Early Development

History of diplomacy

Part 2

Duties of diplomatic missions

E) Promotion and development of friendly relations between both states.

In the scope of its functions, the diplomatic mission is under the duty to respect the laws of the receiving state and not to interfere in the internal affairs of that state (Vienna Convention, Art.41, §l). Likewise, the premises of the mission may not be used in any matter incompatible with its functions (Vienna Convention, Art.41, §3). Concretely, diplomats are not supposed to make public statements on the internal policy of the receiving state or to meddle with internal disputes. They should avoid in general any attitude prejudicial to the receiving state. In case of interference, a diplomat may be declared persona non grata, no longer acceptable, by the receiving state and required to leave the country immediately. This power may be used any time and without giving reasons (Vienna Convention, Art.9, §1). It is exercised most often in the case of spying.

Ex.1. Answer the questions:

1. What is diplomacy in its simplest definition?

2. Who were the first diplomatic activities institutionalized by?

3. When was the system of permanent embassies established?

4. How long was the process of codification of diplomatic activities?

5. What is the role of diplomatic relations?

6. When does the establishment of diplomatic relations take place?

7. Is recognition important for the establishment of diplomatic relations?

8. What are the functions of a diplomatic mission?

9. What are the five main activities of a diplomatic mission?

10. What are the duties of a diplomatic mission?

Ex. 2 Summarize the text briefly. Use the following expressions to guide your thinking:

1. authorized agents

2. official envoys

3. sophisticated set of rules

4. a significant extent

5. a pre-eminent role

6. a liaison

7. indispensable

8. mutual consent

9. recognition

10. withdrawal

11. severance

12. to provide

13. activities

14. under the duty

As soon as people organized themselves into separate social groups, the necessity of regularizing contacts with representatives of other groups became apparent. Even the earliest civilizations had rules for interaction.

The first civilization to develop an orderly system of diplomacy was ancient Greece. Ambassadors and special missions were sent from city to city to deliver messages and warnings, to transfer gifts, and to plead the cases of their own people before the rulers of other city-states. These diplomatic missions, however, were occasional and sporadic.

With the decline of Greece and the rise of the Roman Empire, the Greek system of diplomacy disappeared. As Rome expanded, its diplomacy served the purposes of conquest and annexation. The Romans were not inclined to coexist with other states on the basis of mutual interests. Rome issued commands; it did not negotiate.

Answer the questions:

1. When did the necessity of regularizing contacts with representatives of other groups become apparent?

2. What was the first civilization to develop an orderly system of diplomacy? What kind of system was it?

3. What was characteristic of the Roman diplomacy?

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