Accreditation of Ambassadors/High Commission
In accordance with Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) 1961, the Sending State must obtain the Agrément of Government if the Receiving State in respect to of the person it proposes to appoint as Ambassador or High Commissioner to the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Hereinafter, reference to the Federation implies the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Ministry refers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Requests for Agrément are made to the Ministry by a Diplomatic Note either from the Mission Accredited to the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, or from the Foreign Ministry of the Sending State. The request for Agrement may also be made through the Saint Kitts and Nevis Mission Accredited to the Sending State.
Multiple Accreditations
In accordance with Article (5) 1 of the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) the Ministry should notified by a Sending State of its intention to appoint its Head of Mission to more than one state.
Accreditation to more than one State
A head of Mission may be accredited (and members of the diplomatic staff assigned) to more than one state, provided there is no objection on the part of any of the state concerned. In the event of such an arrangement, Charge d’ Affaires ad Interim (or in certain circumstances members of the diplomatic staff of lesser standing) may be established in diplomatic missions in those capitals where the Head of mission does not have his permanent seat
Classes of Heads of Missions
Heads of Mission may be one of the three classes depending on the mutual agreement of the Government concerned:
- Ambassadors, Apostilic Nuncios and other heads of missions of equivalent rank (eg. High Commissioners exchanged between Commonwealth Countries who are accredited to Heads of States/Government
- Charge de Affaires (en titre, en pied, or titular) who are accredited to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
No differentiation may be made between Head of Missions on account of their class, except in matters of precedence and protocol and in that right access to a head of State is normally reserved to those of Ambassadorial Rank.
Titles of Heads of Mission
It is usual for an Ambassador to be styled “Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary “ (An Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary was at one time superior in status to a resident Ambassador) Similarly the head of a legation is likely to be styled “envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary)
Approval of Head of Mission by the Host State
Before the head of mission is appointed to a post, the approval of Agrement of the receiving state is sought confidentially. This approval will normally be given, but may be withheld if it is considered that the person concerned is not acceptable and in this event no reason has to be given. In practice, an official hint of unacceptability would normally be enough for a nomination to be withdrawn.
Credentials
A head of Mission is provided with credentials to prove his authenticity to the head of State to which he is accredited. These are alternatively referred to as Letters of Credence and are somewhat ornate in style.
Arrival and Departure of Heads of Mission
- Following the grant of Agrement, the Ministry will propose a date for the presentation of Credentials of the Ambassador designate /High Commissioner –designate
- The Sending State will then confirm at his earliest convenience the arrival date if the Ambassador –designate /high Commissioner- designate. In the case of a non-resident Mission the departure should also be communicated.
- The Diplomatic Mission of the presenting Ambassador –designate/High Commissioner-designate should inform the Ministry of the names and the designation of Diplomatic Officers (usually not more than two) who would accompany the Ambassador designate/High Commissioner –designate may also accompany him/her.
CEREMONY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LETTERS OF CREDENCE BY A AMBASSADOR ACCREDITED TO SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
- The Ambassador-designate shall proceed to Government House in the Official car.
- On arriving at Government House, the Ambassador-designate will be greeted by the Governor-General’s Aide- de -Camp.
- The Governor-General’s Personal Assistant will then invite Ambassador-designate to sign the Visitor’s Book at the entrance, after which the Ambassador-designate will be invited to the waiting room, if the Governor General is not present or taken to meet him if the Governor General is present.
- The Protocol Officer will introduce the Ambassador – designate to the Governor-General
- Before seating, the Ambassador-designate makes the statement (see below).
«Your Excellency / Governor-General,
Allow me to present the Letters of Credence by which H.E. the President / His /Her Majesty of …………………………. has appointed me to be the (next) Ambassador of ………………. to the (name of the country) …., as well as the Letters of Recall of my predecessor».
- On completion of his/her statement, the Ambassador-designate walks towards the Governor-General and hands over the original Letters of his/her Credentials and the Letters of Recall of his/her predecessor. The Governor-General congratulates the Ambassador–designate with a handshakeand introduces to him his delegation if necessary.
- The copies of the original Letters of his/her Credentials will be handed over to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation.
- The Governor-General will then invite the Ambassador to be seated. See diagram on page 3.
- The Governor-General and Ambassador will converse briefly.
- The Governor General usually indicates an opportunity, towards the end of the audience, to take photographs.
- The Governor-General will indicate the end of the audience by saying: “I look forward to seeing you soon Mr /Madame Ambassador”.
- The Ambassador will then take his leave and the Governor-General’s Aide- de –Camp will accompany the Ambassador to the exit and bids farewell. The Protocol Officer escorts the Ambassador to the Official Car.
Receiving Room
Seating Arrangement
North
The Ambassador will present the Letter of Credence which will read
(President/Prime Minister of (Name of Country)
To:
“His Majesty King Charles III
By the Grace of God
King of Saint Christopher and Nevis
and of His Other Realms and Territories
Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”
