Many met in a conversation or the media such a word as "consulate." This is an organ of one state, created on the territory of another (with its consent) to perform strictly defined functions. Its location and area of activity are established by mutual agreement. The meaning of the word “consulate”, its types, as well as representatives are described in detail in the article.
Dictionary term
Before you begin to learn that this is a "consulate", you must consult the dictionary. It contains all the meanings of this term, namely:
- government agency;
- position;
- the period of rule in ancient Rome;
- historical period in France.
As follows from the above, “consulate” is a term that has several meanings. Some of them will be considered in more detail.
State representation
As mentioned earlier, a consulate is a special state body established in the territory of another state to carry out certain functions. This representation has rights, immunity, inviolability of property and certain privileges.
It can also use the emblem and flag of its state, exemption from tax burden, freedom of relations with its own government and other representations of its own state, regardless of their location. In this case, the use of any means and communication channels (including encrypted ones), consular and diplomatic couriers is permitted.
Varieties
There are several types of consulates - this is a general, ordinary, vice and agency. In all these representative offices, no global difference exists. Currently, the vast majority has a general status.
In the capital or regional centers of the institution in question, it may not exist at all, but only there is a consular department in the embassy. Similarly, such branches of Russia operate almost universally.
Such departments are not independent institutions and the highest authority in such cases will not be the consul who heads the department (general), but the ambassador. It should be noted that in such a case, broader immunities and privileges, that is, diplomatic, not consular, will apply to the employees of this department at the embassy.
Representative Office Workers
The main functions within a representative office or department are handled by a special official - the consul. He represents his country, protects the economic and legal interests of the state, as well as its citizens.
In addition to the consul general, other officials serve in the institution. For example, these are advisers and attaches. As well as vice and ordinary consuls. They can be full-time and honorary (freelance). The Vienna Convention of 1963 regulates the procedure for opening an object under study, its contents, the performance of functions by its employees, the appointment of officials, immunities, privileges and scope of benefits.
Functions
Consuls perform a number of functions, the main of which are listed below. Among them:
- protection of interests and rights of the represented country, as well as its citizens (legal entities and individuals), including the provision of assistance and assistance to them;
- various assistance aimed at the development of economic, commercial, scientific, cultural and other relations between one's own country and the host country;
- dissemination of official level information regarding the domestic and foreign policies of the represented country;
- issuing visas to citizens of another state;
- issuance of passports and documents to citizens of the country represented;
- carrying out notarial activities;
- registration and registration of acts of civil status;
- consideration of issues related to citizenship;
- legal and other assistance in various court cases;
- registration of citizens of their state located in the same country as the institution itself.
Continuing to study the definition of “consulate”, it should be noted that, as follows from the above, the importance of such representations plays a huge role for both parties.
A period in French history. Term in a different context
In history, the definition of “consulate” has a slightly different meaning. It is considered not as a representation of one state in the territory of another, but as a whole period, lasting from 1799 to 1804. It is also called the "consulate." At this time, French power was virtually completely concentrated in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte and was limited only legally.
In November 1799, Napoleon carried out a coup d'etat and became consul of the French Republic. After this post was abolished in 1804, he declared himself emperor of France. In history, this period is regarded very ambiguously, since many crimes were committed, the main of which is a coup. However, despite this, there have been significant positive changes, for example, the adoption of the constitution.
As you can see, “consulate” is a term that has different meanings. Without representative offices located in the territories of various states, relations between countries and citizens would be very difficult. And without the consul of France of 1799-1804, this republic would probably not have gone through all its metamorphoses and would not have become the country that it is currently known.