Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practice

Introduction

Diplomacy is the principal peaceful method through which states and other international actors communicate, negotiate and manage relations.

Diplomatic practice includes representation, negotiation, information gathering, communication, dispute management and the development of international relationships.

Core Concepts

Diplomacy: The conduct of international relations through communication, negotiation, representation and peaceful engagement.

Diplomatic Practice: The established procedures and methods used by diplomats and diplomatic institutions.

Diplomatic Relations: Formal relations maintained between states through diplomatic channels.

Diplomatic Representation: The official representation of one state in another state or international organization.

Diplomatic Service: The government institution responsible for conducting a state’s external diplomatic relations.

Foreign Ministry: The government ministry responsible for foreign affairs and diplomatic relations.

Diplomatic Missions

Embassy: The principal diplomatic mission of one state in the capital of another state.

High Commission: A diplomatic mission exchanged between Commonwealth countries.

Consulate: A diplomatic office responsible primarily for consular and citizen-related services in a foreign country.

Consul General: A senior consular official heading a consulate general.

Permanent Mission: A diplomatic mission representing a state before an international organization.

Diplomatic Mission: A formal representation of one state in another state or international organization.

Diplomatic Personnel

Diplomat: An official representing a state in international relations.

Ambassador: The senior diplomatic representative of a state accredited to another state or, in some cases, an international organization.

High Commissioner: The head of a High Commission.

Chargé d’Affaires: A diplomat who heads a diplomatic mission when an ambassador is absent or when an ambassador has not been appointed or accredited.

Envoy: A diplomatic representative sent for a particular mission or purpose.

Special Envoy: A representative appointed to address a specific international issue, conflict or diplomatic task.

Diplomatic Attaché: A diplomat assigned responsibility for a particular field, such as defence, economic affairs or culture.

Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges

Diplomatic Immunity: Legal protections provided to accredited diplomats under international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Diplomatic Privileges: Special rights and protections granted to diplomatic missions and personnel.

Persona Non Grata: A diplomat whom the receiving state declares unacceptable and requires to leave or whose accreditation it refuses to recognize.

Inviolability: Legal protection against certain forms of interference, arrest or search applicable to diplomatic personnel and premises under international law.

Diplomatic Communication

Diplomatic Note: A formal written communication between governments or diplomatic missions.

Note Verbale: A formal third-person diplomatic communication commonly used between diplomatic missions and foreign ministries.

Démarche: A formal diplomatic representation or communication concerning a particular issue.

Joint Statement: A statement issued collectively by two or more governments.

Communiqué: An official communication summarizing discussions, decisions or agreements.

Diplomatic Cable: A secure official communication transmitted between diplomatic missions and a foreign ministry.

Diplomatic Negotiation

Negotiation: A process through which parties attempt to reach an agreement.

Diplomatic Negotiation: Negotiation conducted through official diplomatic channels.

Bargaining: The process of exchanging proposals and concessions to reach an acceptable outcome.

Compromise: An arrangement in which parties make reciprocal concessions.

Confidence-Building Measure: An action intended to reduce mistrust and the risk of misunderstanding between states.

Backchannel Diplomacy: Informal or discreet communication conducted outside normal public diplomatic channels.

Shuttle Diplomacy: Diplomatic engagement in which a mediator or envoy moves between parties that are unwilling or unable to meet directly.

Diplomatic Recognition

Recognition: Formal or practical acknowledgment of the status of a state or government.

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: Formal agreement to establish official diplomatic relations between states.

Recall of Ambassador: Withdrawal of an ambassador from a diplomatic post.

Breaking Diplomatic Relations: Termination of formal diplomatic relations.

Diplomatic Expulsion: Removal of a diplomat by the receiving state.

Modern Diplomacy

Summit Diplomacy: Direct diplomatic engagement among heads of government or heads of state.

Conference Diplomacy: Negotiation conducted through international conferences.

Track One Diplomacy: Official government-to-government diplomacy.

Track Two Diplomacy: Informal dialogue involving non-governmental experts, academics or civil society actors.

Track 1.5 Diplomacy: Dialogue involving both official and unofficial participants.

Preventive Diplomacy: Diplomatic efforts intended to prevent disputes or crises from escalating into conflict.

Crisis Diplomacy: Diplomatic engagement during an acute international crisis.

Diplomatic Functions

Diplomatic missions commonly perform functions including:

• Representing the sending state
• Protecting the interests of the sending state and its nationals
• Negotiating with the receiving state
• Reporting on political and economic developments
• Promoting friendly relations
• Supporting economic and cultural relations
• Providing consular services

Key Distinctions

Embassy vs Consulate: An embassy is the principal diplomatic mission; a consulate primarily handles consular and citizen-related functions.

Ambassador vs Consul: An ambassador is the principal diplomatic representative; a consul primarily performs consular functions.

Diplomacy vs Negotiation: Negotiation is one activity within the broader practice of diplomacy.

Track One vs Track Two Diplomacy: Track One involves official government representatives; Track Two involves unofficial actors.

Public vs Private Diplomacy: Public diplomacy engages broader foreign audiences; private diplomacy generally involves confidential official communication.

Key Terms at a Glance

Diplomacy | Diplomatic Practice | Diplomatic Relations | Embassy | High Commission | Consulate | Permanent Mission | Diplomat | Ambassador | High Commissioner | Chargé d’Affaires | Envoy | Special Envoy | Diplomatic Immunity | Persona Non Grata | Démarche | Note Verbale | Backchannel Diplomacy | Shuttle Diplomacy | Summit Diplomacy | Preventive Diplomacy

Related Glossaries

Foreign Policy | Bilateral and Multilateral Diplomacy | Public Diplomacy | International Law | International Organizations | Negotiation and Mediation