Arrival and Departure of the Head of Mission
Arrival and Departure of the Head of Mission
Agrément
In accordance with Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), an Agrément shall be sought for the person proposed to be accredited as the Head of Mission to the Republic Lithuania.
The Agrément shall be received before the person concerned officially arrives in Lithuania or his/her identity is made public.
A request for the Agrément is usually handed over to the Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – the Director of the Protocol Department) by the outgoing Ambassador or Charge d’Affaires a.i. or otherwise submitted to the Protocol Department.
The request for the Agrément shall enclose a detailed curriculum vitae of the person proposed to be accredited as the Head of Mission.
The Protocol Department will notify the sending State about Agrément as soon as such decision is made.
Arrival of Ambassador-Designate
An Ambassador-designate who is resident in Lithuania may arrive in the country at any time following notification of the agrément.
Upon receipt of the Ambassador-designate's arrival details and a request for a date for the presentation of the Letters of Credence, the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania coordinates the date of the Ceremony with the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
The Ambassador-designate is granted access to the VIP Lounge at Vilnius International Airport upon arrival.
An Ambassador-designate who is non-resident is advised to arrive in Lithuania one day prior to the Ceremony for the Presentation of the Letters of Credence. Access to the VIP Lounge is provided upon arrival. Hotel accommodation is arranged by the Embassy of the sending State.
In the event of arrival or departure by road, Ambassadors are provided with courtesy clearance at border crossing points.
Ambassadors do not assume their functions or undertake official duties in Lithuania until they have presented their Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Lithuania. However, once the Director of the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol has received copies of the Letters of Credence, the Ambassador-designate may establish working-level contacts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In accordance with Article 13 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), precedence among Ambassadors is determined by the date and time of presentation of the Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
Presentation of the Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Lithuania
Preparation of the Ceremony
The Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania coordinates the arrangements for the Ceremony for the Presentation of the Letters of Credence.
Following confirmation of the date of the Ceremony, the Embassy is kindly requested to provide the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol with the following information:
- the Ambassador's arrival and departure details, including flight information;
Note: The Protocol Department arranges VIP lounge services for the Ambassador and the accompanying delegation upon arrival and departure. Protocol officer does not attend the Ambassador’s arrival or departure. Transportation from and to the airport is arranged by the Embassy.
- the hotel at which the Ambassador will be staying (for non-resident Ambassadors);
- the names and positions of the accompanying persons who will attend the ceremony.
- the working language preferred for official conversations and audiences;
- the musical score of the national anthem for the brass band;
- curriculum vitae of the Ambassador;
- scanned copies of the Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall, submitted by e-mail to protocol@urm.lt.
On the day of the Ceremony, the Ambassador is invited to bring the original Letters of Credence and the original Letters of Recall. These documents are presented to H.E. the President of the Republic of Lithuania during the Ceremony and subsequently deposited with the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol.
Courtesy calls prior to the Ceremony
As a rule, on the day of the Ceremony, the Ambassador-Designate pays courtesy calls on senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The programme of meetings may include:
- the Vice-Minister;
- the Director of the relevant Political Department;
- the Head of the relevant Division of the Political Department;
- the Director of State and Diplomatic Protocol;
- other officials, as appropriate and by mutual agreement.
Throughout the Ambassador-Designate's official visits to the Ministry, a Protocol Officer accompanies the Ambassador and provides the necessary protocol assistance.
One representative of the Embassy may accompany the Ambassador to the meetings held at the Ministry prior to the Ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
Presentation of the Letters of Credence
Dress Code
Gentlemen
- Dark suit;
- Military uniform;
- National dress.
Ladies
- Day dress;
- Business suit;
- National dress.
Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On the day of the Ceremony, the Ambassador-Designate is received by the Director of State and Diplomatic Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.
Following the meeting, the Ambassador is accompanied to the official vehicle. The motorcade then proceeds to the Presidential Palace.
Accompanying Persons
The Ambassador may be accompanied by up to four persons, including:
- the Ambassador's spouse or partner; and/or
- members of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy.
Transportation
Transportation for accompanying persons is arranged by the Embassy.
Resident Embassies customarily use official Embassy vehicles.
Non-resident Embassies are invited to arrange suitable transportation. Upon request, the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol may assist in identifying an appropriate service provider.
Accompanying persons who do not attend the meeting at the Ministry are invited to arrive at the Presidential Palace (S. Daukanto Sq. 3) no later than ten minutes prior to the Ambassador's scheduled arrival.
Upon arrival, they are welcomed by a Protocol Officer of the Office of the President and escorted to the Palace Courtyard.
Arrival at the Presidential Palace
Upon arrival at the Presidential Palace, the Ambassador is welcomed in the Palace Courtyard, where the Guard of Honour is formed.
The Ambassador alights from the vehicle and proceeds to the red carpet.
The Ceremony commences with the command "Present Arms", given by the Commander of the Guard of Honour.
The Commander of the Guard of Honour reports to the Ambassador, who acknowledges the report with a slight nod.
The national anthem of the sending State is performed, followed by the national anthem of the Republic of Lithuania.
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
Following the performance of the national anthems, the Ambassador, accompanied by the Director of State and Diplomatic Protocol and followed by the Commander of the Guard of Honour, inspects the Guard of Honour.
While passing the national flags, the Ambassador briefly pauses and pays respect to them.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the Ambassador acknowledges the military honours rendered by the Guard of Honour before proceeding towards the entrance of the Presidential Palace.
In the event of adverse weather conditions, elements of the outdoor ceremonial programme may be adjusted as required.
Entry into the Presidential Palace
At the entrance to the Presidential Palace, the Ambassador is received by the Head of the President's Protocol.
The Ambassador and accompanying persons are then escorted to the Ambassador's Room.
Ceremony in the White Hall
The Ambassador and accompanying delegation, escorted by the Director of State and Diplomatic Protocol, proceed from the Ambassador's Room to the White Hall and take their designated places.
The Ambassador's spouse or partner and other accompanying persons stand behind the Ambassador.
The President of the Republic of Lithuania, accompanied by the Head of the President's Protocol, enters the White Hall and takes position opposite the Ambassador.
An Adviser to the President stands behind the President.
Official photographers and camera operators take their designated positions.
Presentation of the Letters of Credence
The Director of State and Diplomatic Protocol formally presents the Ambassador to the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
The Ambassador then approaches the President and presents:
- the Letters of Credence; and
- the Letters of Recall of his or her predecessor.
The President receives the Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall.
Official Photographs
Following the presentation of the Letters of Credence, an official photograph of the President and the Ambassador is taken before the national flags of the Republic of Lithuania and the sending State.
The Ambassador subsequently presents the accompanying persons to the President.
A second official photograph is then taken with the delegation.
Audience with the President
Upon completion of the Ceremony, the President invites the Ambassador to a private audience (tête-à-tête) in the Blue Hall. If any member of the Ambassador's delegation is expected to accompany the Ambassador during the audience, their name and title should be notified in advance.
During the audience, accompanying persons return to the Ambassador's Room.
End of the Ceremony. Departure
Following the audience, the Ambassador rejoins the accompanying delegation.
A Protocol Officer escorts the Ambassador and accompanying persons to the Palace Courtyard, where the motorcade awaits.
The Ambassador is escorted to the official vehicle displaying the national flag of the sending State.
A Protocol Officer accompanies the Ambassador to the designated destination, whether the Ambassador's residence, hotel, or another location agreed in advance.
Departure of the Head of Mission
As soon as the departure date of an Ambassador who has completed his or her assignment is known, the Embassy should inform the Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol by Verbal Note and request the arrangement of farewell calls.
The Department of State and Diplomatic Protocol coordinates the meetings in accordance with the Ambassador's priorities and the availability of Lithuanian officials.
No formal farewell ceremonies, receptions or official meals are normally organised on this occasion.
VIP Lounge facilities at Vilnius International Airport are provided for the Ambassador's departure. A Protocol Officer does not attend the departure.
Embassies are encouraged to request farewell calls several weeks in advance once the departure date has been confirmed.
Social media
