VIRTUAL DIPLOMATIC MISSION: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The scientific article analyses the current global trends of digital transformation in the field of diplomatic and consular relations, especially regarding the creation of a virtual diplomatic mission. The name of this institution differs in different countries, so the author decided to use an appropriate in his opinion generalizing term – virtual diplomatic mission. The main cases in which countries decide to implement their diplomatic presence in this form, based on the world practice of establishing virtual diplomatic missions, were identified. The peculiarities of the functioning of the institute of virtual diplomatic missions of the United States of America (for example, in Iran, San Marino, the Republic of Seychelles, the Republic of Maldives, etc.) are clarified. The difference between the US Virtual Embassy in Iran and other Virtual Embassies and virtual offices (Virtual Presence Post) is determined. The advanced Singaporean experience in the researched question is analyzed as such, which most fully corresponds to domestic innovations. In many foreign countries Singapore has established offices with the residence of the mission in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Such format of representation operates in Ukraine too. The article considers the position of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Ukrainian scientists on the prospects for the introduction such institutions in Ukraine The Law of Ukraine “On Diplomatic Service” adopted on June 7, 2018 provided for a new type of foreign diplomatic mission – the Embassy of Ukraine with the residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in Kyiv. However, the analysis of the current legislation of Ukraine gives grounds to believe that the legal support of the institution of "virtual diplomatic missions" in Ukraine is currently insufficient and does not provide a real mechanism for implementing this innovation. Proof of this is the lack of such institutions among foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine. Therefore, the author draws attention to the urgent need for legislative settlement of issues involved in the establishment and operation of the Embassies of Ukraine with the residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in Kyiv.