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Catalogue of States
Recognised States and Foreign Relations
Catalogue of Recognised States
The foreign relations of the Holy Theodorican Reich rest on mutual respect for sovereignty, intercourse on equal terms, and a clear distinction between the forms of diplomatic relations. They are coordinated by the Imperial Foreign Office, while the Imperial Archives registers and preserves the relevant records under established procedure.
In order to accommodate the differing diplomatic needs of partner entities, the Empire treats the status of a diplomatic relationship separately from the form of its diplomatic representation. As to status, relations fall into two classes, “formal diplomatic relations” and “mutual recognition”. As to the form of permanent representation, an entity with which the Empire maintains formal diplomatic relations may host an “embassy” or a “consulate”, or may for the time being host no permanent mission at all.
Every state and political entity listed in this Catalogue rests on a diplomatic decision formally made by the Imperial Government, on an instrument establishing relations, on an instrument of mutual recognition, or on other official documents of equivalent effect. Anything not formally registered is not regarded as a partner entity of the Imperial Catalogue of Recognised States.
The establishment, alteration or termination of diplomatic relations requires a formal decision by the Imperial Government in accordance with the relevant diplomatic procedure. A unilateral statement, a social-media post or informal correspondence does not of itself constitute formal relations between the Empire and another state.
A foreign government or political entity wishing to establish relations with the Holy Theodorican Reich should submit an application or a statement of diplomatic intent to the Imperial Foreign Office through the foreign-affairs form listed on this page. Unless the Imperial Government provides otherwise, an informal request not accepted by the Foreign Office does not begin a formal diplomatic procedure.
Overview of Categories
Category |
Diplomatic form |
Principal basis |
Remarks |
Embassy |
Establishment of an embassy and posting of an ambassador; may assume concurrent jurisdiction over other states |
Imperial diplomatic decision and posting arrangements |
The higher form of permanent diplomatic representation; concurrent jurisdiction does not affect the independent diplomatic status of the states concerned |
Consulate |
Establishment of a consulate and posting of a consul; normally responsible only for the host state |
Imperial diplomatic decision and posting arrangements |
Applies to partner entities for which a fixed diplomatic post is warranted but a full embassy is not required |
Formal diplomatic relations |
Establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the other party |
Imperial diplomatic decision and the instruments establishing relations between the two sides |
The legal and political status of the relationship; the establishment of a mission is not a precondition |
Mutual recognition |
Recognition of each other's statehood and maintenance of friendly diplomatic contact |
Instruments of mutual recognition or formal declarations by both sides |
Permanent diplomatic missions are normally not established; contact is maintained as practical needs require |
Embassy
An “embassy” means a permanent embassy established by the Empire in a foreign state, with an ambassador posted as the permanent diplomatic representative of the Imperial Government. An embassy's principal place of work is its host state; where diplomatic resources and practical needs permit, the resident ambassador may also serve as ambassador to other states, with the embassy assuming concurrent jurisdiction over the related diplomatic business.
Concurrent jurisdiction by an embassy is an administrative arrangement within the system of diplomatic representation; it does not alter the independent diplomatic relations between the states under that jurisdiction and the Empire.
Consulate
A “consulate” means a permanent consulate established by the Empire in a foreign state, with a consul posted to handle consular, administrative, commercial, cultural and other local matters authorised by the Imperial Government in the host state.
A consulate is normally responsible only for its host state and does not in principle assume concurrent jurisdiction over other partner states. The establishment of a consulate does not alter the nature of the diplomatic relations already existing between the two sides.
Formal diplomatic relations
“Formal diplomatic relations” means the state in which the Holy Theodorican Reich and another state or political entity have, by formal decision of both sides, established formal diplomatic relations. Such relations do not require the establishment of an embassy or consulate; the Empire may, as diplomatic needs require, establish an embassy or a consulate, or have other missions abroad assume concurrent jurisdiction over the related diplomatic business.
Once formal diplomatic relations are established, the two sides may conduct intergovernmental exchanges through diplomatic representatives, the principal embassy and other formal diplomatic channels, and may exchange letters of credence, sign treaties, issue joint communiqués and hold diplomatic consultations on matters of common concern.
Formal diplomatic relations do not require the two sides to hold identical positions on all political, economic or cultural questions. What matters is that they have established formal diplomatic relations and possess a stable, continuing and formal channel for direct intergovernmental intercourse.
Day-to-day management of the Empire's relations with states with which it maintains formal diplomatic relations rests with the Foreign Office; the establishment of the principal embassy, concurrent jurisdiction and the appointment of diplomatic representatives are handled in accordance with imperial foreign policy and practical diplomatic needs. Matters involving major imperial foreign policy, or the establishment or termination of diplomatic relations, are handled in accordance with the imperial constitutional order and the system of sealed instruments.
Mutual recognition
“Mutual recognition” means that the Holy Theodorican Reich and another state or political entity formally recognise each other's statehood and maintain friendly diplomatic contact on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
Mutual recognition does not require the establishment of a principal embassy, the exchange of permanent diplomatic representatives or the creation of other standing diplomatic institutions. The two sides may maintain diplomatic contact as practical needs require, through designated channels of communication, diplomatic messages, specific meetings or other appropriate means.
Mutual recognition does not signify the Empire's endorsement of all the policies, institutions or particular positions of that state or political entity; its principal meaning is that the two sides recognise each other's statehood and capacity for independent external relations.
Should the two sides later consider it necessary to broaden their diplomatic intercourse, they may by joint decision convert mutual recognition into formal diplomatic relations; any change in the form of diplomatic relations is governed by formal diplomatic documents and the relevant procedures.
Establishment and Registration of Relations
The Empire's diplomatic relations are governed by formal documents. The Foreign Office receives statements of diplomatic intent, examines the relevant materials and coordinates the ensuing procedure; once relations are established or altered, the Imperial Archives formally registers them in the Catalogue of Recognised States and preserves the instruments establishing or altering the relations together with their dates of effect.
The classification in the Catalogue of Recognised States follows the diplomatic status currently in force between the Empire and the partner entity concerned. When relations are established, altered, terminated or otherwise substantially changed, the Imperial Government updates the Catalogue on the basis of formal documents. Diplomatic relations that existed historically but have since been terminated are not retained in the current Catalogue as subsisting relations.
Applications and enquiries concerning diplomatic relations should use the foreign-affairs form listed at the top of this page. Unless the Imperial Government provides otherwise, no private statement, third-party directory or unofficial material confirmed by the Foreign Office shall constitute a basis for the Catalogue of Recognised States of the Holy Theodorican Reich.
Note
The diplomatic classifications and related arrangements set out on this page form part of the plan for the future reorganisation of the foreign service of the Holy Theodorican Reich. The current Catalogue of Recognised States and the existing diplomatic relations have not yet been comprehensively reorganised, so the classifications, numbers and individual partner entities shown here at this stage should not be regarded as a final confirmation of the Empire's currently effective diplomatic status. Once the reorganisation of the foreign service and the Catalogue is complete, the Imperial Government will update this page on the basis of formal diplomatic documents.