THE embassy it is the official representation of a government within the territory of another nation and is configured as a foreign territory on national soil, according to scholars in some areas of knowledge. Other areas define embassies according to diplomatic inviolability, that is, the diplomatic representation found on a property must not be violated in foreign territory. Therefore, it does not refer to the physical space itself, but to what it represents. This government agency with the highest authority installed abroad aims to ensure and protect the interests of its country and each citizen. It is the first instance to mediate relations between the two States. Embassies are installed in the capitals of each country.
embassy function
The embassy is the first instance of negotiation and mediation of conflicts or interests between two nations. The functions of an embassy were stipulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, treaty signed in 1961 through the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Relations and Immunities, in Vienna, in Austria. This conference established the rights and duties of nations in order to conduct diplomatic relations between them.
The main functions of an established embassy were:
1. Represent your country abroad;
2. Within foreign territory, protect the interests of the country and the citizens it represents;
3. Mediate negotiations between the government it represents and the government of the country in which it is located;
4. Pass on information to your country of origin regarding the country in which you are located;
5. Foster friendly relations and the development of economic, cultural and scientific relations between the two nations
diplomatic mission
diplomatic mission understands the set of diplomats (officials belonging to the diplomatic service of a state) who represent a nation and its interests within a foreign territory. Currently, all diplomatic missions are equivalent to an embassy, being, therefore, equivalent terms referring to a permanent mission. This permanent mission refers to the physical permanence of the diplomatic mission, or embassy, in a given territory. The term “embassy” designates the whole of the diplomatic delegation, however, popularly, people use this term in reference to the physical facilities in which the diplomats are located.
The diplomatic mission, or embassy, is organized as follows:
→ Headed by an ambassador appointed by the head of state and accredited by the head of state of the foreign country.
→ Reporting to the ambassador are diplomats, namely: minister-counselor, advisers, secretaries and attaches. The number of diplomats can vary, with there being one ambassador and one diplomat or several diplomats, depending on the size of the embassy.
Who represents the embassy?
The embassy is represented by a ambassador, which is the representative of the country with the greatest authority in foreign territory. The official title of this position is Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary. The ambassador has privileges, immunities and full powers guaranteed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
It is the ambassador's job to negotiate and mediate relations between the two nations, having full powers to make decisions in order to protect the interests of his country, to give the government that represents information about the foreign country, as well as promoting friendly relations between countries, aiming at the development of economic, cultural and scientific.
Ambassadors at a meeting of the UN Security Council.*
Consulates
O consulate it also configures a space of authority for a country in foreign territory. It is headed by diplomats known as consuls. The main function of the consulate is to protect and assist the citizens of your country who are abroad, in addition to performing functions such as issuing visas and passports.
Unlike the ambassador, the consul does not exercise the role of political representation in the country where he is installed, acting in the interests of the citizens of the country he represents. Another function of the consul is to promote commercial relations between his country and the foreign nation. It is worth noting that a country has a single embassy within a foreign territory, but there may be several consulates.
While the consulate represents the citizen in foreign territory, the embassy represents the country. |
Embassies in Brazil
In Brazil, there are embassies and consulates in almost every country with which it has agreements and relations. Brasília, the federal capital, currently has 137 embassies. Brazil has 196 embassies and 64 consulates around the world.
american embassy in Brazil
Typically, the term “American Embassy” is used in reference to the US Embassy. The current US ambassador to Brazil is diplomat Peter Michael McKinley, appointed by former President Barack Obama. In Brazil, there are five US consulates, in the cities of Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. The United States was the first nation to have an embassy on Brazilian soil, which happened in 1808. Some of the functions of the US embassy and consulates are:
to advance US interests in political, economic, and scientific fields;
inform US citizens of the situation in Brazil;
establish commercial relations with Brazil through US companies located here;
The consular service provides vital services to Americans established in Brazil;
Election assistance to Americans who want to participate in their country's elections;
Issuance of passports and visas and emergency services.
Read too:How are presidential elections conducted in the United States?
Difference between ambassador, consul and diplomat
Ambassador: diplomatic official who heads the embassy, representing the most authoritative position. Officially, he is called Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary. The ambassador is at the forefront of his country's interests in foreign territory, with full powers to mediate relations between the two nations.
Diplomat: official belonging to the diplomatic service of a State. The diplomat represents the interests of his state, and a group of diplomats form what we call a diplomatic mission. Integrates the representatives of the embassy.
Consul: he is the head of a consulate, being responsible for representing the citizens of his country in foreign territory. It does not exercise a political representation function, acting in the interests of the citizens of its country abroad.
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*Image credit: lev radin / shutterstock
by Rafaela Sousa
Graduated in Geography
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/geografia/o-que-e-embaixada.htm