walneria Is neutrality really a necessity?

[Walneria]

"I still maintain, that we survived through the turbulent 20th century only because were we neutral," exclaimed Jakëss Biláŕ one of the 22 deputies NPR-PNO has in the National Assembly, "And it was the National Party, we, who saved us from the impending chaos that started after we defeated Stedoria in 1940. I can tell you this - if we were in the government, Walneria would be safe and we would not hear anything from those hidden globalists about us needing allies. We have made it without them to where we are now, we will make it without them to the future as well!"

"We all know, that during the Cold War, Walneria tried to find allies, but with the notable exception of Lusuviya and Malskia, we had little to work with. Our presence on the wurld stage only grew once we were able to export more through the bilateral treaty with Dazhdinia, and the economic boom of 2000's is only thanks to the smart decisionmaking Union of Civic Rights, not your Nationalists!" countered Andrej Młućik (LDPR), president of the Minority Caucus, "And if I hear one more time, that we were better off when we were stuck between a rock and the hard place, God save those who do so. For istance, the 1965 bill to grant autonomies to Ustokans, and Maleniks, which, by the way, I am representing as we speak, was struck down, because the government feared, that it could be exploited by Rosenia, as it has been a part of Dazhdinia at that time. I found this reprehensible. Only 2000 reform brought end to the constant meddling with the politics and national identity, and we need to thank not the Nationalists, but the Union of National Minorities and later, by extension, the Union of Civic Rights, which, for record, has been succeeded by Liberal Democrats."

"You still didn't answer my question, even though it is cute how you are trying to compare Yasic separatism and militant protests with the 2000 settlement," countered Jakess, "but this doesn't answer my question. I stipulated, that neutrality only helped Walneria and had mostly positive impacts on the development of human rights in Walneria, like it or not. My question was, why should we abandon now, what worked for us for over half a century?"

"Let me answer that simply," said Jana Kŕissí (GH), entering the discussion, "we do not live in the 1960's anymore. And I think it is important to remind everyone present, that the neutrality article was added to the Constitution only in the matter of military entanglement, not economic or any other cooperation. That is why we joined the Assembled Nations, that is why we joined ARTHA, and that is, why we are once again suggesting the support for more economic deals, cooperation and culture exchange. We live in the era, where old foes are friends and there are new foes. And our stubborness forces us to risk, that our potential friends will quickly become very real foes. I say - don't underestimate Communists. In 1998, we were all looking, as the tanks rolled onto Gromųva and from the ashes, a new democratic Dazhdinia arose. At the same time, we watched as Sawbrania was having its own revolution only to swap one ruling class for another. We were sure, that Communism is on the way out, but we were proven wrong. I stipulate, that the threat is still there, we are still in the risk of being pushed around by socialist bloc that was reborn to our East. If we want to prepare, we can do it alone, but if we work with others, I say, we do it better. The Greens are not part of the government, we are in the opposition, but let me tell you this, if our support is what it takes to free us from the shackles of blindsighted isolationism, so be it. And if we do a move in which half the nation throws a tantrum just to help the nation, so be it. Maybe, we should remind you, that our oath is to help the nation, not hunt for political points because elections are coming in a year or two."

[...]

"And the votes to allow Walneria to join economic alliances, which do not include military aspects, ended with:" said Dítmar Fissŕ, the President of the Assembly, "Out of 119 present, 86 in favor, 24 opposed, 9 abstained. The motion  to pass the interpretation to the Article 12 of the Constitution of Walneria has been passed. This motion would be submitted to the Constitutional Court for approval"

Edited August 16, 2022 by Walneria (see edit history)