The Role of the« Chargé d’Affaires »

Khaled Altamimi

First Secretary

The Embassy of the State of Bahrain

Introduction

• Types of Chargé d’Affaires– Appointed by the government (En-Pied)– Appointed by the head of the mission (Ad-Interim)

• The Activities of the Chargé d’Affaires (inside and outside the mission):– En-Pied– Ad-Interim

• Conclusion

The Types of Chargé d’Affaires

• There are two types of Chargé d’Affaires:– Chargé d’Affaires appointed by the government

(En-Pied):• Not reached ambassadorial level

• Enjoy the same privileges as the head of mission

– Chargé d’Affaires appointed by the Ambassador

(Ad-Interim):• Ambassadorial level

• The absence of the Ambassador

The Activities of Chargé d’Affaires (Inside and Outside of the Mission)

• En-Pied: His/her activities:

• Bilateral relations• Signing agreements• Visiting or receiving a head of mission• Visiting MFA of the host nation as head of the

mission• Reports of diplomatic and local staff• Dismissing or appointing local staff• Display national flag on the embassy car

The Activities of Chargé d’Affaires (Inside and Outside of the Mission)

• En-Pied: He/she is not authorised to:

• Use the residence of the Ambassador

• Use the title of Ambassador

• Introduce themselves as Ambassador

The Activities of Chargé d’Affaires (Inside and Outside of the Mission)

• Ad-Interim:

His/her activities:• Deal with bilateral and political issues

• Receive reports from other diplomats

• Attend meetings and other activities on behalf of

the head of the mission

• Has the right to obtain allowance from the MFA

The Activities of Chargé Affaires (Inside and Outside of the Mission)

• Ad-Interim: He/she is not authorised to:

• Dismiss or recruit any staff

• Increase or reduce the salaries of staff

• Use the Ambassador’s office

• Use the Ambassador’s personal car

• Use the national flag on his/her car

Conclusion

• Chargé d’Affaires En-Pied:– Considered as Ambassador-in-waiting– He/she lives in the host country once Ambassador

has been appointed

• Chargé d’Affaires Ad-Interim:– The appointment generally follows the rule of

seniority– The head of the mission is free to appoint any

member of the diplomatic staff as Ad-Interim