Services and structure

The Protocol manages the privileges and immunities of the international diplomatic community in Belgium, the official visits of prominent foreign dignitaries, the Egmont Palace and its conference centre, and the nobility titles and honorary distinctions.

The Protocol Directorate consists of a Coordination and General Management unit (P0.0), which is responsible for a number of administrative and logistical matters, and four directorates (P1, P2, P3 and P4):

• Directorate P1, "Privileges and immunities", is responsible for the good conduct of the official relations between the foreign diplomatic missions in Belgium on the one hand and the Belgian State on the other hand, ensuring the correct application of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and the Consular Relations (1963), as well as the 'headquarters agreements' concluded between Belgium and the international organisations established in Belgium or having a liaison office in Belgium.
   
• Directorate P2, "Management of events and the Egmont Palace", manages the Egmont Palace and the events organized within its conference center and its diplomatic salons. It is responsible for facility management, encompassing logistics and maintenance, as well as for the planning and coordination of events, including conferences, meetings, bilateral engagements, political consultations, luncheons, dinners, and official receptions.
   
• Directorate P3, "Nobility and Honorary Distinctions”, plays a role in the procedure of granting and recognising nobility titles and honorary distinctions in the National Orders.
   
• Directorate P4, "Visists and ceremonies”, manages states visits, officials visits and working visits. In this context, it also oversees access to the VIP lounge, exemption of duties screening, airport badges and CD parking. Additionally, it manages official ceremonies in Belgium, such as National Day celebration and commemorative events.