Diplomacy and Diplomatic Correspondence

Abstract

1. What is Diplomatic Correspondence?

Diplomatic Correspondence consists of all kinds of communication that denotes the policy and/or approach of one State and its requirements or demands, as well as commitments on a certain issue that concerns international relations, and is usually addressed to another state or an international organisation.

In a somewhat broader definition, Ambassador Tahir $enturk in his book 'Courses on Diplomatic Correspondence' describes Diplomatic Correspondence as "the means by which States put their position on record, explain the details of their policies, record protest, support claims, seek collective approval and carry out other actions which make up the business of international relations."

In this respect any text prepared and dispatched on behalf of the State Authority, by the person(s) acting on behalf of this Authority, which is termed as "diplomatic" is a notable document explaining the position that State has taken on that certain issue and therefore has to be written in way so that the contents clearly reflect the policy of the dispatcher. On the other hand it is also important that the language and terminology used in such documentation is chosen so as not to irritate or insult the receiving side or any other concerned for that matter. In other words the State or Government Authority who has undertaken the responsibility of a certain communication should be careful in order to refrain from being the side to arouse or escalate tension on account of a particular issue.

In today's world and in the broad meaning of the term any statement made by a country's leader(s) on such occasions as the beginning of a New Year, a Parliamentary Session, a political rally, etc. that contain comments/ remarks regarding an international issue which naturally involves a foreign government can be regarded as a message once it is made public, and in this respect can be considered as a form of diplomatic correspondence.