Conference Paper

In the last three decades Governments and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Southeastern European countries follow the global trend to make use of the instrument – Honorary Consul as an added value, and quality and complementary enhancement of their existing network of professional diplomatic and consular posts. The terms honorary consul and consulate headed by an honorary consul are often used and represent integral and recognized part of the bilateral diplomatic and consular representation in the international relations. However, there still seems to be a great „gap‟ in the understanding of the significance of the instrument of honorary consul, which is likely a result of unjustified underestimation and evident deficiency of a focused research on the topic. In the 21st century, the sophisticated network of honorary consuls gains a new quality role in the global processes of transformation of the international relations, alongside with the emphasized transformation of „traditional‟ diplomacy. Honorary consuls are more often seen as a uniquely innovative and creative „tool‟ for economic, trade, investment, cultural and scientific promotion of the countries. This research paper offers focused clarifications related to the complex process for identifying the objective need for opening a consulate headed by an honorary consul, selection criteria, role and responsibilities, expected functions and services of the honorary consul, and unique S.W.O.T. analysis with a contemporary review on the specific importance of this institution in the contemporary era of regionalization and globalization.