12. The official holidays 2014

. 01,02 January ….New Year Day. . 07 January……...Orthodox Christmas Day. . 17 February…….Independence Day of Republic of Republic of Kosovo. . 09 April………… Orthodox and Catholic Easter Day. . 09 April…………Kosovo Constitution Day. . 01 May………… Labor Day. Ministria e Punëve të Jashtme . 06 May………….Orthodox Easter Monday. Ministarstvo Inostranih Poslova . 09 May………….Europe Day. Ministry of Foreign Affairs . 28 July…………. Fiter Bayram. ______. 04 October……...Kurban Bayram. . 25 December...... Catholic Christmas Day. Akademia Diplomatike Diplomatska Akademija Diplomatic Academy

THE REGULATIONS Good mission! New arrival

Prishtina, 2014 26

CONTENT . Military with rank General. . Deputies of the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo. 1. Agrément (Article 4 of the Vienna Convention . General Secretaries of the Presidency, Assembly and on Diplomatic Relations)...... 3 Prime Ministry.

. Senior advisors to the Ministers. 1.1. Multiple accreditations (Article 5 of the

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations).....3 I. The : 1.2. Arrival of a in Kosovo...... 3  Chairperson of the Municipally Assemblies.

 General Secretaries in the Ministries. 2. Call on the Chief of State Protocol...... 5  Directors of Institutes and Agencies at the country level. 3. Ceremonial for the presentation of Letters of  Mayors of the District Court. Credence...... 6  District Public Prosecutors.  Director of the National Museum. 3.1 Participants  Archive director. 3.2 Dress  Chairman of the Organization of War Veterans 3.3 The accompanying team of the  President of the Economic Chamber.  Directors of Directorates in the Municipal Assemblies Ambassador: 3.4 Scenario of the ceremonial  Presidents of the non-Parliamentary Parties.

4. Courtesy calls by a new Head of Mission...... 15 o Among the qualified of the same rank, the senior on duty has priority of rank 5. Absence of the head of mission...... 17 o Among the qualified of the equal rank, a foreigner

has the priority 6. Recall of the head of mission...... 18 o All heads of the state have the equal rank, may they

7. Farewell calls...... 19 be presidents or king, therefore the precedence is given on the basis of the seniority on duty 8. State receptions...... 21 o Generalists before specialists-experts

9. Death of a or foreign dignitary...... 22

10. The state symbols...... 23

11. The order of precedence...... 24

12. The official holidays...... 26

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11. The order of precedence.

Officially, in the Republic of Kosovo, the order of 1. Agrément (Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on precedence of official ranks is divided into three main Diplomatic Relations). groups: The agrément for an Ambassador is applied from the

II. The : Foreign Ministry of the sending State. The application . President of Republic of Kosovo. may be made in the form of a Note Verbal by MFA via . Speaker of Parliament. the of the sending State, or via the . Prime Minister. Republic of Kosovo diplomatic Mission in the sending . President of the Institutional court. State. . Former Presidents. The application must contain the forenames and III. The : surname (and any titles) of the designed Ambassador as

. Vice Presidents of the Assembly. well as curriculum vitae giving education and career . Deputy Prime Ministers. details. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic . Ministers of the government according to the list of of Kosovo will proceed with Note Verbal to grant the decree. agrément . Head of diplomatic missions in the Republic of Kosovo. 1.1. Multiple accreditations (Article 5 of Vienna . Head of Diplomatic Missions of the Republic of Convention on DR) Kosovo abroad. The same procedure must be followed for the . Heads of Parliamentary group. accreditation of a Head of Mission in Republic of . Members of the Constitutional Court. Kosovo who is already accredited in a third country and . Mayor of Prishtina. has his permanent seat outside Kosovo. . Ombudsperson. . President of the Academy, Science and Arts. If an Ambassador accredited in Republic of Kosovo or another member of the diplomatic staff with his . Governor of Central Bank. . Attorney General. permanent seat in Pristina is also to be accredited in or

. Commander General of SFK. assigned to another Country, the Ministry of the Foreign . Director of State Protocol. Affairs requests that it be notified. . Director of AIK. . Director General of the Police. 1.2. Arrival of a Head of Mission in Kosovo

. Heads of Islamic, Catholic and Orthodox The Head of Diplomatic Mission or Charge d' Affaires, community. or any legitimate representative of the sending state must . Chargés d’Affaires a.i. in the Republic of Kosovo. notify the State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign . The seniors advisors to the President and Prime Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo of the date and time Minister. of the arrival of the Ambassador-designate . Rector of the Public University.

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and of the means of transport by which he/she will 10. The symbols of the State: arrive in Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo. I. Emblem The Embassy will also state the probable accommodation (hotel, residence, etc.) and indicate whether the Head of Mission is accompanied by a spouse. The department of State Protocol of MFA of the Republic of Kosovo will avail itself of the VIP service at the Airport “Adem Jashari”, in Prishtina, to meet the Head of Mission, arranging the use of VIP lounge, collect baggage and to provide the escort police to the

Residence of the Ambassador, if he/she arrives on a working day from Monday to Friday from 08:00-22:00. II. Flag If the Ambassador designate arrives in Republic of Kosovo outside these hours or on a public holiday, a fast and unimpeded crossing of the state border is provided for him/her at Prishtina Airport “Adem Jashari”.

The State Protocol of MFA of Republic of Kosovo provides vehicle for transfer from Prishtina Airport, to the residence or hotel.

1.3. Arrival by personal vehicle All Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of If the Ambassador arrives in Republic of Kosovo by Kosovo hold their State Flag in front of the Chancery personal vehicle, the mark, type, color and license plates and Residence. of the vehicle and names of the driver / chauffeur and other personas accompanying him/her must be In case of the visit of the , the State Flag of communicated in advance to the State Protocol of MFA Republic of Kosovo can rays next to the Flag of the of Republic of Kosovo. The border at which the Diplomatic Mission.

Ambassador-designate will enter in Republic of Kosovo and the scheduled date of the crossing must be III. Anthem communicated in order to enable a fast and unimpeded Europe (The anthem has no lyrics) crossing of the state border.

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9. Death of a Diplomat/High personality. 2. Call on the Chief of State Protocol.

After the notification by the Diplomatic Mission for the The new incoming ambassador will pay a courtesy visit death of the Head of Diplomatic Mission or another to the Director of state protocol of MFA of the Republic Diplomat, State Protocol in MFA, will support all the of Kosovo, as soon as possible after his/her arrival: the procedures for the funeral ceremony. The respective appointment should be made directly with the Director of State Protocol, in MFA. Department will send a letter of condolence to the Family of the late Diplomat.

In case of the disease of the President, Speaker or Prime The Director of Department of State Protocol of MFA Minister, the Minister of FA of the Republic of Kosovo, of the Republic of Kosovo will inform the new with the Chief of State Protocol will go to the Chancery incoming Ambassador about the date and procedures of or Residence of the Diplomatic Mission in Prishtina, to presentation of the letters of credence: express the condolences on behalf of the Institutions of . To the Minister/Deputy of Foreign Affairs of the the Republic of Kosovo and to sign on the Book of the Republic of Kosovo. Condolence. . To the President of the Republic of Kosovo.

In the absence of the Ambassador, Chief of State Protocol will present the condolence to the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.

To the death of a member of the Diplomatic Staff in

Prishtina, the condolence message will be sent by the Chief of State Protocol.

Concerning the funeral ceremony-mourning abroad, the

State Protocol will delegate the appropriately members of the delegation.

The wreath laying at a funeral ceremony is made as follows:

(a) For the Head of Diplomatic Mission by the President

(b) For the Members of the Diplomatic Missions by the MFA.

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3. Presentation of Letters of Credence. 8. State receptions.

In case there are several -designate in Republic of Kosovo waiting to present their credentials, According to the rules of protocol there are two state the order of the presentation of credentials is receptions by the head of the state: determined by the date of their arrival in Prishtina, save where the presentation of credentials was agreed upon (a) The diplomatic New Year (January) the invitations with a non-resident diplomatic mission, and the for the Ambassadors – the couple. Ambassador-designate arrives in Prishtina shortly before the date set for the presentation of credentials. (b) The Day of the Independence (17 February). Republic of Kosovo consistently complies with the provision of Article 13, Paragraph 2 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

On the date set for the presentation of copies of credentials, The Ambassador-designate, who may be accompanied by not more than one member of diplomatic staff of the Embassy, are transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo in an official vehicle. As a rule, the Ambassador-designate meet with the head of State Protocol or deputy, prior to the presentation of copies of credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo. The Head of State Protocol or his Deputy informs the newly- appointed Ambassador the details relating to the presentation of copies and the original of credentials:

The presentation of copies and the original of credentials are scheduled for the same day of the presentation of copies of letters of credence.

3.1. Participants

The following persons to the President will attend the ceremony on the Republic of Kosovo side:

. Director General or his Deputy in MFA.

. Chef de Cabinet of the President. . Political advisor to the President. . Director of the State Protocol in MFA. . Translator and Photographer.

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3.2. Dress 7.b Farewell to the Head of Diplomatic Mission at the Airport Adem Jashari, Prishtina. Gentlemen: Dark suit or national costume.

Ladies: Dark suit or dress. Usually Heads of Mission are bid farewell at Prishtina If there is a Military Attaché in the party: uniform (including decoration Airport by the State Protocol officer, clasp)

However, there is no farewell by the Protocol officer if 3.3. The accompanying team of the Ambassador the Head of Mission is departing from an airport other The new Ambassador may be accompanied by up to four diplomatic than Prishtina, by car or rail, before 08.00 or after members: 22.00, at the weekend or on a public holiday. On the The Embassy must notify the State Protocol of the Head of Mission's final departure from the Republic of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo in Kosovo, the state protocol of the Ministry of the advance of the names and titles of persons accompanying Foreign Affairs will contact the VIP service at the the Ambassador/members of the retinue. State Protocol relevant airport and ask that the VIP lounge be reserved. has the right to express reservations regarding individual The VIP lounge is generally available an hour before members of the retinue if they are not members of the departure. diplomatic staff of the Embassy.

The State Protocol will provide police escort as upon 3.4. Scenario of the ceremonial the arrival of the new ambassador. At the agreed time with the President’s Office and Embassy, the State Protocol Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo arrives at the residence or official premises of the diplomatic mission or a hotel. Following a short meeting, the Ambassador and the Protocol Officer leave the residence, official premises of the diplomatic mission or a hotel for the Office of the President of Republic of Kosovo in an official vehicle of Republic of Kosovo.

The Ambassador may be accompanied by not more than

three members of his/her retinue,

The motorcade on the occasion of the presentation of credentials is as follows:

1. Police car or 2 Ceremonial Motorcycles 2. Main car of the State Protocol conveying the Ambassador and the Protocol Officer 3. Additional Embassy’s car for Ambassador's retinue

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Immediately before the ceremony, the official vehicle 7. Farewell calls. stops in front of the main entrance to the Office of the President of Republic of Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo Flag and the Flag of the sending State are Calls on the following High Personalities of Republic of displayed above the main entrance. The red carpet Kosovo, are recommended: should be laid in front of the entrance to the Office of the President of Republic of Kosovo and he/she will (a) President of Republic of Kosovo. salute the honor guard. [1] 2 (b) The President of the Assembly. Before the entrance to the Residence, Ambassador is welcomed by the Head of the State Protocol of (c) The Prime Minister. Republic of Kosovo. The Head of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joins the Ambassador to a (d) The Minister of Foreign Affairs. special room, where the Ambassador does a signature in the Book of Friendship [2] and they spend few (e) The Doyen of the . moments having a short conversation. With the Head of the State Protocol of Republic of Kosovo on his/her left (f) Some members of the Government with whom the side, Ambassador enters the Main Hall of the Head of Mission has had official contacts. President’s Office. The Ambassador, accompanied by the Chief of State Protocol, should approach the (g) Mayor of Prishtina. President of Republic Kosovo who will have taken up position on the opposite side of the room with his party, All these farewell calls may be arranged directly by the stop about three (3) meters from Him. The members of Embassy the Ambassador's retinue follow a few paces behind them. [3] 7.a. Calls at the MFA of Republic of Kosovo The Head of the State Protocol of the MFA of Republic recommended on: of Kosovo introduces the Ambassador to the President of Republic of Kosovo by pronouncing his/her title, (a) Director General. personal name, and full name of the sending state in a loud voice. Immediately after the announcement the (b) The Head of the relevant political departments.

Ambassador walks up to the President of Republic of Kosovo, then stops three paces before him and (c) The Head of the State Protocol. addresses him as follow: Your Excellency, Majesty, Holiness (option: All these farewell calls may be arranged directly by the Mr./Mrs./Ms. President), please, allow me to present to State Protocol. Organization of the farewell party of the you the credentials or/ I have the honor to present to outgoing chief of the mission is in his discretion. your hands the Letter of Credence by which ………..(respective Head of State) has accredited me to 8 19

6. Recall of a Head of Mission. Your Excellency/ Majesty, Holiness as Ambassador

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of (respective State). The end of a Mission should be notified in a visit to the Then He/she approaches the President of Republic of Chief of State Protocol or his deputy or in a letter to the Kosovo and formally with both hands presents to Him Chief of Protocol or in a Note Verbal. the Letter of Credence and the Letter of Recall of his/her predecessor.[4,5] The President of Republic of Kosovo The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs would be grateful if formally accepts the letters and shakes hands with the it could at the same time be informed, where possible, Ambassador and he addresses to the Ambassador: of the name of the Head's successor, of the Head's designed new assignment and of the expected date of I am very pleased (have the particular honor) to accept departure. this letter of credence accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kosovo. Please transmit to your President, His/Her Excellency; His/Her Majesty; His/Her Holiness

Mr./Mrs./Ms…………… my appreciation of the kind message which has transmitted through you. On this occasion, a short photo session is envisaged. The Ambassador will then introduce the members of the accompanying team to the President of Republic of Kosovo.[6]

Note:

The press will be informed of the date on which

accreditation will take place by the Press Office of the President.

.Ambassador and his team are kindly requested to switch off their cell phones during the ceremony

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5. Absence of the Ambassador.

If the Ambassador leaves temporarily the Republic of Republic of Kosovo, the Embassy should notify the state protocol by a Note Verbal, indicating the name of the diplomatic staff, which will directorate with the diplomatic mission in the capacity of Chargé d’Affaires ad interim till the return of the head of diplomatic mission.

[1] Entrance

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Further, the new Ambassador pays visits to the old Ambassadors according to the order of precedence, the chargés d’Affaires visit the new Ambassador.

After the accommodation in the residence, new Ambassador can invite to a reception in his/her residence the Minister of Foreign Affairs, some ministers, chief of state protocol, the dean of CD etc.

H. E. Madam Angelika VIETS, Ambassador

[2] Signing on the friendships book

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4. Courtesy calls by a new Head of Mission.

4.1. The following first calls by the new Head of Mission are recommended:

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo

2. President of the Assembly, 3. Prime Minister.

4.2. Others subjects:

1. On Directors-General and the head of the relevant political division in MFA of Kosovo. 2. On the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps. 3. On some Governments ministers of Kosovo. 4. Mayor of Prishtina.

All these calls can be arranged directly by the Embassy

Important notes:

In the event that an ambassador presents only the copies of his/her credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo and has not yet presented his/her credentials to the President of Republic of Kosovo, it is preferred that he/she does not attend events at which the President of Republic of Kosovo is present, or that

he/she consults the Protocol Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo prior to [3] Place position Introduction of the attending such an event. Ambassador There are no rules for hospitality offered by the new Ambassador after the presentation of the credentials to the President. The organization of these informal reception (vin d‘honneur) is at the Ambassador’s

discretion.

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[5] Presentation of the letter of credence [4] Ambassador’s address to the President

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