[Beck]

I agree, Master Belisarius. However there must be some middle ground. The signing of a simple trade agreement does not have to allow free access to each other's territory, particularly free access by ships containing weapons. Our planet is complex maze of trade agreements that does not allow for such access. Frequently I do not sign any such agreements simply because I don't want them poking around all my systems. Perhaps there could different levels of trade and trade/research agreements that allow for varying degrees of access. At the low end there would be no access, but trade and or research would be minimal. Access to systems adjacent to each other only would increase the level of trade/research and finally full access would garner the best possible level of trade and research.