Foreign relations of Antora

The foreign relations of Antora are a combination of the chivalric values of historical Antora and the geopolitical and socioeconomic requirements of the government. The power and responsibility to oversee foreign policy and international relations falls upon the Ministry of Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, and Interconnectivity, headed by the First Minister of Diplomacy. The First Minister operates their Ministry at the discretion and direction of the Prime Minister, and on occasion, the Monarch. The contemporary foreign policy of Antora is made up of the "Four Statutes:" Promotion and expansion of the nation's economic sector, establishment of fair and productive cultural ties, assuring the current and future security of sovereignty and interests, and the suppression of the influence and expansion of hostile powers. The nation maintains regular bilateral relations with many countries, and special relationships with a select few. Most notably, Antora is a member of the League of Novaris and a founding nation of the CAC and INTRA organizations.

Administration

Officially, the Monarch of Antora is the Head of State and thus directs all foreign policy and represents the country on the world stage. In practice, largely due to increasing support towards restricting the constitutional powers of the monarchy, the Royal Cabinet has assumed much of the responsibility of diplomacy. The Prime Minister, after their election from the Popular Assembly, nominates an individual to become First Minister of Diplomacy. The First Minister oversees the Ministry of Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, and Interconnectivity. The incumbent First Minister is Matias Goméz.

Ministry of Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, and Interconnectivity

The Ministry is responsible for all matters of foreign relations and maintaining the public and private agreements between Antora and other countries. It is divided into three distinct departments:

The Department of Diplomacy

The largest department of the Ministry, the DoD is primarily concerned with establishing relations with other countries, facilitating the formation of trade agreements and negotiations, organizing meetings and summits between Antora and its partners, communicating the Antoran government's views and decisions to international partners, and providing the public with information concerning international matters. The Department of Diplomacy is the first point of reference for all parties interested in cooperating with the Antoran government. It is nominally headed by the First Minister of Diplomacy, though the detailed administration is handled by the Minister of Diplomacy. The current Minister is Oliver Piedrabuena.

The Department of Foreign Affairs

The DoFA is responsible for the detailed maintenance of relations between foreign governments, including the mechanisms of trade, the legal compliance with treaties, and the rights and privledges afforded to foreign citizens in Antoran territory and vice versa. This department is the most active in cooperating with other Royal Cabinet ministries. They ensure that all Antoran assets abroad function according to local and homeland regulations, and manage the registration of property such as cargo ships and airplanes. The DoFA is considered a "behind-the-scenes" department as it very rarely issues public statements or communiques. Regardless of this, it is responsible for much of the actual function of the Ministry. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Ana Isabel de Herrera.

The Department of Interconnectivity

The DoI is responsible for ensuring Antora remains at the forefront of international knowledge, infrastructure, and organizations. Some of the areas of this department's portfolio include the League of Novaris, the Conference for Amity and Cooperation, the Inter-Novaran Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, the International Banking Exchange Cooperative, and the Electrical Standardization Treaty. The Royal Antoran Reserve maintains a position on the IBEC Oversight Committee via the DoI and the Ministry of the Economies. The Department also cooperates with departments in the Ministry of Communications, Broadcasting, and Digital Technology and the Ministry of Ministry of the Infrastructure, Civil Works, and Transportation to manage Antora's use of international satellite networks and the Urth-Wide Utility network. Despite these operations, the DoI also serves as part of the Antoran intelligence community via the Office of Special Representatives. The OSR maintains an apparatus of information gathering and soft-power assets that remains classified from public record. The current Minister of Interconnectivity is Liam Merino.

Bilateral Relations

Antora maintains diplomatic relations with many nations. Almost all countries in Novaris possess embassies with Antora, as do those in Concord and Aurora.

Novaris

• Älemsi Negdel - Relations established in 18XX, categorized as "Cooperative." Älemsi Negdel and Antora are both founding members of the CAC and cooperate on infrastructure, scientific, and economic projects as well as defense development. Projects of note include the Rotantic Heritage Shelter Program and the Amity class patrol vessel. Embassy located in Macria.
• - Relations established in 19XX, categorized as "Warm." Aponivia, as the headquarters location of the League of Novaris, has special attention from Antoran diplomats and hosts not only the Antoran Embassy but the Antoran Mission to the League of Novaris. Domestic embassy is located in Eleçeron.
• Celannica - Relations established in 20XX, categorized as "Cautiously Cold." Celannica is a neighbor state and maintains a culture of imperial supremacy and cults of personality. The government of Antora views Celannica as a potential source of opposition in the future and keeps diplomatic relations open but limited. Embassies are located in Castevila and Zeda.
• Cryria - Relations established in 1586, categorized as "Closely Cooperative." Cryria assisted the Kingdom of Casilló in their military victory over the Kingdom of Réal as part of the Conquísta, directly leading to the founding of the Kingdom of Corrí and its later incarnations, Casilló y Réal and Antora. Exchanges of Cryrian and Corric culture have occurred regularly since. Both nations are founding members of the CAC and cooperate in and outside of the Conference on infrastructure, scientific, and economic projects as well as defense development. Notable initiatives include Antoran use of the Cryrian space program, the Nordörn exercises, the Amity class patrol vessel, and the Advanced Lightweight Adaptable Military Aircraft project. Some Antoran political groups desire closer cooperation with Cryria including formalized defense agreements which have been hampered by Cryrian neutrality policies. Embassies are located in Giroruña and Leidenstad.
• Durakia - Relations established in 19XX, categorized as "Cautiously Cold." Durakia's brand of militant socialism, participation in military interventions both independently and as a part of the UCA, and its volatile history have made Antora cautious of close cooperation, but their commitment to worker's rights and progress on bilateral dialog has prevented serious rifts from forming. Embassies are located in Covieles and Wesnov.
• Dvalheim - Relations established in 1980, categorized as "Cold." Dvalheim's de-facto puppet status in relation to Norgsveldet means Antoran policy views them as a non-sovereign nation, but there is a permeant Consulate in Vinby for diplomatic purposes.
• Dvergerland - Relations established in 20XX, categorized as "Normal." Antora does not recognize Dvergian sovereignty but neither recognizes it as a territory of Tiervan. It maintains a Consulate in Duribi.
• Ekvatora - Relations established in 19XX, categorized as "Cold."
• Endertopias - Relations established in 19XX, categorized as "Normal."
• Gamlevinland - Relations established in 1920, categorized as "Cautiously Cold." Gamlevinland's more authoritarian brand of monarchy, combined with a clash over interpretations of honor, chivalry, and the place of nobility has made foreign relations with the nation difficult for Antora. Embassies are maintained in Iravala and Halǿby.
• Gräntierik - Relations established in 16XX, categorized as "Cautiously Cold." The theocratic socialism of the Gränser government, while nonconflictive with Antoran Deusism, goes against Antoran state views on the power of the church over the state. Consulates are maintained in Tonderouca and Luträbby.
• Iboma - Relations established in 2022, categorized as "Normal." Embassies are located in Porta Armada and Komodu.
• Kelamí League - Relations established in 1721, categorized as "Cooperative." Antora and the League are both members of the CAC and have cooperated on various projects and initiatives such as the Amity class patrol vessels and the Nordörn exercises. Embassies are located in Castevija and Lèxawèkink.
• Kuthernburg - Relations established in 1849, categorized as "Cautiously Cold." Antoran chivalric traditions have influenced their view of Kuthernburg negatively. The fallout from the Kuthern Civil War of 1936, the Kuthern international military activities, and rise in terrorism targeting Kuthern nationalists in the 2010's have led Antora to view Kuthernburg as a rival to the Impelantic legacy in Novaris rather than a partner. Embassies are maintained in Descarai and Luthernburg.