Federation Diplomatic Corps

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The Federation Diplomatic Corps is comprised of all of the ambassadors, commissioners, and other envoys representing colonies, member worlds, and the Federation itself, as well as all of their staff. While operating under its own chain of command and reporting lines through the Department of the Exterior, the Diplomatic Corps works closely with Starfleet, both for transportation and logistics support and through the direct negotiations that are routinely carried out by Starfleet captains and flag officers on behalf of the Federation.

Diplomatic Rank

Federation diplomacy relies on a relatively rigid hierarchy which distinguishes diplomatic postings by their relative importance and based on the relationship between the two parties involved. This is necessary for matters of protocol and of consistency, so that representatives from all member worlds, colonies, and foreign powers are treated the same way in all cases.

Ambassador

Ambassador is the highest diplomatic rank, roughly equivalent to the Starfleet rank of Admiral in terms of protocol and authority, serving as the head of an Embassy. Ambassadors typically have several decades of service under their belts and represent the most seasoned and senior members of the Federation Diplomatic Corps. Certain Federation agencies and the Diplomatic Corps itself also may name individuals to ambassadorial rank without a specific duty station or charge.

• United Federation of Planets to Foreign Powers
  • e.g. the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire
• United Federation of Planets to Federation Member Worlds
  • e.g. the Federation Ambassador to Vulcan
• Federation Member Worlds to Foreign Powers
  • e.g. the Vulcan Ambassador to the Klingon Empire
• Roving Ambassador
  • e.g. Ambassador Sarek

High Commissioner

High Commissioners rank behind Ambassadors and head High Commissions. This rank is used for bilateral relationships between Federation member worlds, relationships between self-governing colonies and the Federation, and as a title of general authority for certain Federation governmental agencies.

• Federation Member World to Federation Member World
  • e.g. the High Commissioner of Vulcan to Andoria
• United Federation of Planets to Self-Governing Federation Colony
  • e.g. the Federation High Commissioner to Mantilles
• Self-Governing Federation Colony to United Federation of Planets
  • e.g. the High Commissioner of Mantilles to the United Federation of Planets
• Federation Agency
  • e.g. High Commissioner Ferris

Commissioner

Commissioners rank behind High Commissioners and head Commissions. This rank is used for bilateral relationships between member worlds and their colonies, between self-governing colonies and member worlds and each other, and as a title of general authority for certain Federation governmental agencies.

• Federation Member World to Own Dependent Federation Colony
  • i.e. the Commissioner of Betazed to Mellstoxx III
• Dependent Federation Colony to Parent Federation Member World
  • i.e. the Commissioner of Mellstoxx III to Betazed
• Self-Governing Federation Colony to Federation Member World
  • i.e. the Commissioner of Mantilles to Vulcan
• Self-Governing Federation Colony to Self-Governing Federation Colony
  • i.e. the Commissioner of Mantilles to Mariposa
• Federation Agency
  • e.g. Assistant Commissioner Nancy Hedford

Diplomatic Missions

An example of a diplomatic mission outside the Federation: the Federation Embassy on Tulgana IV.

A diplomatic mission is the standing group of dignitaries and staff representing the interests of one political body to another. Within the Federation, member planets and colonies provide both the diplomatic personnel as well as security and logistics support for their diplomatic missions. For diplomatic missions outside of the Federation, logistics support and security are provided by Starfleet. A diplomatic mission, regardless of its status from embassy to commission to consulate, is considered to be the sovereign territory of the government it represents. Unauthorized entry to a diplomatic mission could be considered an act of aggression. As such, the Federation considers the protections of its diplomats to be among its highest priorities, which is why Starfleet itself oversees their security.