Credentials

APPROVAL OF A HEAD OF MISSION BY THE HOST STATE

TITLES OF HEADS OF MISSION

It is usual for an Ambassador to be styled ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’. (An Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary was at one time superior in status to a resident Ambassador.) Similarly the head of a legation is likely to be styled ‘Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary’.

Before a head of mission is appointed to a post, the approval or agreementof the receiving state is sought confidentially. This approval will normally be given, but may be withheld if it is considered that the person concerned is not acceptable and in this event no reason has to be given. In practice, an official hint of unacceptability would normally be enough for a nomination to be withdrawn.

A head of mission is provided with credentials to prove his authenticity to the Head of the State to which he is accredited. These are alternatively referred to as Letters of Credence and are somewhat ornate in style, e.g.

For Ambassadors

To [full name and title of head of state]

Excellency:

I have appointed X.Y.Z., a distinguished citizen of [name of sending state], to represent me before your Government as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of [name of sending state].

He is well aware of the mutual interests of our two countries and shares my sincere desire to preserve and enhance the long friendship between us.

My faith in his high character and ability gives me entire confidence that he will carry out his duties in a manner fully acceptable to you.

Accordingly I entrust him to your confidence. I ask that you receive him favourably, and give full credence to what he shall on the part of [name of sanding state] as well as to the assurances which he bears of my best wishes for the prosperity of [name of receiving state].

Yours very truly

[Signature of Head of State]

By the head of state

[Signature of Minister of Foreign Affairs]

[Place] [Date]

In the Commonwealth the Sovereign is Head of 18 of the 49 member states, and when heads of mission are exchanged between such states they are provided with a letter of introduction from Prime Minister to Prime Minister.

When a Head of State who is a sovereign dies or otherwise ceases to reign, the credentials of all heads of mission accredited to the sovereign become invalid; similarly the credentials issued by the sovereign become invalid, and in both instances require renewal. This requirement does not, however, apply in the event of the death of a president of the termination of his period of office, and is no longer effective in the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27