Mission and structure of the Protocol

Mission of the Protocol

The Protocol Directorate, led by the Director of Protocol, provides guidance for the good conduct of the official relations between the foreign diplomatic representations established in Belgium on the one hand and the Belgian State on the other. It also directly manages a number of matters relating to  the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and  Consular Relations (1963), as well as the 'headquarters agreements' concluded between Belgium and the international organisations which are established or have a representative office in Belgium.

These matters include issues relating to diplomatic privileges and immunities on the one hand, and strictly protocol affairs in general on the other.

The Protocol is also responsible for receiving foreign dignitaries and is an important facilitator in the process of the supervision of their safety and the (external) security of the foreign missions. Moreover, it plays a role in the procedure of granting and recognising nobility titles and honorary distinctions in the National Orders and is responsible for organising international conferences and managing the infrastructure of the Egmont Palace and the CCEgmont Conference Centre.

 
Structure

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.