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diplomatic functions

Far and away the most important function of the head and staff of a diplomatic mission is to act as a permanent channel of communication between the sending state and the receiving state, as it is only through such official human agencies that notional entities such as states can speak to each other. Sometimes such communication will take the very specific form of negotiation; but usually it will be a matter of conveying and receiving statements of opinion and formal messages. Any such function is often referred to as that of representation.

Additionally, a diplomatic mission has the task of reporting to its state on conditions and developments in the receiving state (though, in theory, information may only be obtained by â€˜lawful meansâ€™); and promoting and protecting the interests of the sending state and its nationals in the receiving state.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states that one function of a diplomatic mission is to promote â€˜friendly relationsâ€™ between the sending and the receiving state. At one level this is so, in the sense that a sending state always hopes that its representations will be accepted and appreciated. But the statement obscures the fact that in political terms a diplomatic mission is above all else in the business of advancing and defending its state\'s interests â€“ which may sometimes necessitate an unfriendly or even a hostile stance towards the receiving state. In sum, this aspect of the Vienna Convention is more an expression of political correctitude than of reality.

See also espionage; permanent mission; special mission.

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