Parliamentary Diplomacy – A New Dimension of Contemporary Parliamentarism

The article analyses the phenomenon of parliamentary diplomacy. Although the international activity of parliamentarians was already observed in the 19 th century, it did not gain momentum until the 20 th and 21 st centuries, becoming an important element of international relations. The author indicates which manifestations of the international activity of parliamentarians deserve the name of parliamentary diplomacy and how this phenomenon, analysed in terms of “paradiplomacy”, influences the modification of the functions of modern parliaments, especially in terms of ensuring democratic control over the creation and implementation of the state’s foreign policy.