Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union
Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union Union Coopérative Micronationale Laurentienne (French) | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: "Ab ipso ducit opes animumque ferro" (Latin) | |
 Location of member states | |
| Capital | Saguenay |
| Region | St. Lawrence River, North America |
| Largest settlement | Villemaison, Saint-Castin |
| Official languages | |
| Recognized languages | |
| Type | Association of sovereign states |
| Membership | 3 member states |
| Leaders | |
• Executive College | |
• External auditor[a] |  Prince Jean-Pierre IV |
| Establishment | |
• Convention of Saguenay | 6 February 2022 |
• Convention of Saint-Jacques | 11 March 2023 |
| Currency | Piastre (Ᵽ) |
Website Official website | |
The Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union (French: Union Coopérative Micronationale Laurentienne) also known as the LMCU or the UCML is an association of independent and sovereign member states located in the Laurentian region of North America. Originally established as a monetary union, it evolved to become a regional union, while still preserving the monetary union within its structure.
The LMCU was founded with the goal to play a significant role in the Laurentian region and to foster cooperation between member states in the fields of economy, environment, foreign relations, culture and defence. The Union also has a common currency, the piastre (Ᵽ) which member states can adopt as their own currency as Piaster Zone adherent states. LMCU bills have been in circulation and accepted as a means of payment in participating member states since 6 February 2022.
History
Foundation of the Union
The LMCU was founded as a micronational monetary zone in the Laurentian region of North America. It was established on 6 February 2022, when the governments of the Newgraviate of Saint-Castin and the Principality of Beremagne decided to align themselves and adopt a common currency, the piastre. This was formalized with the signing of the Convention of Saguenay, which established the monetary union.
Convention of Saguenay
The Convention of Saguenay is the treaty signed between the governments of the Newgraviate of Saint-Castin and the Principality of Beremagne establishing the Laurentian Monetary Cooperative Union. The Convention established the collegiality of decisions, with no executive presidency.
Transformation into a regional union
The LMCU slowly transformed into a regional union and following interest of integrating other states, without full integration in the monetary union, the decision was taken to establish a new convention.
Convention of Saint-Jacques
Signed on 11 March 2023, the Convention of Saint-Jacques is the treaty signed between the original member states of the LMCU, with the addition of the Principality of Sancratosia. It preserves the original Convention of Saguenay as a chapter within the Convention. It establishes a strong separation between the monetary union and the other aspects of the LMCU. It enshrines more specifically the competences of the Union and reaffirms the sovereignty of member states.
Structure
Executive College
The Executive College is the governing body of the organization. It is composed of a representative from each member state and decisions within are taken by consensus.
The current representatives on the Executive College are:
Beremagne — Prince Emanuel
Saint-Castin — Minister-President Dominic Desaintes
Sancratosia — Princess Cloe
The competences of the Executive College are:
- the administration of the Union;
- the execution of the decisions;
- the management of the Piaster Zone;
- the study of treaties, conventions, protocols, declarations, participation in international and supranational organizations, and other agreements and decisions on foreign policy and international diplomacy ratified by member states
- the unified command of the military forces of the member states, where applicable
- consideration of governmental decisions and appointments of member states
- the signing of treaties, conventions, protocols, declarations, and other agreements and decisions on all matters within the competence of the Union
- the public position of the Union on all matters of interest to it;
The Executive College is also responsible for representing the Union to different intermicronational organizations and negotiating the international agreements necessary for its operation.
Piaster Zone
The Union has a common currency called the "Piaster". The States adhering to this common currency form the "Piaster Zone" of the Union. The adherent states of the Piaster Zone establish among themselves an exchange rate with the common currency and with other currencies. The exchange rate of the Piaster is set at parity at a rate of 0.05€ for 1Ᵽ, or 1€ for 20Ᵽ.
The two states adhering to the Piaster Zone are the Principality of Bérémagne and the Newgraviate of Saint-Castin. It is possible for a LMCU member state not to join the Piaster Zone. The Principality of Sancratosia, for example, has not joined the Piaster Zone, but accepts the Piaster as a method of payment.
The management of the Piaster Zone is carried out by the Executive College, together with the central banks of the adherent states. Oversight of the administration of the Zone is provided by the External Auditor.
External auditor
The direction of the Piaster Zone is supervised by the External Auditor, who must not be a citizen of any of adherent states and must have a recognized expertise in the financial and economic sector. The current External Auditor is Prince Jean-Pierre IV of the Principality of Aigues-Mortes. The Prince was selected for his background in the banking sector.
Members
Full member states
- Independent and Sovereign Principality of Beremagne
- Newgraviate of Saint-Castin
- Principality of Sancratosia
Adherent states to the Piaster Zone
See also
Member states
References
Informational notes
- ↑ The external auditor is only affected to the "Piaster Zone".
Citations
External links
Official website of the Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union