We explain what a consulate is, what its functions are and how it differs from an embassy. Also, what is a diplomatic mission.
What is a consulate?
a consulate It is an institution representing the public administration of a country in foreign territory similar to embassies, whose purpose is to provide certain public services to its national citizens. Normally It is headed by a consul, a non-political public official designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist their compatriots abroad.
The terms “consul” and “consulate” come from Latin consulta verb that means “to reflect”, “to consult”, “to ask for advice” or “to judge correctly”. In Ancient Rome, the consuls They were the highest magistrates of the executive branch, whose power was subject to the discretion and advice of the Senate in certain matters of national interest. From there the name of the position arose, by popular etymology.
In subsequent centuries, however, the term “consul” was used with numerous and disparate meanings: from the head of the police chiefs to the judges of the commercial court. The current meaning of the word dates back to the 16th century, when the custom of the Italian kingdoms of Genoa, Pisa and Venice of sending emissaries (commercial judges) to defend their commercial relations in foreign nations became widespread. This is how the first consulates were born, which slowly changed their roles towards public assistance and administration.
Consuls, according to international treaties on the subject, can be of four types, from highest to lowest rank: consuls general, consuls, vice-consuls and consular agents. It is also possible to appoint an honorary consul, that is, an illustrious citizen who acts as a representative of his country in a foreign nation that he inhabits.
Consuls and their attached staff are part of a consular mission which is the term that refers to all the consulates that a nation can have in a foreign country. In these cases, one of the consulates exercises leadership over the others.
See also: Public management
Functions of a consulate
The work of the consulates is to provide their citizens with assistance in public services and bureaucratic assistance, such as:
- carry a formal registration of citizens of his country in the foreign nation.
- Issue, process and renew official documents of the State they represent, such as passports, identity cards, marriage, birth and death certificates, among others.
- Allow its citizens to exercise the right to vote from your country of residence abroad.
- Ensure the rights of national citizens deprived of liberty in the foreign country and observe the proper administration of justice in their cases.
- Provide to foreign citizens visa assistance and information and residence, work or tourism permits.
- Offer cultural, educational, tourist and bureaucratic information about their country of origin to foreigners.
- Assist national citizens in cases of emergency, war or catastrophe.
Differences between consulates and embassies
Both consulates and embassies are diplomatic entities of a country on foreign soil. However, consulates are dedicated to matters of public administration, while Embassies have a political character, representation and defense of national interests.
Therefore, an embassy (usually run by an ambassador) is a permanent diplomatic mission on foreign soil, acting as a delegation of its country's government. So much so that by international convention the land of the chancelleries of each country is considered part of its territory, and is subject to the same international laws that govern borders.
In this sense, it is common that in cases of diplomatic tension between two nations, one of them calls the ambassador for consultations or, if the situation is more serious, removes him from the foreign country as a sign of discontent. But in these cases the consular mission will continue to operate, in order to look after its citizens residing abroad. Only in extremely serious cases is the entire diplomatic mission of the other country withdrawn.
On the other hand, although there may be several consulates of one country in the territory of another depending on the territory to be covered and the number of citizens to serve, The normal thing is that there is only one embassy located in the capital city.
What are diplomatic missions?
The term “diplomatic mission” refers to all the people and officials of a State who formally and permanently operate on foreign soil, to fulfill diplomatic functions. In this sense, both embassies and consulates and the rest of the diplomatic personnel who perform functions abroad are part of a diplomatic mission.
diplomatic missions are protected by international laws and various diplomatic conventions and are usually disconnected from local laws, since they are part of a foreign State within the host country.
Continue with: Nationality
References
- “Diplomatic mission” in Wikipedia.
- “Radication of the word Consulate” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “What is the difference between an embassy and a consulate?” in El Mundo (Spain).
- “Do you know what your embassy or consulate CAN do for you?” in the Government of Mexico.
