The Role of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice
By H. E. Ms. Luz del Carmen Ibanez, Judge of the ICC
The pursuit of global stability, justice, and the strengthening of the rule of law is a central focus of international diplomacy. Yet, in an era of persistent global conflict and widespread human rights violations, can international legal institutions truly serve as guardians of justice and peace?
The complexities of modern conflicts raise important questions about the capacity of international courts to effectively address the root causes of violence and impunity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stand at the forefront of this mission, acting as pivotal actors in the effort to uphold human rights, ensure accountability, and foster peace in regions fraught with instability.
Both, through their distinct but complementary mandates, can collaboratively reinforce the rule of law on a global scale. How do these courts shape international norms, and what challenges must they overcome to remain relevant and effective in an increasingly polarized world?. These questions lay the foundation for understanding how international justice mechanisms can address contemporary conflicts and promote a more stable and just world order.
The role of international courts in addressing armed conflicts has evolved significantly, reflecting the growing recognition that justice and accountability are indispensable for sustainable peace. The ICC and ICJ, as integral components of the international legal order, have progressively adapted their functions to confront complex crises, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and that the rule of law is reinforced globally.
The ICC and ICJ emerged from distinct historical backgrounds, yet they share a fundamental commitment to international peace and justice through legal mechanisms. Established by the Rome Statute in 1998, the ICC was designed to address the impunity of individuals responsible for the most egregious crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The creation of the ICC marked a turning point in international criminal justice, as it signalled the international community’s resolve to prosecute individuals who threaten global security and violate human rights. By focusing on individual accountability, the ICC seeks not only to bring justice to victims but also to deter future violations and contribute to post-conflict reconciliation.
In contrast, the ICJ, established in 1945 as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, operates primarily at the state level, adjudicating disputes between nations and issuing advisory opinions on pressing legal questions. The ICJ’s role in shaping international legal norms has been instrumental in resolving inter-state conflicts and clarifying the legal obligations of states under international law. By addressing state responsibility rather than individual criminal accountability, the ICJ plays a role in fostering diplomatic solutions and reinforcing the principles of international law.
The engagement of both courts in scenarios of armed conflicts exemplifies their complementary approaches. The ICC intervenes by prosecuting individuals directly responsible for war crimes and atrocities committed in the territories of the states members to Rome Statue and by referral of UN Security Council in other territories. Through investigations and trials the ICC provides a legal avenue for victims to seek redress and reparations and for perpetrators to face justice, breaking the cycle of impunity that often perpetuates violence. Meanwhile, the ICJ addresses conflicts from a structural perspective, adjudicating interstates disputes that underpin broader tensions and offering legal clarity on state actions. At same time the court’s advisory opinions underscore it’s ability to expand the protection of the law to novel and complex world concerns and humanity’s emerging crucial issues reinforcing values and international legal standards.
The complementary nature of the ICC and ICJ is crucial for addressing the multifaceted dimensions of armed conflicts. While the ICC focuses on the prosecution of individuals, the ICJ’s emphasis on state responsibility ensures that justice operates on both micro and macro levels. This dual-track approach not only strengthens the accountability framework but also reinforces the preventive function of international justice. The ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants and the ICJ’s binding rulings create legal precedents that deter future violations and promote adherence to international norms. Moreover, the contributions of both courts to post-conflict reconstruction are vital in fostering reconciliation and building resilient societies.
The ICC and the ICJ are fundamental pillars of the Rule of Law. Their permanent dialogue nurtures world peace, global security and the wellbeing of humanity.
29 April 2026, Embassy of the French Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany: Katja Meier who served as Saxony’s State Minister of Justice, Democracy, European Affairs and Gender Equality between 20 December 2019 and 19 December 2024 was honoured with the Légion d’honneur.
Meier was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron for her role as Saxony’s Minister for European Affairs, in which she ensured that the Free State of Saxony established a regional partnership with Occitania. Saxony was the last German federal state that did not yet hold such a relationship with a French region. “This outstanding recognition acknowledges her remarkable commitment to Franco-German cooperation, especially at the local level – precisely where it directly affects citizens,” said French Ambassador François Delattre during the accolade’s bestowal.
On her side, Katja Meier, remarked that “European politics are team work”. In his heartfelt address, French Ambassador François Delattre praised the numerous ideas and initiatives of recent years, the highlight of which was undoubtedly the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Dresden in May 2024.
Having already become the first woman to serve as Minister of Justice in Saxony, Katja Meier is now also the first Saxon to receive the French knighthood. After leaving her ministerial post in the latest cabinet reshuffle in Saxony, Meier, rejoined the Saxon State Assembly as a parliamentarian. She is married to Josefine Paul, former Minister of Family Affairs of North-Rhine Westphalia.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany: Speaker of the State Assembly of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Birgit Hesse, welcomed high-ranking guests from the Baltic region to Schwerin Castle – former residence of the dukes and finally grand dukes of Mecklenburg (Schwerin) and now headquarters of the State Assembly. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, H.E. Veronika Wand-Danielsson, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, H.E. Giedrius Puodžiūnas, were guests of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Assembly and held in-depth discussions with its Speaker.
Following a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Schwerin Castle and the historic rooms of the Castle Museum, the guests were received in the Speaker’s Office. The focus of the visit was the exchange of views on current political issues at the European level.
The participants praised the existing diplomatic and economic relations between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the Baltic states and emphasized the particular value of these connections in a rapidly changing political world. The upcoming state elections were also discussed. The official visit concluded with the guests signing the State Assembly’s guest book.
Visit of the Schwerin Castle Museum – Picture by Landtag MV.
Background
The visit took place ahead of the Baltic Sea Business Day on 16 April 2026 – a high-level meeting of Baltic Sea countries dedicated to strengthening and expanding cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Entrepreneurs from numerous Baltic Sea countries will contribute their expertise on topics such as climate-neutral business practices, security, and a CO2-free Baltic Sea.
The Hague, 14 April 2026. The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in the Netherlands, in conjunction with Business Match Kosovo, successfully hosted the Kosovo Business Day 2026. Kosovo is firmly establishing itself as a dynamic near-shoring destination, supported by one of Europe’s youngest and most tech-savvy workforces.
The Business Day forum provided a critical platform for Dutch businesses eager to expand their operations. Attendees engaged in high-level matchmaking, practical workshops on the NL-KS Tax Treaty, and gained invaluable insights into investment subsidies and risk-mitigation tools essential for international ventures. Over 100 ambitious Kosovar and Dutch entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from both nations’ institutions gathered to explore tangible trade and partnership opportunities.
Additionally, the event also attracted members of the diplomatic community and small to medium-sized enterprises actively operating in Kosovo and the Netherlands.
Mr. Shpend Lila of the Innovation Centre Kosovo, H.E. Dr. Karin Boven, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kosovo, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Innovation of the Republic of Kosovo and H.E. Dr. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Netherlands.
The forum opened with impactful remarks from Ms. Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Innovation of the Republic of Kosovo. This was followed by an insightful discussion moderated by Mr. Shpend Lila of the Innovation Centre Kosovo, featuring both ambassadors: H.E. Dr. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Netherlands, and H.E. Dr. Karin Boven, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kosovo. Her powerful address set a clear tone for a day focused on enhancing economic cooperation and building sustainable partnerships between Kosovo and the Netherlands.
H.E. Dr. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Netherlands / Kosovo Business DayKreshnik Thaqi, Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency.
The keynote session, “How to Invest and Do Business in Kosovo,” was delivered by Mr. Kreshnik Thaqi, representing the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency. He presented a compelling overview of the country’s investment landscape, highlighting strategic sectors such as public procurement, major infrastructure projects, railway modernization, and renewable energy, while outlining concrete pathways for international investors to seize opportunities in Kosovo.
Mr. Shpend Lila of the Innovation Centre Kosovo.
The business forum confidently advanced to the core of its agenda, featuring three essential panel discussions that tackled key sectors of mutual interest.
Mr. Mark Verheul, Director of the Global Alliance of Horticulture Regions Establishment.
Panel I made an strong statement about Agriculture, Retail, and Recycling. Keynote presentations were delivered by Ms. Kalina Vrieze, Business Developer for Türkiye, Southeast Europe, and Central Asia at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and Mr. Mark Verheul, Director of the Global Alliance of Horticulture Regions Establishment.
Additionally, impactful talks were presented by Mr. Valon Bahtiri, CEO and Founder of Mitrofresh B.V., and Mr. Theo Schilder, Director of Business Development at KIVO Plastic Verpakkingen.
Ms. Kalina Vrieze, Business Developer at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Kosovo Business Day
Subsequent to the lunch, Panel II took centre stage, focusing on ICT, Tech-Digital Talent, and the dynamic outsourcing opportunities within Kosovo’s rapidly growing tech sector. The session highlighted the critical importance of cybersecurity in the modern economy.
The panel kicked off with a compelling keynote by Mr. Martijn van Helvert, Chairman of MKB Limburg and Owner of Meines Holla & Partners. Following this, influential insights were provided by Mr. Jelle Hoes, CCO of Buckaroo; Ms. Hana Qerimi, CEO of Starlabs & Digital School; Mr. Shpend Lila, Training, Events & PR Manager at the Innovation Centre Kosovo; Mr. Robert Shala, Board Member at Sentry Cyber Security; and Mr. Lennart Koetsier, CEO of Multiply and Datafuse.
Kosovo Business Day
In a significant development, an endorsement ceremony was conducted where various stakeholders signed a Memorandum of Understanding, firmly establishing the Kosovo-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce. This landmark decision paves the way for deeper and more fruitful business cooperation.
The forum concluded powerfully with Panel III, moderated by Mr. Artan Djemajli, which addressed the Prefabricated and Construction Industry in Kosovo. This impactful panel included Mr. Diedon Kica, Chief Commercial Officer of Instabuilt; Ms. Sytrime Dervisholli, Executive Director of Kllasteri Prefab Kosova; and Mr. Erlind Gashi, an architect at EUROING Kosovo.
The discussions emphasized critical themes of innovation, sustainability, and significant opportunities for international collaboration within the construction sector.
The Kosovo Business Day provided crucial networking opportunities and facilitated productive B2B engagements, reinforcing existing connections and paving the way for new partnerships.
It articulated a clear and assertive message: cooperation between Kosovo and the Netherlands has transcended potential and has emerged as a dynamic and tangible reality.
Through strategic dialogue and purposeful networking, Kosovo Business Day 2026 has fortified business relationships, showcased impressive investment opportunities, and demonstrated Kosovo’s position as a competitive and progressive market.
Contributions from all speakers, panelists, partners, and participants were instrumental to the success of this event. Their expertise, engagement, and positive energy were vital in fostering meaningful dialogue and solidifying lasting connections between Kosovo and the Netherlands.
Farewell Interview with H.E. Ambassador Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations based in The Hague
As Ambassador Salima Abdelhak concludes her mandate in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, she looks back on a rich diplomatic journey marked by strengthened bilateral relations, active multilateral engagement, and sustained efforts to consolidate Algeria’s standing as a credible, trusted, and forward-looking partner. In this farewell conversation, she reflects on the highlights of her tenure, the partnerships built, and the lasting ties she will carry forward.
Diplomat Magazine: Excellency, as you conclude your tenure in the Netherlands, could you share the personal and professional reflections that mark this moment?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: I leave The Netherlands with a profound sense of gratitude and fulfilment. It is never easy to conclude such an intense and meaningful chapter of one’s professional and personal life.
Ambassador Abdelhak
Entrusted with the confidence of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, I have over these years had the privilege not only to represent Algeria in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but also to engage closely with the eminent international organizations based in this unique city of peace and justice.
DM: When you first assumed your post, what were the key priorities you set for strengthening Algeria–Netherlands relations? In your view, which strategic objective has been at the heart of your diplomatic engagement?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: Beyond the traditional responsibilities of diplomacy, my objective was not merely to preserve the excellent relations existing between Algeria and the Netherlands within their formal diplomatic framework, but to elevate them into a more concrete, dynamic, and confidence-based partnership.
This required making Algeria better known, better understood, and more visible in the Netherlands.
Too often, bilateral relations can remain below their true potential simply because partners do not fully perceive the opportunities that exist. I therefore considered it essential not only to promote Algeria’s assets, but also to build trust — trust in Algeria as a stable interlocutor, trust in its economic potential, trust in its reform trajectory, and trust in its willingness to engage in pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation.
This required sustained dialogue, patient explanation, and regular interaction with Dutch institutions, business circles, and sectoral partners. My ambition was to help move the relationship from general goodwill to concrete confidence.
H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Yemen and the Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak.
DM: Could you elaborate on how these priorities were implemented on a practical level?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: I worked actively to create structured encounters between Algerian and Dutch stakeholders so that cooperation could rest on direct knowledge rather than assumptions.
In this regard, I could facilitate strategic economic missions in both directions, notably with the Netherlands-African Business Council and the Netherlands MENA Business Council. We encouraged sectoral cooperation in agriculture, investment, tourism, renewable energy, water management, education, governance, and archives.
But more importantly, each of these initiatives served a broader diplomatic purpose, to present Algeria as a serious, reliable, and opportunity-rich partner with whom long-term cooperation makes sense.
I believe that, progressively, we succeeded in creating a climate of greater familiarity and confidence, which is the indispensable foundation for sustainable partnerships.
H.E. Mr. Vusi Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa, Dean of the African Group.African Ambassadors at H.E. Salima Abdelhak’s farewell.
DM: To what extent did your work aim to reshape or deepen the understanding of Algeria in the Netherlands—whether in diplomatic, economic, or cultural terms?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: Very much so. Advocacy in diplomacy is not merely about presenting one’s country in positive terms; it is about ensuring that interlocutors gain a nuanced and realistic understanding of its transformations, ambitions, and capacities.
I devoted considerable effort to ensuring that Dutch partners saw Algeria not only through traditional lenses, but as a country engaged in modernization, regional responsibility, economic diversification, and international cooperation.
Creating this trust-based narrative was, in my view, one of the most important aspects of my mission. Once confidence is established, cooperation follows much more naturally.
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak with the Ambassadors Arab Group.
DM: Cultural diplomacy also seems to have been an important dimension of your work.
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: Absolutely. Cultural diplomacy is one of the most effective ways to humanize bilateral relations. Through festivals, artistic initiatives, fashion projects, and public diplomacy events across the Netherlands, we sought to bring Algeria closer to Dutch society and to create familiarity beyond official circles.
This softer dimension of diplomacy is crucial because it nourishes sympathy, curiosity, and openness, all of which reinforce institutional trust.
Ambassador Abdelhak and Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher.
DM: The Hague is also a major multilateral capital. How has this shaped your mission?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: The multilateral dimension has been one of the most intellectually stimulating aspects of this posting. The Hague hosts some of the most influential legal, judicial, and security institutions in the world, and Algeria has always attached great importance to principled engagement with them.
Throughout my mandate, I sought to reflect Algeria’s steadfast commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and effective multilateralism.
I worked closely with the various organizations based in The Hague on issues relating to security, notably within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, where Algeria remains an active partner contributing to international peace and security and to the universal goal of a world free of chemical weapons, a commitment that earned recognition through the distinction awarded to one of its laboratories by OPCW and the City of the Hague. I’ve also worked on sustainable development matters within the Comon Fund for commodities based in Amsterdam.
The Mayor of Wassenaar, Mr. Leendert de Lange and the Ambassador of Algeria.
I was also proud to highlight Algeria’s active support for international legality through its participation in different legal and advisory proceedings, notably those touching upon matters of major international concern, including the state of Palestine.
This engagement reflects Algeria’s conviction that multilateral institutions remain indispensable in an increasingly complex international environment. I also engaged on matters of justice and legal cooperation with the International Court of Justice and the HCCH – The Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (CPA).
The Ambassador of Cameroon, H. E. Ms Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua, Ambassador Sheik Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of CFC and Ambassador Abdelhak.
DM: Finally, what message would you like to leave to your colleagues, partners, and the wider diplomatic community in The Hague?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: I am deeply thankful to the Dutch authorities, institutions, businesses, cultural actors, and friends who placed their confidence in dialogue with Algeria and who engaged openly with us and for the lessons drawn how to turn challenges into opportunities.
I am equally grateful to the leadership of the international organizations and colleagues of the diplomatic corps for the constructive spirit, collegiality, and friendship that have accompanied this mission.
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General OPCW and H.E. Mr. Philippe Gauthier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice.
I also wish to express a special word of appreciation to Diplomat Magazine, which has accompanied me since the very beginning of my mandate with remarkable professionalism, constant interest, and generous visibility. Through its quality reporting and sustained engagement with the diplomatic community, the magazine has served as a valuable platform for dialogue, outreach, and mutual understanding. I am sincerely grateful for this faithful companionship throughout my years in The Hague.
I leave convinced that we have not merely organized activities or meetings; we have contributed to strengthening an atmosphere of trust and to anchoring Algeria more firmly as a credible and reliable partner in this country.
This is perhaps the most meaningful legacy a diplomatic mission can hope to leave behind.
Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt-den Beer Poortugael Mistress of the Robes•Dutch Royal Household, Ambassador Abdelhak and the Director of Protocol at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Gabriella Sancisi.
DM: One final word, Excellency?
Ambassador Salima Abdelhak: Diplomatic mandates come to an end, but trust, once built sincerely, continues to bear fruit.
As I return to Algeria, I do so with pride in the bridges I have consolidated, with gratitude for the friendships forged, and with the firm intention of continuing to advocate for deeper cooperation between Algeria, the Netherlands, and the international institutions based in The Hague.
My Gratitude goes to the many Excellencies, colleagues, partners, and friends with whom I have shared this journey. Whether we worked together for several years or crossed paths only recently, each encounter has contributed to making this mission deeply enriching. Diplomacy is built not only on institutions and negotiations, but also on trust, continuity, and human connection.
Photographs taken on the occasion of the Ambassador’s farewell audience with King Willem-Alexander and during Ambassador Abdelhak farewell at the Algerian residence.
Montenegro’s Minister of Justice, H.E. Bojan Božović, paid an assertive visit to The Hague from 21 to 23 April 2026, reaffirming Montenegro’s clear and steady trajectory toward EU membership. Discussions centred on judicial reform, highlighting concrete results already achieved and continued progress in the rule of law chapters, which remain key pillars in the accession process.
Montenegro’s Minister of Justice, H.E. Bojan Božović with Judge Tomoko Akane.
During his visit, Minister Božović held a bilateral meeting with David van Weel, Minister of Justice of the Netherlands, reaffirming the strong and constructive partnership between the two countries. He also met with Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court, underscoring Montenegro’s firm and principled commitment to international justice and accountability.
Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice and H.E. Bojan Božović, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Montenegro.
Further high level engagements included meetings with Michael Schmid, President of Eurojust; Nazhat Khan, Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court; Kevin Hughes, Deputy Prosecutor of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice and Osvaldo Zavala Giler, Registrar of the International Criminal Court. Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, Executive Director of the Trust Fund for Victims at the International Criminal Court.
The Minister of Justice of Montenegro with Nazhat Khan, Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
The visit highlighted tangible reform progress and Montenegro’s strong readiness to continue deepening cooperation with international partners, as it advances confidently through the final phase of its EU accession process.
A career diplomat is a professional government officer serving in a state’s foreign service. An honorary consul is a private citizen authorized to perform limited consular functions for a sending state in a receiving state. Both roles are part of international relations, but they are not interchangeable.
The distinction matters because confusion between the two can lead to serious misunderstandings about authority, immunity, documents, and appointment processes. A careful comparison shows that both roles derive authority from governments, but they operate under different legal frameworks and with different limits.
Career diplomat: a government profession
A career diplomat is employed by the sending state’s foreign ministry or equivalent government department. Career diplomats usually enter through a formal public-service process, receive training, and serve across different posts and ranks. Their assignments are made by the sending government.
Career diplomats are governed principally by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. When properly accredited and recognized by the receiving state, diplomatic agents receive broad protections designed to allow the diplomatic mission to function. These protections include personal inviolability and immunity from the host state’s criminal jurisdiction, subject to the structure and limits of the Convention.
Career diplomats also operate under professional restrictions. They are government employees, receive government compensation, and generally may not engage in private commercial activity for personal gain while posted.
Honorary consul: a limited consular role
An honorary consul is different. The person is usually a private citizen with strong local ties, professional standing, and some connection to the appointing state or its interests. The role is normally unpaid or minimally compensated and is honorary by nature.
Honorary consuls are governed principally by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963. Article 68 recognizes that states may employ honorary consular officers. Their functions may include assisting nationals, supporting trade and cultural relations, liaising with the appointing state’s embassy, and performing limited administrative tasks where authorized.
Their immunity is narrower than that of career diplomatic agents. In general, honorary consular officers receive protection for official acts within their authorized functions. Their private conduct remains subject to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the host state. This limited protection is one of the defining features of the role.
Side-by-side comparison
Issue
Career Diplomat
Honorary Consul
Legal framework
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
Status
Professional government officer
Private citizen with limited consular authorization
Appointment
Foreign-service appointment and accreditation
Sending-state commission plus receiving-state authorization
Host-state consent
Agrément and accreditation, depending on role
Exequatur or equivalent authorization
Immunity
Broad diplomatic immunity for accredited diplomatic agents
Generally limited to official acts
Private business
Generally prohibited during posting
Usually permitted outside official functions
Government salary
Yes
Usually no
Treaty negotiation
Only within government authority
No, unless separately and lawfully authorized
Official documents
Issued only by competent public authorities
Cannot privately issue diplomatic status or documents
How the appointment processes differ
A career diplomat is selected and posted through the sending state’s foreign-service system. For senior appointments such as ambassadors, the receiving state must usually provide prior consent. The process is state-to-state and remains confidential in many respects.
An honorary consul is considered through a different route. The sending state identifies a suitable private individual and submits the proposed appointment to the receiving state. If the receiving state consents, it grants an exequatur or equivalent authorization. Without that authorization, the person cannot lawfully act as an honorary consul in the host country.
Both processes are controlled by governments. Neither process can be compelled by a private person, purchased through a commercial arrangement, or guaranteed by an adviser.
Can private individuals become diplomats?
A private individual cannot become a career diplomat without entering the relevant government service and being posted by the government. Career diplomatic status is a public office, not a private credential.
Honorary consular roles may involve private citizens, but that does not make them privately available. A person may be considered only if a sending state chooses to nominate or commission the person and the receiving state authorizes the role. The legal source remains sovereign action, not private initiative.
This is the safest and most accurate way to describe non-career roles: they may involve private citizens, but they are not private products. Any claim that an appointment, passport, immunity, or official recognition can be obtained through a private purchase should be treated with skepticism.
Why the distinction matters
The coexistence of career diplomats and honorary consuls serves a practical purpose. Career diplomats provide the professional core of a state’s foreign representation. Honorary consuls can extend limited consular support into locations or communities where a full mission would not be proportionate.
Both roles can serve legitimate public functions. But the legitimacy of each depends on accurate legal framing, official authorization, and respect for the limits of the role.
William Blackstone Internacional provides educational and advisory support on these distinctions for clients and professional counterparties seeking to understand diplomatic protocol, public-international legal frameworks, documentation readiness, and compliance-sensitive issues. The firm does not sell, issue, obtain, arrange, or guarantee official roles, passports, credentials, privileges, immunities, visas, or governmental decisions.
The correct question is not whether one role is better than the other. The correct question is what each role legally is, what it is not, and which public authorities have the power to create and recognize it.
About the Author:
Peter Kovacs is Director of Strategy at William Blackstone Internacional, a Panama-based private consultancy focused on diplomatic protocol, public-international legal frameworks, documentation readiness, and compliance-sensitive advisory. The firm does not issue, arrange, or guarantee government documents, appointments, privileges, or outcomes.
Diplomatic and consular appointments are formal public processes. They are not private transactions, not commercial services, and not outcomes that can be purchased or guaranteed. Whether the role is a career ambassador, a diplomatic officer, or an honorary consul, the legal authority comes from governments acting under domestic law, international law, and bilateral practice.
This article explains the main stages of appointment in plain language: nomination, host-state consent, issuance of credentials, presentation or authorization, and formal registration. It also explains the most important principle: sovereign discretion. Governments decide. Private parties do not.
Step 1 – Internal identification by the sending state
Every appointment begins with the sending state, meaning the government that wishes to appoint a representative. For career diplomats, this is usually an internal foreign-ministry process. The government selects a professional officer, determines the proposed posting, and initiates the appointment through official channels.
For honorary consular appointments, the sending state may consider a private citizen with strong local ties, professional standing, cultural or language knowledge, and a reputation that reflects appropriately on the appointing state. But the key point is the same: the decision begins with the government. A private person cannot nominate themselves into public authority, and a private adviser cannot nominate a candidate on behalf of a sovereign state.
Private advisory work, where appropriate, is limited to helping a person understand the legal framework, organize factual information, identify risks, and obtain properly licensed professional advice where required. It cannot create the appointment.
Step 2 – Agrément for ambassadors
Before a proposed ambassador is formally appointed, the sending state must usually request the agrément, or prior consent, of the receiving state. Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations reflects this requirement.
The process is confidential and diplomatic in character. The sending state communicates the proposed name through official channels. The receiving state reviews the proposal and may accept or refuse. It is not required to give reasons for refusal.
This stage demonstrates the central role of host-state consent. No person has a right to be accepted as ambassador by another state. Consent cannot be demanded, pressured, purchased, or guaranteed by a private actor.
Step 3 – Exequatur for consular officers
For consular appointments, including honorary consuls, the equivalent concept is the exequatur or comparable authorization by the receiving state. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a consular officer cannot exercise official functions in the host country unless the receiving state permits it.
The sending state issues or transmits the relevant commission, and the receiving state decides whether to recognize the person for consular functions in a defined district. If the receiving state does not grant authorization, the appointment has no practical legal effect in that territory.
The receiving state may also withdraw authorization. This reinforces the limited and consent-based nature of consular authority.
Step 4 – Credentials and commissions
Once the required consent has been obtained, the sending state issues the official documents appropriate to the role.
For ambassadors, these are usually Letters of Credence. They are formal state documents addressed from the head of state of the sending country to the head of state of the receiving country. The ambassador normally presents them in a formal ceremony before fully taking up functions.
For consular officers, the equivalent is generally a consular commission or letter of appointment, together with the host state’s authorization. Honorary consuls operate within the scope of that commission and authorization. Their authority does not extend beyond the functions recognized by the relevant governments.
Step 5 – Notification and registration
After credentials are presented or authorization is granted, the receiving state’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is notified and the person is entered into the relevant diplomatic or consular list. These lists are important because they record who is officially recognized in the host country.
Legal privileges and immunities depend on proper status, notification, function, and recognition. They do not arise from a business card, a title used privately, a marketing claim, or a passport document standing alone. The receiving state’s recognition is central.
What private advisers can and cannot do
A private adviser may explain the legal architecture. An adviser may help a client understand the distinction between diplomatic and consular frameworks, identify documentation gaps, review reputational and compliance issues, and coordinate with licensed professionals where regulated work is required.
A private adviser may not sell a diplomatic appointment, obtain an exequatur, issue credentials, create immunity, arrange official recognition, or guarantee that any ministry, embassy, consulate, or foreign government will act. Any statement suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and should be treated with caution.
A conservative advisory model must therefore be built around refusal discipline. Matters involving sanctions exposure, politically exposed persons, source-of-funds concerns, document-integrity issues, bribery risk, misrepresentation, or reputational sensitivity should be screened carefully and declined where appropriate.
Government discretion is the rule
Across every stage – nomination, agrément, exequatur, issuance of credentials, notification, and registration – the decisive authority belongs to governments. This is not an administrative detail. It is the core of the system.
Governments may accept, refuse, delay, or revoke. They may change policy. They may ask for additional information. They may decline without explanation. The uncertainty is not a defect; it is an expression of sovereignty.
For this reason, responsible commentary should avoid language such as obtain, secure, fast-track, acquire, arrange, or guarantee when describing appointments or official documents. Safer and more accurate language is: understand the framework, prepare information, assess suitability, identify risks, and recognize that competent authorities decide.
A legitimate process, not a private product
Diplomatic and consular appointments remain important tools of international relations. Career diplomats provide professional state representation. Honorary consuls can support consular access, trade, culture, and community links in locations where a full mission may not be present.
The legitimacy of these roles depends on state authority, transparency, and compliance with legal limits. They should not be presented as personal mobility products, immunity tools, or commercial status opportunities.
William Blackstone Internacional provides educational and advisory support on diplomatic protocol, public-international legal frameworks, documentation readiness, and compliance-sensitive coordination. It does not sell, issue, obtain, arrange, or guarantee passports, credentials, appointments, immunities, privileges, visas, access to public officials, or governmental decisions.
Understanding the appointment process is the best protection against misunderstanding. The process is formal, structured, and legitimate – precisely because it is controlled by states, not by private actors.
About the author:
Peter Kovacs is Director of Strategy at William Blackstone Internacional, a Panama-based private consultancy focused on diplomatic protocol, public-international legal frameworks, documentation readiness, and compliance-sensitive advisory.
Thursday, 23 April 2026, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen: Swedish Ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson paid her inaugural visit to the Senate at Bremen City Hall. She was accompanied by the new Honorary Consul in Bremen, Daniel Günther, who also received his certificate of appointment on this occasion. Both were received by Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation, Kristina Vogt, representing Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte. The Ambassador also signed the city’s Golden Book.
The ambassador was visiting Bremen because Sweden is this year’s partner country of the jazzahead! jazz fair, at whose opening Wand-Danielsson participated. However, there are also close economic ties between Sweden and Bremen, largely centered on Bremen’s significant economic activities in the fields of hydrogen, aerospace, and security policy. For example, there is increasingly close cooperation in the area of the hydrogen economy, moving from research activities to industrial implementation.
Ambassador Wand-Danielsson, was subsequently welcomed by Bremen Parliament Speaker Antje Grotheer, for her inaugural visit to the Parliament building. Wand-Danielsson has been in office since September 2023; from September 2014 to August 2020, she represented Sweden as Ambassador to France and Monaco.
Eintrag ins Goldene Buch: Veronika Wand-Danielsso, schwedische Botschafterin
After the traditional signing of the guestbook, the hour-long exchange turned to cultural topics. During the remainder of the conversation, Wand-Danielsson and Grotheer discussed the relationship between Sweden and Germany regarding Ukraine. They noted that solidarity with Ukraine remains a high priority in both countries.
In this context, Grotheer spoke about the close ties between the city of Bremen and its twin city, Odessa, in Ukraine. Wand-Danielsson then spoke about a turning point in Sweden’s approach to defense. She explained that open communication with the public leads to support for military action, and that joining NATO enjoys the backing of approximately 70 percent of the Swedish population. Since 2017, Sweden has reinstated conscription for both men and women.
The discussion then turned to economic issues: Germany is Sweden’s most important trading partner, Wand-Danielsson noted. She added that Sweden is generally concerned about the current economic situation and emphasized the importance of economic independence from the United States.
The Hague, 16 April 2026 – The Ambassador of Portugal in the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Clara Nunes dos Santos, in partnership with the Fondation Arpad Zsenes Vieira da Silva, represented by its President, Dr. António Gomes de Pinho, proudly hosted an exhibition at the Chancellery of Portugal to mark the 52nd anniversary of the April Revolution, the carnation revolution. This exhibition showcased an impressive selection of graphic works by one of Portugal’s foremost painters of the 20th century, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, titled “Fruits of Freedom.”
In her powerful opening remarks, Ambassador Clara Nunes dos Santos declared, For my generation, there is no question: if we had to select an artwork that embodies this extraordinary moment in our democracy, it would unequivocally be a painting by Vieira da Silva. The poster displayed here stands as the most significant representation of that remarkable day.
Dr. António Gomes de Pinho and the Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Ann Derwin. Portuguese Embassy, Anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, exhibition of graphic works Vieira da Silva.
The Ambassador further emphasized, “When considering a literary piece that encapsulates the essence of the Revolution, we would undoubtedly turn to the words of another great Portuguese poet, Sophia de Mello Breyner, whose poem captures the Revolution with clarity: ‘This is the dawn that I awaited, the initial, whole, and clean day, where we emerge from the night and from the silence, And free we inhabit the substance of time.’
Just yesterday, while preparing for the exhibition, I discovered that it was Sophia, a member of Parliament, who asked Vieira da Silva to create a work celebrating the first anniversary of the democratic revolution.
This coincidence struck me profoundly, and it is essential that we take a moment, especially in these challenging times, to reflect on the critical importance of liberty and democracy.
I want to thank each of you for being here today, and I hope you will appreciate this remarkable showcase of a truly great Portuguese artist. When you visit Lisbon—note that I say “when,” not “if”—make sure to take the time to visit the outstanding foundation named after Vieira da Silva and her husband, Arpad Szenes, who hailed from Hungary.
It is my distinct honor to introduce Dr. António Gomes de Pinho, the President of the Arpad Szenes Vieira da Silva Foundation, who will share more about the foundation. Following his insight, Mrs. Sandra Brás Santos, the museum curator and a recognized expert, will provide further details about the remarkable artworks featured in this exhibition.
We have assembled a selection of 13 graphic works by one of the foremost Portuguese painters of the 20th century, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, under the title “Fruits of Freedom.”
Enjoy the drinks and savory Portuguese snacks, including the exceptional bolinhos de bacalhau.
The exhibition remains open for visits on weekdays between 10.00 and 16.00 hours until 30th April 2026.
