Importance and Role of Honorary Consuls in Exercise of Consular Functions // Značaj i uloga počasnih konzula u obavljanju konzularnih funkcija

Abstract

The article explores the role and importance of honorary consuls in the exercise of consular functions assigned to them. Their commitment to the strengthening of the inter-state cooperation in the non-political sphere and the support, protection and advice provided by the honorary consuls were emphasised as the historically grounded services rendered by this category of agents. It is, however, stressed that, although the contemporary ways of communication between different state and non-state actors happen without the use of diplomatic and consular mechanisms, the honorary consuls still find their place in the relations between the states and commercial, trade and other sorts of partners based in different states. The positive International Law, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as bilateral consular conventions, concluded between the interested parties, recognises the institutions of honorary consuls and possesses a certain set of rules that define the appointment and status of them.
The article further explores the legal nature, privileges and immunities that are accorded to the honorary consuls and highlights the sets of usual and less usual consular functions that may be assigned to them by the sending state. Some exploration of both official and symbolic functions of the existence of the use of honorary consuls has been made in the article.