In order to strengthen relations between states on the territory of foreign countries, government bodies deploy special missions - diplomatic missions. According to international law, their beginning, closure and even functioning are of particular importance for any normal interstate relations. That is why the situation with the closure of Russian diplomatic missions in the United States and Europe is such an unprecedented step, to which the Russian authorities have reacted with the same tough measures.
History reference
Diplomatic relations between different countries are as old as the states themselves. Plenipotentiaries for a long time tried to establish good economic and other types of relations in order to achieve mutual benefit. That is why it is impossible to say exactly when the first diplomatic missions appeared, since such a practice dates back to ancient Greece. However, in those days, neither the Greeks nor the Romans tried to develop a systematic approach to their creation, therefore, it cannot be said that a system was already developed at that time.
The diplomatic missions of Russia and other countries in their current state began to form only in the 13th century, when it was required to keep permanent embassies at other royal courts to resolve issues. Already in the 16th century, the rapid development of diplomatic activity was noticed. The presence of diplomatic missions has become a necessity that all states have recognized. The military-force method of solving problems began to recede into the background, since achieving the desired peacefully was much faster and safer. The gradual expansion of influence led to the emergence of the territory assigned to the diplomatic mission, in which the laws of another state acted.
Registration of modern diplomatic missions
A further impetus to the development of diplomatic missions appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century. It was during this period that the old model of diplomacy made the transition to a new one. This is due primarily to the advent of communication tools, which made communication much easier than before. Also, it was during this period that the basic postulate was created, on which any international agreements are based - conscientiousness, as well as respect for any person. Previously, such a dogma simply did not exist due to the colonial policies of the main countries that did not take into account the less developed states.
After that, all 20th-century diplomacy can be conditionally divided into 2 stages: before the advent of the UN and after it. It was in the second period that sharp changes in international diplomacy can be noticed, which proceeded to the solution of new tasks and goals. For the first time, questions like human rights, decolonization, and many others were raised. Relations between the countries improved, the era of unarmed conflict resolution has come. However, all this led to the current state of affairs in Russia - a vote for the closure of diplomatic missions in the United States.
The concept
Before delving into the current state of the diplomatic arena, one should clearly understand what scientists mean by the concept of diplomatic mission. At the moment, it is understood as a type of permanent establishment operating in another country with the aim of diplomatic relations. It is always headed by a messenger or a permanent attorney, therefore it has a slightly lower status in the hierarchy than embassies.
In the last century, diplomatic missions were opened exclusively in small countries, but now there is no special difference between them and embassies in the field of rights and privileges.
Functions
The diplomatic missions of the Russian Federation in the USA, Europe and other countries have the same functions. These include:
- representation of one’s state in the territory of another country;
- protection of Russia's interests in the host state in order to obtain mutual benefits;
- negotiation between countries;
- elucidation of the existing state of affairs in the receiving state and reporting this to the government of their country;
- promoting friendly relations between the two states.
The beginning of the diplomatic mission
So that the mission could begin to exist, the first thing is to have a special agreement between the states. After that, the head of the mission is appointed. He is the official who should represent his country in the international arena in another state on all existing issues. Its status is prevailing in comparison with other members.
In this case, the head of the mission is obliged to obtain agreman to carry out his activities - a special agreement of another state for this person to stay as head of the mission on his territory. After taking office, he must also be given a credential.
Closing diplomatic missions
There are a number of reasons why diplomatic missions may be closed. A similar practice in the past few months has become unusually common. Similar reasons are standardly included:
- termination of diplomatic relations between states with or without complete severance;
- armed conflict between countries;
- unconstitutional change of government;
- the cessation of the existence of one of the countries.
Also, the reason for the closure may be the inability of the head of the representative office to perform his functions. Such circumstances include:
- declaring a person an undesirable person;
- refusal of a diplomat to fulfill his duties;
- recalling him to his native country by order of the government.
Relations between Russia and the USA
The Skripal affair has recently greatly influenced the state of international relations. In March 2018, the authorities of the United States and other countries sent a large number of diplomats from their states, including closing not only missions, but also one of the embassies located in Seattle. Moscow decided to react to such a move aggressively enough to show its strength. That is why an open vote began to close the US diplomatic missions. In fact, the country's population was asked to choose which American consulate they would like to close - in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg or Vladivostok. In total, more than 50 thousand people took part in the voting, who overwhelmingly elected the consulate general in St. Petersburg.
However, it should be noted that in the summer of 2017, Russia already took aggressive steps towards the United States. In July, Putin approved the expulsion of 755 people because of the tougher sanctions that the country was subjected to. A similar act is currently considered one of the largest in a similar situation, second only to the complete closure of American diplomatic missions that occurred after the October Revolution.