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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Diplomacy & Embassies

Protocol

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈprəʊtəkɒl/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, protocol means: The formal rules of behaviour and ceremony in diplomacy, such as order of precedence and forms of address; also an additional agreement that amends or adds to a treaty.

In Turkish: protokol, ek protokol

How it is used

In the first sense, foreign ministries have a protocol department and a 'chief of protocol' who organise visits and ceremonies. In the second sense, states sign and ratify an 'additional protocol' or 'optional protocol' to a convention.

Example sentences

  1. According to protocol, the ambassador who has been in post longest sits closest to the host.

  2. The chief of protocol met the delegation at the airport.

  3. The country has signed the optional protocol to the convention.

Common collocations

  • diplomatic protocol
  • chief of protocol
  • breach of protocol
  • additional protocol
  • optional protocol
  • conventionA formal multilateral agreement between states on a specific subject, such as human rights or the law of the sea; legally it is a type of treaty.
  • treatyA formal written agreement between states, or between states and international organisations, that is governed by international law and creates legal obligations.
  • credentialsThe formal letter from one head of state to another that introduces a new ambassador; the ambassador is fully recognised in the post after presenting it.
  • head of stateThe person who represents a state at the highest level, such as a president or monarch; this role may or may not be held by the head of government as well.
  • ambassadorThe highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another country or at an international organisation, usually as head of an embassy or permanent mission.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Diplomacy & Embassies

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