Today, neighbours Hasanistan and the State Union of Konraq and Kökqoyunlu ratified a treaty to enhance their already-close bilateral relations. The agreement expanded the so-called "Batyraq Pact" (not to be confused with the Batyr Bloc) to include open borders in the Greater Hasanistan region, a free trade area and cooperation in science, intelligence and aviation. President of the State Union Sebas Güneştarlası has described the agreement as "historic".
Konraq was formed in 2013 as a territory of Viadalvia. In 2016, the area was handed to Pavlov by Dachenia who had organised it under Hasanistan (at the time under direct Pavlovian administration, until 2017). The area was given independence from Hasanistan in 2018 amicably, with the two establishing the "Batyraq mutual defence pact" to defend the region from foreign interference. There had been fears in the past two years that Batyraq had become irrelevant, as Konraq faced political disturbances. However, following Konraq's stabilisation, enthusiasm over the Pact returned. Recently, the two allowed free movement of citizens through domestic legislation.
The "Enhanced Agreement on Eternal Friendship and Cooperation in the Greater Hasanistan Region" signed today has strengthened these close ties and sought to build them more in certain areas. The Pact established fully open borders for civilians and has also granted residents of the other the right to vote in all elections under the "Greater Hasanistan Free Travel Area". A free trade agreement was also reached where there would be no tariffs on any goods traded between the two countries, although it did not establish a customs union like Hasanistan has with Pavlov. The two also agreed generous regulations for flying between the two countries, despite the fact that flight is the least likely method of cross-border transportation. Finally, the two agreed on cooperation in various scientific, technological and intellgence programs.
The governance of Batyraq was also reformed. Before, it was overseen by a rotating presidency between the leaders of the two nations. However, now a Commission composed of their respective heads of state and government has been established. The leader of the State Union will be Chairman, while the Hasani President will be Vice-Chairman. His Imperial Majesty Shahanshah Iskender IV was granted the honorary leadership of the Pact by being appointed the Paramount Leader of Greater Hasanistan. An inter-parliamentary body has also been established to advise the Commission and strengthen political ties, known as Parliamentary Assembly of the Batyraq Pact.
The Batyraq duo has also agreed to build strong relations with the Mahusetan territories in the Greater Hasanistan region, Starnia and Virgo. They have also been offered to become partners in the Pact, although this has been speculated to be unlikely. President Hasan Çakar has said he hopes to talk with the Mahusetan Hasanistani Office for Intra-Hasanistani Affairs about the new agreement.
The full treaty may be read here.
