Department of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sir Peter Gumley, Count of Armstrong GIOL OM KLOC

Department of Foreign Affairs

Description of Department

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA) is the Lehmark Government department responsible for the Empire’s micro- and macronational diplomatic representations and communications, and for providing consular services and secure travel identification for Lehmark's officials and citizens who are abroad. Other official DOFA activities include facilitating matters concerning bi-lateral trade, markets and investment opportunities and the provision of international humanitarian aid and disaster relief that is within the capability of the Empire.

  • The Minister is required to advise the Emperor and Autocrat of situational developments in the micronational world and how these may affect Lehmark.

  • The Minister receives all Applications for Diplomatic Relations and determines by research the bona fides of applicant micronations to ascertain if such applicants are suitable for the interests of Lehmark.

  • The Minister oversees the implementation of Lehmark's Foreign Affairs activities, in particular assisting the Emperor by initiating and nurturing relationships that relate to negotiations of treaties and economic trade deals with other micronations.

  • When and where practical, the Minister will assist the Emperor in the selection of suitable candidates to be appointed as Ambassadors for the Government of Lehmark.

  • The Minister will assist the Emperor with the establishment of Lehmarkian Embassies within the States of Lehmark that exist outside the Australian mainland and also with the establishment of diplomatic representation within recognised micronations.

  • The Minister will assist and advise the Emperor and Autocrat with processing formal requests from recognised micronations for the establishment of foreign Embassies or Legations within Lehmark.

These duties and responsibilities promote the status and prestige of the Empire of Lehmark on the micronational world stage and demonstrate the high ethical, moral and philosophical standards of benevolent governance that motivate and inspire the Emperor and Autocrat of Lehmark and its’ Citizens.

Contact the Department of Foreign Affairs via email: LehmarkDOFA@gmail.com

Connect with the Department of Foreign Affairs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LehmarkDoFA

Current Foreign Policy, Ratified Treaties and Diplomacy

As at 18 November 2021

  • The Empire is a peaceful tolerant micronation that disavows all notions of inter-micronational warfare as being irresponsible and futile. Lehmark’s national defence, consists of the Imperial Legion, who double as the police force. Ownership of firearms is banned the Empire of Lehmark.

    • Due to our position on peace, Lehmark cannot participate in any military conflict, this includes conflicts involving our allies.

  • The Empire of Lehmark will not consider applications for diplomatic relations from persons aged under 15 years or from micronations that have a formative history of less than 12 months. Micronations applying should strongly consider having an independent website before applying.

  • The Empire of Lehmark will not consider applications for diplomatic relations from micronations that base their activities on digital gaming, militarism or fanciful role play.

  • The Empire of Lehmark will not negotiate a treaty with any micronation that displays or promotes hate speech, violence, intolerance of religion, race, gender or ethnicity.

  • If, after co-signing a treaty with a micronation that micronation subsequently displays any of the above listed behaviours (1 – 4), then the Empire of Lehmark will announce that the conditions of the co-signed treaty have been breached and the treaty is now void.

Annexation Request

Citizens of Lehmark are provided the opportunity to undergo the Annexation Process and add their Property to Lehmark as a new State.

  • Annexation confers a Title of Peerage and a Seat in the Imperial Senate. Peers of Lehmark are eligible to be appointed as an Imperial Proconsul; and are charged with ensuring State compliance with Imperial Law and ensuring contact with their constituency.

Please refer to the below for detailed information before Requesting Annexation via the linked Form below.

Official Explanation of Annexation

  • Annexation implies the transfer of Sovereignty over a specified Property from one nation to another. Through Annexation, the Empire of Lehmark makes a claim of sovereignty over the Property Annexed.

  • Annexation does not change the 'Ownership' of any property, land, dwelling or the like. Lehmark does not take possession or ownership over Annexed Properties.

  • Annexation gives Lehmark ability to expand her national borders and jurisdiction: Which by extension expands the area where Lehmarkian Law is enforceable and represents an integral part of the Empire.

The Annexation Process

Annexation Process as per Imperial Decree XXXIII:

  1. Citizens of Lehmark may Apply via the Citizen Annexation Request Form (or the like).

  2. The Department of Foreign Affairs will review the Application and forward to the Emperor and Autocrat for final review.

  3. Upon Imperial Approval, the Citizen will be presented with a Treaty of Annexation to review. Pending no amendments the Citizen will sign and return. The Emperor will sign as well and return to the Department.

  4. The Emperor will prepare, sign and publish relevant Imperial Decree(s) to Ratify the Treaty. Thereby completing the Annexation Process. The Emperor may choose to Grant Citizens the Privilege of Ennoblement as reward.

Ambassadorship

As of October 2020, the Empire of Lehmark has developed the infrastructure to establish Embassies overseas.

Citizens of Lehmark are able to become either Ambassadors by filling out the Application below. The Memorandum on Embassy Representation establishes the nature and conduct of these specific diplomatic appointments.

Please refer to the below for detailed information before Applying via the linked Form below.

Current Ambassadors

  • Peter Gumley, Count of Armstrong GIOL OM KLOC - Ambassador to the Southern Confederation of Angosvria.

  • Min Chun Hsieh - Ambassador to Taiwan.

  • Jean Christophe Ikumi Mashali, Baron of the Empire of Lehmark KLOC - Ambassador to DR of Congo

  • Tarun Batra, Baron of the Empire of Lehmark - Ambassador to India

  • Anni Crowhurst, Count of Salop KLOC - Ambassador to the United Kingdom

  • Yannick Beuvelet, Count of Saint George OM - Ambassador to France

What is Ambassadorship?

  • An Ambassador of Lehmark will be a registered Citizen of Lehmark residing within the territory of an overseas nation, and who represents the interests of the Empire of Lehmark under the authority of its Minister of Foreign Affairs.

  • The prime duty of an Ambassador will be to maintain positive relations with their appointment micronation and secondarily, to publicise the philosophy, governance, privileges and activities of the Empire of Lehmark.

Salary of a Ambassador: 10,000f per year

Please note salaries are paid in the Imperial Florin, the official currency of the Empire of Lehmark, and is not usable outside the claimed jurisdiction of the Empire.

Diplomatic Expenses

As Lehmark is a micronation, our ability to reimburse Ambassadors for macronational expenses, is very limited.

Therefore Ambassadors are expected to keep their expenses to a minimum, preferably nothing. If an expense is incurred, a request can be made to the Department of Treasury, who will consider the claim.

However Ambassadors will be conducting their work primarily from their residential dwelling, using emails and other internet based services, the opportunity to incur macronational expenses is very limited.

Memorandum on National Development

Individualised Development Plans for Departments and Agencies, were introduced by Memorandum on 11 November 2020.

In Lehmark, Ministers and Agency Leaders have a duty to undertake necessary works that contribute towards the progression and development of Lehmark as a micronation. The Memorandum on National Development, provides directives for Ministers and Agency Leaders so they can satisfy that duty.