| Accession |
The procedure by which a nation becomes a party to an agreement already in force between other nations |
| Accords |
International agreements originally thought to be for lesser subjects than covered by treaties, but now really treaties by a different name |
| Accredited |
When a diplomatic mission based in one country is the concurrent representative to two or more countries |
| Ad Referendum |
An agreement reached ad referendum means an agreement reached by negotiators at the table, subject to the subsequent concurrence of their governments |
| Agrément |
Diplomatic courtesy requires that before a state appoints a new head of a diplomatic mission to represent it in another state, it must first ascertain whether the proposed appointee is acceptable to the receiving state. The agreement of the receiving state is signified by its granting its agrément to the appointment. It is unusual for an agrément to be refused, but it occasionally happens |
| Aide Memoire |
A written summary of the key points made by a diplomat in an official conversation. Literally, a document left with the other party to the conversation, either at the time of the conversation or subsequently, as an aid to memory |
| Alternat |
When an agreement is signed between two states, or among several states, each signatory keeps an official copy for itself. The term alternat refers to the principle which provides that a state’s own name will be listed ahead of the other signatory, or signatories, in its own official copy. It is a practice devised centuries ago to handle sensitivities over precedence |
| Ambassador |
A diplomat or an official envoy accredited to a foreign government as the official resident representative of his/her own government; or an official appointed for a special, usually temporary, diplomatic assignment. In Commonwealth countries the senior diplomatic representatives of other Commonwealth countries are called high commissioners |
| Ambassador-Designate |
An official who has been named to be an ambassador, but who has not yet presented his/her credentials to the authorities of the receiving state |
| Asylum |
Used in diplomacy to mean providing refuge. In some cases this means providing refuge within the extra-territorial grounds of an embassy, in others it is when one state allows someone to live within its borders, out of reach of the authority of a second state from which the person seeks protection |
| Attaché |
Civilian attachés are either junior officers in an embassy/high commission or, senior officers who have a professional specialisation such as "labour attaché", "commercial attaché", "cultural attaché", etc.
On the military side, an embassy will generally have a defence attaché or in larger embassies there will also be an army attaché, naval attaché, and or air attaché. In smaller missions one attaché may cover tri-service activities and responsibilities. These consist primarily of liaison work with local military authorities and reporting on defence matters in the host country. When serving in high commissions, defence, army, navy and air representatives are designated as advisers rather than attaches
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| Calls |
Calling has largely disappeared from private life, but it is a practice which is still useful for diplomats when the early establishment of extensive contacts is useful.. Soon after arrival at a new post, a diplomat will embark on a program of calls on those with whom he/she will be dealing and whom it will be useful to get to know |
| Casus Belli |
An action by one state regarded as so contrary to the interests of another state as to be considered by that second state as a cause for war |
| Chancelleries |
As in "chancelleries of Europe", i.e. foreign offices |
| Chancery |
The office where the head of mission and his staff work. This office is often called the embassy, but for clarity’s sake it is useful to use the terms distinguish between the two by using the terms "ambassador’s/high commissioner’s residence" and "embassy/high commission’ |
| Chancery, Head of |
A senior position in British embassies/high commissions, but not commonly found in other diplomatic offices. An officer, usually head of the political section, charged with coordinating the substantive policy and administrative work of the embassy/high commission |
| Chargé d’ Affaires e.p.(en pied) |
A diplomat accredited by letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a country in lieu of an accredited resident ambassador |
| Chargé d’Affaires,a.i.(ad interim) |
A senior officer taking charge of the embassy when the ambassador is absent from the post (e.g. on leave) or in the interval between the departure of the ambassador and the arrival of a successor. At high commissions, the senior officer taking charge of the post temporarily is designated as acting high commissioner |
| Chief of Mission |
The senior officer in an embassy, high commission, permanent mission, legation, consulate-general or consulate (i.e. ambassador, high commissioner, minister, consul-general, or consul) |
| Communiqué |
A brief public summary statement issued following important bilateral or multilateral meetings |
| Conciliation |
An effort to achieve agreement and, hopefully, increased goodwill between two opposed parties |
| Concordat |
A treaty to which the Pope is a party |
| Conference or Congress |
International meetings. In the diplomatic sense, a congress has the same meaning as a conference. |
| Consul-General |
A consular officer of the highest rank; i.e. the senior official at a consulate-general |
| Consul, Honorary |
A host-country national appointed by a foreign state to perform limited consular functions in a locality where the appointing state has no other consular representation |
| Consular Agent |
An official doing consular work for a nation in a locality where it does not maintain a regular consulate. This official is usually a national of the host state, and his/her work is usually part-time |
| Consulate-General or Consulate |
Offices established by one state in important cities of another state for the purpose of supporting and protecting its citizens travelling or residing there. In addition, these offices are charged with performing other administrative duties such as issuing visas (where necessary) to host country nationals wishing to travel to the country represented by the consulate-general or consulate. Consulates-general or consulates in the capital city or in other cities come under the control of the ambassador/high commissioner. In carrying out their consular duties, they also serve as branch offices for the embassy/high commission, supporting the latter’s political and economic responsibilities. Consulates also have a useful role in connection with the promotion of their country’s exports and other commercial activities. Officers performing consular duties are known as consuls-general, consuls or, vice consuls. The consul-general is in charge of a consulate-general, while consulates are headed by a consul |
| Convention |
A legal agreement between two or more states concerning matters of common interest. While supposedly used for lesser matters than embraced in a treaty, it often deals with important subjects – international postal and copyright laws, the law of the sea, whaling, human rights etc |
| Credentials |
The name for letters given to an ambassador by his chief of state, and addressed to the chief of state of his host country. They are delivered to the latter by ambassadors in a formal credentials ceremony, which generally takes place shortly after his arrival at a new post. Until this ceremony has taken place he is not formally recognized by the host country, and he cannot officially act as an ambassador. The letters are termed "letters of credence" because they request the receiving chief of state to give "full credence" to what the ambassador will say or do on behalf of his government |
| Cross accreditation |
When an ambassador or high commissioner is concurrently accredited to two or more countries |
| Declaration |
Not a commonly used term, but it is sometimes used to mean a joint statement by two or more states having the same binding effect as a treaty. Such declarations can be made on a stand-alone basis or appended to a treaty as an added understanding or interpretation |
| Delegation |
Delegation can be used to refer to specific powers delegated by a government to a Cabinet minister or a diplomat to act in certain specific circumstances e.g. to sign a treaty. It also refers to an official party sent to an international conference |
| demarche |
A request or intercession with a foreign official, e.g., a request for support of a policy, or a protest about the host government’s policy or actions |
| Demarché |
A formal approach or intervention by a diplomat, making representations to another government. Normally indicates formally raising an issue with host country government, usually involving a specific request for some action or decision in connection with the issue |
| Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) |
The second in command at an embassy who becomes the chargé d’ affaires in the absence of the ambassador. At high commissions, the officer in such a position would be called the acting high commissioner |
| Détente |
An easing of tension between states |
| Diplomatic bag |
This is a bag in which mail is sent to and from diplomatic/consular missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. If the bag contains classified documents it is carried by a special security-cleared courier, if not, the bag is sent by airfreight |
| Diplomatic Corps |
The group of foreign diplomats resident in a nation’s capital. In cities where consuls and consuls-general are resident, they are collectively known as the consular corps. The dean of both corps is usually the official who had been at his/her post the longest. There are some exceptions to this rule, for example, in some Catholic countries, the papal nuncio is usually the dean of the corps. The dean represents the corps in collective dealings with host country officials on matters of a ceremonial or administrative character affecting the corps as a whole |
| Diplomatic Illness |
The practice of feigning illness to avoid participation in a diplomatic event of one kind or another and at the same time to avoid giving formal offence. "Diplomatic deafness" is a somewhat related concept whereby older diplomats allegedly turn this infirmity to advantage by not hearing what they prefer not to hear |
| Diplomatic Immunity |
Exemption of foreign diplomatic agents or representatives from local jurisdiction |
| Diplomatic Note |
A formal written means of communication among embassies |
| Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities |
Historically accorded in recognition that the diplomat represents (and is responsible to) a different sovereignty; also in order that the legitimate pursuit of his official duties will not be impeded in any unnecessary way. They include inviolability of person and diplomatic premises and exemption from taxation and the civil and criminal jurisdiction of local courts. See also Diplomatic Immunity |
| Diplomatist |
It has the same meaning as "diplomat". An outdated word rarely used now in spoken diplomacy but occasionally still appearing in the literature of diplomacy |
| Dispatch |
A written report, as opposed to a telegraphic, message from an embassy to its home office or vice versa. Nowadays such reports are called memoranda |
| Dual Accreditation |
When an ambassador or high commissioner is concurrently accredited to two or more states |
| Economic Officer |
A career diplomat who specialized in economics rather than political, administrative, or other matters |
| Embassy |
The offices of the ambassador and other key members of his/her staff. (The British Foreign Service, however, uses the term “chancery”) Sometimes, in order to avoid confusion, the terms “ambassador’s residence” and “ambassador’s office” may be used |
| Embassy |
A diplomatic mission in the capital city of a foreign country headed by an ambassador |
| Entente |
Denotes a close understanding between certain nations. It suggests mutual and complementary efforts, and a sense of compatible objectives. It can be agreed on orally or in writing, but as a concept is generally less binding than a treaty relationship |
| Envoy |
Usually refers to a senior diplomat, but can be used to describe a senior official representing his/her government at a conference or on a special mission of limited duration |
| Ex Gratia |
Something which is done as a gesture of good will and not on the basis of an accepted legal obligation |
| Excellency |
The formal title for addressing an ambassador/high commissioner |
| Exchange of Notes |
A common way of recording an agreement. The contents of the notes are, of course, agreed upon in advance by the two governments participating in the exchange |
| Exequatur |
A document issued to a consular officer by the host country government authorizing the officer to carry out his/her consular duties |
| Extradition |
The term for the process, governed by formally concluded agreements, by which fugitives fleeing justice from one country are returned from the country where they have sought refuge. It does not apply to political offences |
| Extraterritoriality |
The exercise by one nation, as a result of formally concluded agreements, of certain functions within the territory of another state. A curtailment of the jurisdiction of the host government in certain specified areas and/or in certain specified respects |
| Ranks (Diplomatic and Consular) |
Diplomatic ranks in order of seniority are ambassador/high commissioner, minister, counsellor, first secretary, second secretary, third secretary, attaché.
The consular ranks are consul-general, consul, vice-consul, attaché
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| Rapporteur |
The official of a committee or subcommittee whose job is to prepare a summary report of its discussions and conclusions |
| Rapprochement |
The establishment of improved relations between two countries |
| Ratification |
Following the negotiation of a treaty, ratification is the act by which a government formally commits itself to adhere to that treaty |
| Recognition |
Commonly used in connection with the recognition by one state of the existence of another state (for example when a new state is formed), or the recognition of a government which is in effective control of a state |
