In defense of bilateral diplomacy: the Swedish embassy

Over time states acquired a role of main players in the international arena from the Treaty of Westphalia which set up a state-centred international system to the UN Charter which acknowledged the equal sovereignty of all UN members (1). States have always interacted with each others for a wide range of reasons from trade matters, to economic issues and political confrontations. A great role in this relationship between states has been played by the permanent embassies and by the bilateral diplomacy defined as the “exchange of diplomatic representation between national governments” (2).
However it can be argued that, today, bilateral diplomacy is undermined by multilateralism and globalization as the case of the European diplomatic machinery taking precedent over bilateral diplomacy between EU members shows, posing the question whether EU bilateral missions fit within the European integration (3).
Still there is who oppose this view and today, 3rd of March, it has been interesting listening to the point of view of a diplomat about the role of embassies in the contemporary situation.
A diplomat from the Swedish embassy introduced us with his embassy and presented us the contemporary debate over the role of EU bilateral embassies in an integrated European scenario. He stressed that the people working within the Swedish embassy in London have been considerably reduced since the creation of the European diplomatic machinery has been formally established, especially because many of them have now been transferred to Brussels. In fact since the multilateral European diplomacy took over bilateral diplomacy, enormous budget cuts have been implemented, leaving any room for the specialists and increasing the job for the few diplomats still working for the embassy who have to be able to deal with many and different issues in a general way. Eventually this poses the question whether diplomats with a general, but not specialized, knowledge of the issues can operate in an efficient way as the specialists can do.
Then he argued that, although many people, some of his colleagues as well, question the role of permanent embassies in EU countries, bilateral diplomacy between EU members is a matter of understanding and clarification of European concerns between them, and that now a days European matters are brought to the table, so affirming that the diplomatic service now is not in a situation of vacuum but is accommodating the changing situation. Though, sadly he has to admit that some European embassies are closing down in some European capitals such as the Swedish in Dublin and Luxembourg.
On the second part of the meeting it has been interesting seeing how the Swedish diplomat dealt with our questions about the nature of embassies and the challenges they have to face.
He has been asked about the secret diplomacy that bilateralism encourages and he replayed that, although many countries are deeply involved within it, that is not the case of Sweden which carries a diplomacy as much open as it can.
Another question he has been asked was about the challenges the new technologies poses on diplomacy, yet he argued that physical presence is a key point for diplomatic relations.
He also has been asked whether multilateral diplomacy opposes to the pursuit of the promotion of national interests, and he absolutely agreed with it stating that when the issue is brought to the multilateral table, the outcome never reflects the national interests since it is the result of the “consensus” of the participants.
Overall it has been interesting listening to a diplomat, well aware of the debates going on about the role of bilateralism, defending his position in this challenging environment, stressing the understanding of the culture and hot issues that permanent embassies allow. In fact, though it can be argued that Europeans share a common history, culture and environment, we are very different state from state to state and personally I see the importance of a deep knowledge and understanding among us, and permanent embassies are a good tool for that.
thanks to Rebecka, who organized the visit, and to the Swidish Embassy which welcomed us.




1. http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter1.shtml
2.Jozef Batora and Brian Hocking, “EU-Oriented Bilateralism: Evaluating the Role of Member State Embassies in the European Union”
3.Jozef Batora and Brian Hocking, “EU-Oriented Bilateralism: Evaluating the Role of Member State Embassies in the European Union”