Foreign Relations of Burgundie

Burgundie has been seen as a historical aggressor with a long history of colonialism, purveyor of chattel slavery, military and economic interventionist paternalism, and Christian proselytization. This has led to a number of global conspiracies regarding Burgundie from Global Burgieman to Levantine Creep, and unflattering characterizations like Brother Auggie. This attitude colors both Burgundie's relations with the world and the world's perception of Burgoignesc intent. In this post-Operation Kipling era, specifically under the Palacin Dynasty (Pasqual I and his heir apparent Crown Princess Amelia) the country has taken a much softer tone with recognition of its role in the aforementioned grievances. Since the 1990s the country, spearheaded by the Palacin family has sought to focus on the role Burgundie has played in the modernization of the world since the end of the Second Great War (containerization), the minimalization of death and suffering across the globe, the multi-lateral approach the country now takes with its participation in transnational organizations like the League of Nations and the Levantine Union, the efforts to not suppress economic growth in its post-colonial countries, but to develop healthy, wealthy, global markets. These efforts are recognized as just the beginning of a long period of global healing that Burgundie needs to lead. They have proven to be fruitful in the short term as the opening and expanding of markets, both economic and of academic, have given Burgundie access to incredible human and financial capital the world over.

Burgundie has historically sided with the southern Levantine powerhouse Urcea in global politics. However, Burgundie is the first to extend the olive branch in the name of open commerce and global stabilization which it has done with both Caphiria and Kiravia. Burgundie currently maintains good relations with all three countries nations and is sometimes used as an intermediary between the three superpowers when tension is on the verge of breaking out into violence, or when tensions are coming down and a de-escalation is sought. However, Burgundie is attached at the hip to Urcea through history, culture, and institutions like the Levantine Union and Caphiria and Kiravia see Burgundie through that lens.

With the remainder of the Occidental world and the regional powers of Daxia and Stenza, Burgundie maintains good and open relationships. Burgundie serves with many of these nations on global institutions like the League of Nations but not in permanent seat status, as well as organizations like the Red Cross, the World Bank, etc. Burgundie is particularly close/allied to the nations of Arcerion, Cartadania, Pelaxia, Paulastra, and Yonderre.

Territory disputes
Burgundie has two low-intensity but open territory disputes. They are over ownership of Sudmoll and Wintergen.

Sudmoll controversy
Main article: Sudmoll Island Conflicts

Following its independence in 1921, Stenza laid claim to the Burgoignesc island of Sudmoll. On a number of politically advantageous occasions, the Stenzan Armed Forces have been dispatched to occupy the island often leading to an escalation of tension between Stenza and Burgundie. There have also been a number of flashpoints between Stenzan and Sudmollese fishing and merchant fleets that have had to be broken up by the coast guards of both countries. To this day the matter remains unsettled with both nations claiming the island, but Stenza's last concerted effort to exert control over the island was in 1984.

Wintergen controversy
Main article: Stewardship of Wintergen (government-in-exile)

Current Diplomatic Posture
Burgundie sustains positive diplomatic relations with all nations, with embassies and consulates in almost every nation. Burgundie prefers diplomatic solutions to military ones and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs is highly professional and dedicated to maintaining peace and trade revenue.

Political and economic perspectives

 * Communism and socialism: ater Burgundie spent 20 years fighting communists in the 60s-80s (Operation Kipling, the country changed its perspective on communism and socialism. These systems were no longer consider the "enemy", but that their existence was an opportunity to develop a new market for the Merchant Marine of Burgundie's trade network. So the country takes an economic approach as opposed to a military one.
 * Democracy and capitalism: Burgundie has always been preferential to democracies and capitalists but there is less opportunity for Burgundie to influence these nations.
 * Monarchy: more in favor of constitutional monarchies, but is generally favorable to all monarchies.
 * Theocracy: more infavor of popularly supported or elected theocracies but generally favorable to all theocracies, regardless of its religion.
 * Syndycalism: opposed

Global Improvement
The Global Improvement Branch is the arm of Ministry of Exterior Affairs tasked with improving the world in terms of how it can positively impact Burgundie. While it is a selfish objective Global Improvement is the branch of government associated with helping to improve global living standards, wages, and reducing/eradicating pandemic diseases. The Branch was created in 1994 to bring together disparate offices and departments from across the Ministry of the Interior, External Affairs, and Revenue that all dealt with improving the lives of those outside of Burgundie.

LoN
Main article: League of Nations

WHO
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IMF
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WTO
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UNESCO
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IAEA
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ICAO
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ICC
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RedCross
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IMO
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WIPO
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WFP
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Current Trade Posture
Burgundie maintains markets across the globe. Burgundie's trade islands are vital to the global reach and approach that the economy relies on. These disparate islands are heavily industrialized trade ports and warehousing spaces that help not only the Merchant Marine of Burgundie but serve as stopover points in many nations trading routes.

Rumahoki
Following the Velevet Revolution and the adoption of Velvetine Socialism by Rumahoki in the mid-1990s, the nation opened up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and numerous Burgoignesc companies were encouraged by the Global Improvement Branch of the Ministry of External Affairs (GIB-MEA) to invest in the newly reformed state. These investments were meant to support the stabilization of the state and the transition to democracy in Rumahoki. For almost 40 years the investments in Rumahoki have been expanding and are largely regarded as beneficial to both parties. The various campuses established by the Burgoignesc companies are also accompanied with workers housing and a Burgoignesc International School. All work is conducted to Rumahokian standards, but pay is slightly higher than average. The companies who operate manufactories are able to thwart some of the controls of the planned market socialist economy by focusing on exports rather than internal distribution, but even this only occurs are under the watchful eye of Rumahokian economists and customs agents. It has been recorded that these investments have had a net positive impact of those Rumahokians who work for these Burgoignesc companies. They have access to some of the goods either made or sold by those companies through the Burgoignesc companies' PXes at discounted rates, although these items are taxed heavily by the Rumahokian government. None of the practices of the Burgoignesc companies are allowed to directly contradict the indicative planning done by Rumahokian economist, as there is an additional burden of reporting placed on these companies, which results in the hiring of additional Rumahokian citizens to maintain accurate and persistent accounting.

These investments cross a number of industries including telecommunications (as local affiliates of state-run Videocom, Island Mobile), shipping (O’Shea Container Shipping), retail (House of Elan and Germais Time), hospitality (BurgunArms Hospitality Group, and tourism (DeBonAire Airlines‎‎).

Current Military Posture
Burgundie is a leading member of LUDC, and maintains non-aggression and mutual defense alliances with a number of states.
 * Burgoignesc way of war

Burgundie maintains a high level of global reach/forward deployment and readiness both through it's island provinces (in particular La Garrote), and it's outsized sea and airlift commands. It also leverages industrial contracts with local partners and their industrial bases to maintain a massive and incorruptable materiel supply chain. Key partners include Arcerion, Cartadania, Bulkh, Faneria, Paulastra, Pelaxia, Urcea, and Yonderre.