
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Shiloh Mutual Recognition
Military cooperation
Economic cooperation 2012 - 2018 Numerous diplomatic and cultural exchanges
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Vikesland Mutual Recognition
Military cooperation
Trading partner 2012 - State visit in Vikesland
2012 - State visit from Vikesland
2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
link={{{2}}} Republic of Molossia Mutual Recognition
Military cooperation
Trading partner 2005 - State visit
2009 - Diplomatic visit in Molossia
2011 - State visit in Molossia
2011 - Honored guest at Presidential wedding
2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - State visit in Molossia
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Ruritania Mutual Recognition Economic cooperation 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - State visit in Ruritania
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} House of Homestead Mutual Recognition
Diplomatic exchange
Economic cooperation 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} Grand Duchy of Broslavia Mutual Recognition Economic cooperation 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
link={{{2}}} West Who Mutual Recognition No economic exchanges 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Slabovia Mutual Recognition No economic exchanges 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} Ambulatory Free States of Obsidia Mutual Recognition No economic exchanges 2015 - Formal dinner at MicroCon 2015
2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
link={{{2}}} Principality of Aigues-Mortes Mutual Recognition Economic cooperation 2017 - Formal dinner at Microcon 2017
2018 - Diplomatic visit
link={{{2}}} Grand Duchy of Flandrensis Political Alliance
Military Alliance
Non-aggression Pact
No economic exchanges No diplomatic visits
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Scone Mutual Recognition Economic cooperation 2017 - State visit in Scone