Ensuring the immunities and privileges in the context of COVID-19
Facing the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, Viet Nam’s Directorate of State Protocol (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has worked closely with relevant agencies to ensure safety as well as immunities and privileges of Diplomatic Corp.
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| Ambassadors of New Zealand, Argentina, Pakistan and Romania present of credentials to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 16, 2021. (Source: VNA) |
One of the main responsibilities of Viet Nam’s Directorate of State Protocol is the management of privileges and immunities of foreign diplomatic missions and personnel in accordance with the Vienna Convention and Viet Nam’s regulations.
The COVID-19 outbreak has posed unprecedented challenges to the implementation of diplomatic privileges and immunities, as well as other functions in support the Diplomatic Corps.
According to Viet Nam’s Directorate of State Protocol, many ceremonial privileges reserved for Heads of Mission (HOMs) could not be fully implemented due to the COVID-19 restrictions, such as formal greetings at the airport, presentation of credentials, as well as courtesy and farewell calls.
A number of creative and flexible measures have been adopted to make the best out of this difficult situation. For example, despite not being able to show up at the airport, protocol officers have been committed to ensuring a smooth and secure arrival or departure for HOMs by working closely with relevant agencies.
Understanding the high degree of importance with regards to the presentation of credentials by HOMs, Viet Nam’s Directorate of State Protocol put in extra effort to ensure its resumption in 2021, at a rate of once every quarter, while also proposing a plan for virtual presentation procedures for non-resident Ambassadors.
With regards to courtesy calls, it is difficult to meet all meeting requests from HOMs due to the pandemic restrictions. However, Vietnamese leaders have maintained regular courtesy calls with HOMs after their presentation of credentials and before completion of their postings in the country.
Despite being under a lot of pressure due to the increased workload of COVID-19 related issues, while handicapped by a restriction of person-to-person exchanges and a cap limit on working staff, the Directorate of State Protocol always closely monitors the pandemic situation and recommends suitable solutions for the safety and activities of the Diplomatic Corps.
As for events hosted by foreign diplomatic missions, the Directorate has made great efforts to facilitate and support the Diplomatic Corps through advising on suitable ceremonial arrangements.
In order to ensure the attendance of the Diplomatic Corps at important events hosted by Vietnamese leaders, the Directorate of State Protocol was proactive in developing plans corresponding to different levels of pandemic severity, arranging COVID-19 testing and other procedures in compliance with Viet Nam's regulations.
Therefore, members of the Diplomatic Corps were able to attend high-profile events such as the opening ceremonies of the 13th National Party Congress, as well as the 1st and 2nd Session of 15th National Assembly, among others.
Regarding the implementation of administrative procedures, the State Protocol Department always ensures that the application processing time is five working days as before the pandemic. In particular, COVID-19 related issues are processed even faster due to their urgent nature.
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| COVID-19 vaccination for members of the Diplomatic Corps. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
COVID-19 led to a wide array of new issues requiring support and coordination between the Directorate of State Protocol and the Diplomatic Corps, including quarantine issues.
The Directorate has coordinated with health agencies, local foreign affairs departments, customs at airports, border gates... to promptly inform and ensure smooth and safe operation of entry and isolation regulations for the Diplomatic Corps.
The Diplomatic Corps work and daily lives were heavily impacted during the lockdown time in Ha Noi. A number of foreign diplomats and family members were unable to return to the capital. Throughout this time, the Directorate of State Protocol was in close contact with the Diplomatic Corps to resolve arising issues and made sure effective implementation of prevention measures for the Diplomatic Corps in compliance with diplomatic privileges and immunities.
As for the vaccination efforts, the Directorate of State Protocol has been worked with relevant agencies to launch a vaccination program for the Diplomatic Corps in Ha Noi and other cities.
Understanding the hardships faced by the Diplomatic Corps during the pandemic, the Directorate of State Protocol has given priority to dealing with any issues encountered by the Diplomatic Corps and continually coordinated with relevant agencies to find the best possible solutions.
In the coming time, the Directorate of State Protocol will continue to cooperate and support the Diplomatic Corps on regular matters as well as COVID-19 related issues.
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