The severance of diplomatic relations: causes and consequences

The art of diplomacy is the highest form of communication between people. Between any states there is always a mass of big and small contradictions and competitive interests that it is always difficult to settle them and establish a benevolent relationship. And often the slightest conflict can be fraught with serious consequences. Let's talk about what it means to break diplomatic relations between countries, what are the causes of such actions and what are their possible consequences.

Diplomatic relations

The establishment of official relations between states is called diplomatic relations. This is a specific sphere of human communication. In 1961, all states of the world signed a convention that diplomatic relations are established between the subjects of international law by mutual consent. For newly formed states, it is traditional to establish such interaction first it is necessary to obtain a legal recognition of the sovereignty and legitimacy of its existence. The establishment of relations is a mutual confirmation of the non-hostile attitude of the two countries. The presence of diplomatic ties suggests that, even if there are contradictions, there is a hope to find compromise solutions on various issues. The emergence of insoluble problems between states can lead to the disruption of diplomatic relations.

Parties to diplomatic relations

The main actors in diplomacy are officially authorized representatives of state power, who are delegated the rights and responsibilities for establishing interaction with the same representatives of another country. Such representatives can be:

- Permanent diplomatic missions, these can be embassies or missions. The main actors on behalf of the head of state are envoys and ambassadors. The embassies are considered the highest in terms of status by the diplomatic bodies, their opening in the country emphasizes the special importance of the relationship with it. Missions are a slightly lower level of relations, often missions are opened as a preliminary body before the appearance of the embassy.

- Consulates. This is the body that deals with the affairs of citizens of the country in the territory of another state. Usually consulates open in addition to embassies in those countries where there are close interactions between residents of states.

- Trade and cultural representations . They can be an auxiliary body in addition to the embassy, but can perform independent functions to establish trade or cultural exchanges and interactions between countries.

The state policy is carried out at the level of embassies and missions. Ambassadors can negotiate, communicate the point of view of their government to the ambassador of the partner country. They can express protests, defend the interests of their country and announce that there is a break in diplomatic relations.

Importance of diplomatic relations

It's not in vain that diplomacy is often called art. The settlement of the interests of different states is a very difficult matter. Maintaining diplomatic relations means that states continue to seek compromises on issues that cause contradictions. All countries always pursue their own interests in the first place. But since everyone has to reckon with its neighbors on the planet, the states try to keep the interaction until the very last moment. For example, Russia and the United States are obvious antagonists and in many ways even opponents, however, despite the deepest contradictions, they continue the dialogue and do not allow an official break of diplomatic relations. The consequences of this step could be very sad for the world as a whole. For the dialogue between countries, additional world sites are being created, for example, the UN, in the framework of which countries help to find compromise solutions that would suit the whole community of the planet.

Concept of the severance of diplomatic relations

Unresolved conflicts and contradictions can lead the country to the fact that they officially announce the termination of cooperation. In accordance with the Vienna Convention, the breaking of diplomatic relations between countries is the official announcement by one of the partner countries about the termination of the dialogue. At the same time, it is necessary to export representatives and ambassadors, members of their families to their homeland. Also, all property of embassies is transported and premises are vacated. At the same time, an intermediary state can protect the interests of citizens of a country that is severing relations. All these actions must be documented. The gap is necessarily announced publicly, so that all countries and people know about the new state of affairs. At the same time, the state can finally or temporarily withdraw its ambassadors, before resolving any situation.

Causes

The most frequent reasons for the severance of diplomatic relations are territorial conflicts. Many countries have claims to other states over some disputed land. There are protracted conflicts that do not find their solution, but do not lead to a rupture of relations. For example, the dispute around Lake Constance between Germany, Austria and Switzerland. And there are disputes that go into the phase of military operations, for example, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Lebanon and Syria. Wars can periodically fade, but conflicts remain unresolved. Also, the cause of recall of diplomats may be some unwanted behavior of another country. For example, the US recalls its ambassadors, trying to exert pressure on the policies of different states: Cuba, Iran. Ukraine has long threatened to break diplomatic relations with Russia because of the Crimea. The reason for the rupture may be military actions on the territory of the country, which threaten the ambassadors and their families. So with the beginning of the fighting, many countries withdrew their ambassadors from Syria and Libya.

Functions of severing diplomatic relations

Why do countries need a break in diplomatic relations? Most often it is used as a mechanism of pressure on the country-opponent. The recall of ambassadors usually causes a wide world public condemnation, public organizations begin to interfere in the conflict, trying to remove it. All this has a strong psychological impact on the country, from the territory of which the embassies are evacuated. An important function of this diplomatic action is the creation of a resonance. Increasingly, the attention of peacekeeping organizations can lead to a search for a solution to the problem situation. Any break in diplomatic relations is a demonstration of attitudes and intentions. Often, after this, other serious, unfriendly actions follow. Thus, this diplomatic step is like a "last warning".

Effects

So what is the threat of a break in diplomatic relations? Often it is fraught with the outbreak of war. But more often after all, the recall of the ambassadors is followed by various sanctions. For example, the US in the conflict with Cuba after the severance of relations declared an embargo designed to inflict enormous economic damage on the country in order to break it. The US used the same tactics in Iran. Quite often the breakdown of relations is temporary and the next step is the search for compromises. Despite the loud name, recall of ambassadors does not lead to a complete cessation of relations. Most of the agreements on cooperation cease to exist and this is the main consequence of such a diplomatic step. But relations between citizens of countries do not stop, consulates continue to deal with their problems, help to return to their homeland if necessary. If the consulate is also eliminated, the fate of citizens must be entrusted to third countries.

Examples

The history of mankind knows many examples of the dissolution of all agreements on interaction. For example, the disruption of diplomatic relations between Russia and Britain in 1927, between England and Argentina because of the Falkland Islands, between the USSR and Israel, between Russia and Georgia.