The Institute of Honorary Consulate in Ukraine: problems of legal status and development prospects

The article is devoted to the problems of the legal status and prospects for the development of the honorary consulate institution in Ukraine. Pursuant to this objective, the author reveals the essence and peculiarities of the legal status of honorary consuls, identifies the problematic aspects of the activities of honorary consular offices, and also determines the prospects for the development of this institution. Taking into account the analysis of the legal acts constituting the basis of the legal status of honorary consuls, the author concludes that there is a certain lack of order in the legislation. Instead of the above documents, the author suggests adopting a new version of the Consular Statute based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24.04.1963, which would consolidate the rules relating to the functioning of this institution. The main problems of the functioning of the honorary consulate in Ukraine include a certain legal uncertainty of the criteria for persons applying for the positions of honorary consuls. As a result, this leads to numerous corruption risks associated with the use of such a diplomatic status. The author establishes that the prospects for the development of the institution of honorary consulate in Ukraine should be to transform it into an important element of the public diplomatic system. The development of the institution of honorary consulates can help expand Ukraine’s diplomatic presence, which seems especially important in the postwar period. Quite often, public figures, entrepreneurs, and former politicians in their countries of residence become honorary consuls. This can help promote domestic economic interests, attract investment, facilitate the export of Ukrainian goods, develop bilateral relations between states, and create a positive image of Ukraine abroad. The latter seems to us especially important in the context of open armed confrontation, hybrid threats, and the spread of disinformation in the postwar period of Ukraine’s reconstruction. The author concludes that despite certain limitations of the powers of honorary consuls, the latter can contribute to ensuring the rights of citizens (subjects) of the States whose interests they represent, provide advisory and information support, and strengthen and establish international relations.