Diplomatic and Consular Practice
/Diplomatic Instruments Drafting Techniques
Content
Diplomatic and consular relations are not something new. As regards diplomatic relations, although they are indeed not unknown in the sixteenth century, they become permanent at that time. Unlike diplomatic relations, consular relations are not something new but what marked their development is the fact that from that period on, consuls would no longer be chosen from among merchants. They would be chosen by the King and would be very close ambassadors even if they were in charge of commercial matters.
From the sixteenth century on, diplomats started settling in a country for an enduring mission on one hand and merchants engaged in international trade got protected by consuls on the other hand.
For a long time, diplomatic relations were based on practices without specific regulations. These practices ultimately got codified in international agreements. At first, the Vienna Congress of 1815 complemented in 1818 by the protocol of Aix-la-Chappelle. The last agreement in this area was signed on April 18, 1961 in Vienna: “The Convention on diplomatic relations”. According to article 2 of this convention, diplomatic relations rest on the mutual agreement of the countries.
The diplomatic mission can be defined as a set of individuals appointed by a state referred to as “the accrediting state” to exercise, under the authority of a head of mission, activities of a diplomatic nature on the territory of a foreign state referred to as “the receiving state.”
The diplomatic mission performs a standard role under the Vienna convention of 1961. According to article 3 of the Vienna Convention, the regular activities are: The representation of the accrediting state, the protection of the accrediting state’s interests and of its citizens within the limits permitted by international law, negotiations with the receiving state, the communication through any lawful means of conditions and developments in the receiving state by reporting to the accrediting state, the development of friendly relations, including economic, cultural and scientific relations.
All diplomatic missions are composed of a head of mission and of staff under his authority.
Mission
Respect of protocol and implementation of its rules is important in public and international life. Knowledge of the main rules of protocol is thus essential for a future diplomat as well as for anybody involved in public relations.
The course aims at initiating the students to the various aspects and elements of the diplomatic protocol so that they can behave and act in different situations while respecting the various rules and customs. It will also tackle diplomatic correspondence and the correct organization of a diplomatic event.
At the end of the course, the students will have acquired an outfit of varied skills:
• a mastering and an understanding of the diplomatic protocol and of its implementation in various institutions;
• a general practice of the instruments of diplomatic communication and of the formal aspects of the organization of events.
3 ECTS