Diplomatic protocol and etiquette

Diplomatic protocol is a system of rules of etiquette of interstate relations, based on the principle of international courtesy. Violation of these rules can damage the authority and prestige of the state.

Officially, the diplomatic protocol begins its history in the XIX century. The Vienna Congress of 1814-1815 established a system of rules, conventions and traditions of international communication that were to be observed by the heads of state, the presidents of governments, diplomatic representatives, and official representatives. At the heart of diplomatic relations is the respect of the state to foreign guests and, accordingly, to all the people they represent. Respect and mutual understanding allows to regulate practically all spheres of external political, economic and international relations.

Basic principles of the diplomatic protocol system:

1. Diplomatic etiquette. It is the main component of the protocol and regulates the relations of officials, political leaders and public figures of different states. Diplomatic etiquette complements and improves the rules of civil etiquette. Communication in business, public and government circles is subject to strict rules that govern:

• Correspondence and address to each other, making visits, holding meetings and business receptions.
• Form of civil servant's clothing and manner of behavior.

2. Sovereignty of states - different states have different privileges and enjoy different rights.

3. Reciprocity - or, in other words, the rule of mandatory response. A letter, a courtesy call, an invitation or a business card must be formally answered. And the answer should contain the introductory (at the beginning of the letter) and the final (at the end of the letter) compliment. The absence of a compliment is regarded as disrespect or even hostility, which will serve as an occasion for an international conflict.

4. The diplomatic protocol strictly follows the principle of precedence, which depends on the rank of the representative of the state and on the date of its accreditation, and not on the importance of the country.

Diplomatic etiquette and protocol necessarily include:

1. Ceremonies and official receptions. Cases for official receptions are different: jubilee dates, the arrival of the head of state or government, foreign delegations, national holidays. The receptions can be evening or afternoon, without seating and seating arrangements - it all depends on the occasion. Evenings are considered the most solemn.
2. Conversations and meetings that take place between the heads of state services with diplomatic missions. The day of the conversation, time, place and topics are agreed in advance.
3. Official dinners, lunches, breakfasts or receptions, which are held by heads of state, heads of government, ambassadors, ministers, consuls, military attaches, commanders of ships. Diplomatic meetings are held regardless of significant events, in the order of daily work. This kind of interaction significantly expands the ties, strengthens friendship between countries, influences local government, allows exchanging necessary information and getting a new one.

Diplomatic protocol and etiquette are needed not only by the first persons of the state and diplomats, but also by any civil servant who deals with issues of international economic cooperation, and businessmen, if their activity is related to cooperation with foreign partners. Mastery of business etiquette standards significantly enhances the prestige of not only the individual representative of the state, but the whole country as a whole.