Vienna Convention on Consular Relations

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party	Reservations / Declarations	Objections
Barbados	Yes	No
Belize	Yes	No
Bulgaria	Yes	No
Canada	Yes	No
China	Yes	No
Cuba	Yes	Yes
Denmark	Yes	No
Egypt	Yes	Yes
Fiji	Yes	No
Finland	Yes	No
Germany	Yes	No
Greece	Yes	No
Iceland	Yes	No
Iraq	Yes	Yes
Israel	Yes	No
Italy	Yes	No
Kuwait	Yes	No
Lesotho	Yes	No
Malta	Yes	No
Mexico	Yes	No
Morocco	Yes	Yes
Mozambique	Yes	No
Myanmar	Yes	Yes
Netherlands, the Kingdom of the	Yes	No
Norway	Yes	No
Oman	Yes	No
Palestine	Yes	No
Qatar	Yes	Yes
Romania	Yes	No
Saudi Arabia	Yes	Yes
Sweden	Yes	No
Syria	Yes	Yes
Thailand	Yes	No
United Arab Emirates	Yes	Yes
United Kingdom	Yes	No
United States of America	Yes	No
Vietnam	Yes	No
Yemen	Yes	Yes

Barbados

11-05-1992

The Government of Barbados hereby declares that it will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions as relating only to Acts in respect of which consular officers and consular employees enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of the juridical or administrative authorities of the receiving state in accordance with the provisions of article 43 of the Convention.

Belize

30-11-2000

The Government of Belize will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of Article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions as relating only to acts in respect of which consular officers and consular employees enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of the judicial or administrative authorities of the receiving State in accordance with the provisions of Article 43 of the Convention. The Government of Belize further declares that it will interpret Chapter II of the Convention as applying to all career consular employees, including those employed at a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer.

Bulgaria

11-07-1989

The People's Republic of Bulgaria considers that referring to the provisions of article 31, paragraph 2 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations the authorities of the receiving State may enter the consular premises in the event of fire or other disaster in the presence of a representative of the sending State or after all appropriate steps have been taken to obtain the consent of the head of the consular post.

Canada

14-05-2014

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has the honour to refer to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and the Secretary-General's communication of 9 April 2014, numbered C.N.177.2014.TREATIES-III.6, relating to that treaty.
The Permanent Mission of Canada notes that this communication was made pursuant to the Secretary General's capacity as Depositary for the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Permanent Mission of Canada notes the technical and administrative role of the Depositary, and that it is for States Parties to a treaty, not the Depositary, to make their own determination with respect to any legal issues raised by instruments circulated by a depositary.
In that context, the Permanent Mission of Canada notes that 'Palestine' does not meet the criteria of a state under international law and is not recognized by Canada as a state. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, the Permanent Mission of Canada wishes to note its position that in the context of the purported Palestinian accession to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 'Palestine' is not able to accede to this convention, and that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations does not enter into force, or have an effect on Canada's treaty relations, with respect to the 'State of Palestine'.

China

24-04-1963

The Taiwan authorities' signature on this Convention in the name of China is illegal and null and void.

Cuba

15-10-1965

The Revolutionary Government of Cuba makes an express reservation to the provisions of articles 74 and 76 of the Convention because it considers that, in view of the nature of the content and rules of the Convention, all free and sovereign States have the right to participate in it, and the Revolutionary Government is therefore in favour of facilitating accession by all countries in the international community, without distinction as to the territorial size of States, the number of their inhabitants or their social, economic or political systems.

Objection Luxembourg, 08-03-1972

The Government of Luxembourg is not in a position to accept the reservations formulated by the Government of Cuba regarding articles 74 and 76 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, done on 24 April 1963.

Denmark

15-11-1972

In respect of article 5 (j), consular posts established in Denmark by foreign States may not, except by virtue of a special agreement, execute letters rogatory or commissions to take evidence for the courts of the sending State, and may transmit judicial and extra-judicial documents only in civil or commercial matters.
(1) With reference to Article 22, the Government of Denmark expresses the wish that it may be possible to maintain the practice existing between Denmark and a number of other countries to appoint honorary consular officers from among persons having the nationality of the receiving State or of a third State; the Government of Denmark further expresses the hope that States with which Denmark establishes consular relations will give their consent, pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 22, to the appointment of honorary consuls having the nationality of the receiving State or a third State.
(2) With reference to Article 68, the Government of Denmark expresses its desire, in accordance with Danish practice, to continue appointing honorary consular officers and, on condition of reciprocity, its willingness to continue receiving honorary consular officers in Denmark.

Egypt

21-06-1965

2- Paragraph 1 of article 46 concerning exemption from registration of aliens and residence permits shall not apply to consular employees.
3- Article 49 concerning exemption from taxation shall apply only to consular officers, their spouses and minor children. This exemption cannot be extended to consular employees and to members of the service staff.
4- Article 62 concerning exemption from custom duties and taxes on articles for the official use of a consular post headed by an honorary officer, shall not apply.
5- Article 65 is not accepted. Honorary consular officers cannot be exempted from registration of aliens and residence permits.
6- It is the understanding of the United Arab Republic that the privileges and immunities specified in this Convention are granted only to consular officers, their spouses and minor children and cannot be extended to other members of their families.

Objection France, 31-12-1970

The Government of the French Republic does not regard as valid the reservations to articles 46, 49, 62 and 65 of the Convention made by the Government of the United Arab Republic. This declaration shall not be regarded as an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between the French Republic and the United Arab Republic.

Objection Germany, 07-09-1971

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany does not regard as valid the reservations to articles 46, 49, 62 and 65 of the Convention made by the Government of the United Arab Republic. This declaration shall not be regarded as an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Arab Republic.

Objection Denmark, 15-11-1972

The Government of Denmark objects to the reservations made by the Arab Republic of Egypt to paragraph 1 of article 46 and to articles 49, 62 and 65 of the Convention and to the reservation made by Italy to paragraph 1(c) of article 36 of the Convention.

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 17-12-1985

The Kingdom of the Netherlands does not regard as valid the reservations to the articles 46, 49 and 62 of the Convention made by the United Arab Republic. This declaration should not be regarded as an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Arab Republic.

Fiji

28-04-1972

Fiji will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of Article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions as relating only to acts in respect of which consu- lar officers and consular employees enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of the judicial or administrative authorities of the receiving State in accordance with the provisions of article 43 of the Convention.

Finland

02-07-1980

With regard to article 35, paragraph 1, and article 58, paragraph 1, Finland does not accord to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers the right to employ diplomatic or consular couriers and diplomatic or consular bags, or to governments, diplomatic missions and other consular posts the right to employ these means in communicating with consular posts headed by honorary consular officers, except to the extent that Finland may have consented thereto in particular cases.

With reference to article 22 of the Convention, the Finnish Government expressed the wish that in countries where it has been an established practice to allow nationals of the receiving State or of a third State to be appointed as Finnish honorary consuls, this practice will continue to be allowed as before. The Finnish Government also expresses the hope that countries with which Finland establishes new consular relations will follow a similar practice and will give their consent to such appointments pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 22.

With reference to article 49, paragraph 1 b, the Finnish Government wishes to add that, according to established practice, exemption cannot be granted in respect of dues or taxes levied on certain private movable property, such as shares or stock or other form of partnership in condominium or housing corporation entitling the holder of such movable property to possess and control immovable property situated in the territory of Finland and owned or otherwise legally possessed by the said condominium or housing corporation.

Germany

08-04-1974

The Federal Republic of Germany interprets the provisions of Chapter II of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, done on 24 April 1963, as applying to all career consular personnel (consular officers, consular employees and members of the service staff), including those assigned to a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer, and that it will apply the said provisions accordingly.

Greece

16-03-1994

Accession of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 does not imply its recognition on behalf of the Hellenic Republic.

Iceland

01-06-1978

With reference to article 22 of the Convention, the Icelandic Government expresses the wish that in countries where it has been an established practice to allow nationals of the receiving State or of a third State to be appointed as Icelandic honorary consuls, this will continue to be allowed as before. The Icelandic Government also expresses the hope that countries with which Iceland establishes new consular relations will follow a similar practice and will give their consent to such appointments pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 22.

Iraq

14-01-1970

The accession of the Republic of Iraq to this Convention shall in no way constitute recognition of the Member of the United Nations called Israel or imply any obligation toward or relation with the said Member.

Objection Israel, 16-03-1970

The Government of Israel declared that it has noted the political character of the declaration made by the Government of Iraq. In the view of the Government of Israel, the Convention and Protocol are not the proper place for making such political pronouncements.

Israel

16-05-2014

The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as depositary to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and refers to the communication by the depositary, dated 9 April 2014, regarding the Palestinian request to accede to this Convention (Reference number C.N.177.2014.TREATIES-III.6).
'Palestine' does not satisfy the criteria for statehood under international law and lacks the legal capacity to join the aforesaid convention both under general international law and the terms of bilateral Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
The Government of Israel does not recognize 'Palestine' as a State, and wishes to place on record, for the sake of clarity, its position that it does not consider 'Palestine' a party to the Convention and regards the Palestinian request for accession as being without legal validity and without effect upon Israel's treaty relations under the Convention.

Italy

25-06-1969

With reference to the provision contained in article 36, paragraph 1 (c), of the Convention on Consular Relations, the Italian Government considers that the right of a consular official to visit nationals of his State who are for any reason held in custody and to act on their behalf may not be waived, inasmuch as it is embodied in general law. The Italian Government will therefore act on the basis of reciprocity.

Kuwait

31-07-1975

It is understood that the ratification of this Convention does not mean in any way recognition of Israel by the Government of the State of Kuwait. Furthermore, no treaty relations will arise between the State of Kuwait and Israel.

Lesotho

26-07-1972

The Kingdom of Lesotho will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions or to produce official correspondence and documents relating thereto as not extending to matters, correspondence or documents connected with the administration of the estate of a deceased person in respect of which a grant of representation has been made to a member of a consular post.

Malta

10-12-1997

1. Article 5 (j)
The Government of Malta declares that consular posts established in Malta may not execute letters rogatory or commissions to take evidence for the courts of the sending State or transmit judicial or extra-judicial documents.
2. Article 44 paragraph 3
Malta will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions as relating only to acts in respect of which consular officers and consular employees enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of judicial or administrative authorities of the receiving State in accordance with article 43 of the Convention.

Mexico

16-06-1965

Mexico does not accept that part of article 31, paragraph 4 of the Convention which refers to expropriation of consular premises. The main reason for this reservation is that that paragraph, by contemplating the possibility of expropriation of consular premises by the receiving State, presupposes that the sending State is the owner of the premises. That situation is precluded in the Mexican Republic by article 27 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, according to which foreign States cannot acquire private title to immovable property unless it is situated at the permanent seat of Federal Power and necessary for the direct use of their embassies or legations.

Morocco

23-02-1977

Morocco's accession to the Convention on Consular Relations shall not in any way imply tacit recognition of "Israel"; nor shall any conventional relations be established between the Kingdom of Morocco and "Israel".
Article 62, concerning the exemption from customs duties on articles for the use of a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer, shall not apply.
Article 65 shall not apply, since honorary consular officers cannot be exempted from obligations in regard to the registration of aliens and residence permits.

Objection Germany, 25-07-1977

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany regards the reservations made by the Kingdom of Morocco in respect of articles 62 and 65 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963 as incompatible with the purpose and objective of the Convention.
This declaration shall, however, not be regarded as an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Morocco.

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 17-12-1985

The Kingdom of the Netherlands does not regard as valid the reservation to article 62 of the Convention made by the Kingdom of Morocco. This declaration should not be regarded as an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Morocco.

04-04-1977

The Government of Morocco declared that 'the reservation concerning Israel ... constituted a declaration of general policy which did not affect the legal effects of the provisions of the said Convention as far as their application in respect of the Kingdom of Morocco was concerned.

Objection Israel, 12-05-1977

The instrument deposited by the Government of Morocco contains a statement of a political character in respect to Israel. In the view of the Government of Israel, this is not the proper place for making such political pronouncements which are, moreover, in flagrant contradiction to the principles, objects and purposes of the Organization. That pronouncement by the Government of Morocco cannot in any way affect whatever obligations are binding upon Morocco under general international law or under particular treaties.
The Government of Israel will, insofar as concerns the substance of the matter, adopt towards the Government of Morocco an attitude of complete reciprocity.

Mozambique

18-04-1983

As regards articles 74 and 76, the People's Republic of Mozambique considers that these provisions are incompatible with the principle that multilateral international instruments whose purpose and subject matters are of interest to the International Community as a whole should be open for universal participation.
It also considers that the said articles are contrary to the principle of sovereign equality of states and deprive sovereign states from their legitimate right to participate in it.

Myanmar

02-01-1997

Reservations on article 35, paragraph 1 and article 58, paragraphs 1 and 2:
With regard to article 35, paragraph 1 and article 58, paragraph 1, concerning the freedom of communication, the Government of the Union of Myanmar shall not accord to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers the right to employ diplomatic or consular couriers and diplomatic or consular bags, or to governments, diplomatic missions and other consular posts the right to employ these means in communicating with consular posts headed by honorary consular officers, except to the extent that the Union of Myanmar may have consented thereto in particular cases.

Furthermore, with regard to facilities, privileges and immunities as provided by article 58, paragraph 2, the Government of the Union of Myanmar shall not accord exemption from registration of aliens and residence permits to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers.

Declaration on article 62:
With regard to article 62, the Government of the Union of Myanmar shall not accord to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers exemption from customs duties and taxes on articles for their official use except to the extent that the Union of Myanmar may have consented thereto on the merits of each case.

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 17-02-1998

The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands considers the declaration with regard to article 62 of [the said Convention] made by the Government of Myanmar as a reservation and does not regard this reservation as valid. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Union of Myanmar.

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

17-12-1985

On the occasion of the accession of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares the following:
- The Kingdom of the Netherlands interprets Chapter II of the Convention as applying to all career consular officers and employees, including those assigned to a consular post headed by a honorary consular officer.
- The Kingdom of the Netherlands interprets the words "not, solely by the operation of the law of the receiving State" in article II of the Optional Protocol concerning Acquisition of Nationality as meaning acquisition of nationality by descent is not regarded as acquisition of nationality solely by the operation of this law.

Norway

13-02-1980

With reference to article 22 of the Convention, the Norwegian Government expresses the wish that in countries where it has been an established practice to allow nationals of the receiving State or of a third State to be appointed as Norwegian honorary consuls, this practice will continue to be allowed as before. The Norwegian Government also expresses the hope that countries with which Norway establishes new consular relations will follow a similar practice and will give their consent to such appointments pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 22.

Oman

31-05-1974

The accession of this Convention does not mean in any way recognition of Israel by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. Furthermore, no treaty relations will arise between the Sultanate of Oman and 'Israel'.

Palestine

06-06-2014

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.273.2014.TREATIES-III.6, dated 22 May 2014, conveying a communication of Canada regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, dated 24 April 1963.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of Canada and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine 'non-member observer State status in the United Nations'. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which entered into force on 2 May 2014, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

06-06-2014

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.291.2014.TREATIES-III.6, dated 22 May 2014, conveying a communication of Israel regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, dated 24 April 1963.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of Israel, the occupying Power, and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine 'non-member observer State status in the United Nations'. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which entered into force on 2 May 2014, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

06-06-2014

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.257.2014.TREATIES-III.6, dated 15 May 2014, conveying a communication of the United States of America regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, dated 24 April 1963.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of the United States of America and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine 'non-member observer State status in the United Nations'. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which entered into force on 2 May 2014, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

Qatar

04-11-1998

1. Article 35, paragraph 3:
The Government of Qatar reserves the right to open the consular bag in the following cases:
(a) Where it is evident that the consular bag is being used for unlawful purposes that are incompatible with the objectives for which immunities with respect to the bag were codified. In such a case, the diplomatic mission concerned and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be notified, the bag shall be opened with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the items determined to be in the bag shall be confiscated in the presence of a representative of the mission to which the bag belongs;
(b) Where the State of Qatar has strong reasons, supported by prima facie evidence, to believe that the consular bag has been used for unlawful purposes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar may request the consular mission concerned to open the bag in order to ascertain its contents. It shall be opened in the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one member of the mission to which the bag belongs. Should the mission refuse the request to open the bag, then the bag must be returned to its place of origin.
2. Article 36, paragraph 1:
The rights accorded in this article shall not extend to those consular employees who are engaged in administrative tasks or to the members of their families.
3. Article 49:
Local personnel employed by consulates shall not be exempt from the dues and taxes stipulated in this article that are imposed by domestic laws.
4. Accession to the Convention shall under no circumstances imply recognition of Israel and shall not lead to any such dealings with it as are governed by the provisions of the Convention.

Objection Sweden, 04-11-1998

The Government of Sweden Notes that the reservations concerning article 35, paragraph 3, goes beyond the rights of the receiving State not only in relation to the Convention, but also according to customary international law.
In the opinion of the Government of Sweden, the protection of the consular bag constitutes an important element of the Convention and any reservation intended to allow a receiving State to open the consular bag without the approval of the sending State, or alter the use of terms codified through the Convention, is a serious qualification of the freedom of communication regime.
The Government of Sweden therefore objects to the reservations to article 35, paragraph 3, of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations made by the Government of Qatar.
This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Sweden and Qatar. Furthermore, the Government of Sweden takes the view that article 35, paragraph 3, remains in force in relations between Sweden and Qatar by virtue of international customary law.

Objection Israel, 25-03-1999

The instrument of accession by the Government of Qatar to the [...] Convention contains a statement of a political character in respect ot Israel. In the view of the Government of Israel, this is not the proper place for making such political pronouncements. That declaration cannot in any way affect the obligations of Qatar already existing under general International Law and under this particular Convention. The Government of Israel will, in so far as concerns the substance of the matter, adopt towards Qatar an attitude of complete reciprocity.

Objection Finland, 17-03-2000

The Government of Finland Notes that the inviolability of the official correspondence between the Sending State and the consular post can be considered one of the main objects of the Convention. As Qatar reserves the right to open a consular bag without a prior consent by the Sending State, it is the view of the Government of Finland that the above-mentioned reservation to Article 35 is in clear contradiction with the object and purpose of the Convention.
According to the reservation to Article 46, para. 1, Qatar reserves the right to subject those consular employees who are engaged in administrative tasks or the members of their families to registration of aliens and residence permits. Para. 2 of Article 46 contains an exhaustive list of persons who are not exempt from the requirement of registration of aliens and residence permits. Given that the consular employees who are engaged in administrative tasks or the members of their families are covered by Article 46 para. 1, and as they are not included in the list of para. 2 of the same article, it is the opinion of the Government of Finland that the reservation is not in conformity with Article 46, nor with the object and purpose of the Convention.
The Government of Finland therefore objects to the reservation made by the Government of Qatar to the said Convention. This objection does not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Qatar and Finland. The Convention will thus become operative between the two states without Qatar benefitting from the reservation

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 17-07-2000

The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands objects to the reservation made by the Government of Qatar in relation to article 35, paragraph 3, of the said Convention.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Notes that the inviolability of the consular bag constitutes an important element of the Convention and any reservation intended to allow a receiving State to open the consular bag without the approval of the sending State is not only in contradiction with the very language of article 35, paragraph 3, of the Convention but also with customary international law.
Furthermore, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands objects to the reservation made by the Government of Qatar in relation to Article 46, paragraph 1, of the said Convention.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Notes that Article 46, paragraph 2, contains an exhaustive list of persons who are not exempt from the requirement of registration of aliens and residence permits. Given that the consular employees who are engaged in administrative tasks or the members of their families are covered by Article 46, paragraph 1, and are not included in the aforesaid list, the reservation concerning article 46, paragraph 1, is not in conformity with paragraph 2 of the same article, nor with the object and purpose of the Convention.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands therefore objects to the aforesaid reservations made by the Government of Qatar. These objections shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Qatar.

Romania

24-02-1972

The State Council of the Socialist Republic of Romania considers that the provisions of articles 74 and 76 of the Convention are incompatible with the principle that multilateral international treaties whose subject-matter and purposes are of interest to the international community as a whole should be open for universal accession.

Saudi Arabia

29-06-1988

1. Approval of this Convention in no way signifies recognition of Israel and shall not lead to entry with Israel into the relations governed by this Convention.
2. The transmission of the judicial and extrajudicial documents shall be confined to civil and commercial questions and shall in all other cases be effected only by a special agreement.
3. The privileges and immunities provided for under the Convention are guaranteed only for consular staff and their spouses and minor children and shall not extend to other members of their families.
4. The privileges and immunities set forth in chapter III concerning honorary consular officers and consular posts headed by such officers shall be confined to a consular post where the honorary consul is a Saudi Arabian citizen. Consular posts headed by honorary consuls shall not be entitled to use the consular means of correspondence and consular bags referred to in article 35 of the Convention. Governments or other diplomatic missions or consular posts may not use such means of correspondence in their communications with honorary consular posts save within the limits agreed upon in particular cases.

Objection Israel, 29-11-1989

The Government of Israel declared that it has noted the political character of the declaration made by the Government of Saudi Arabia. In the view of the Government of Israel, the Convention and Protocol are not the proper place for making such political pronouncements.

Sweden

19-03-1974

With regard to article 35, paragraph 1, and article 58, paragraph 1, Sweden does not accord to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers the right to employ diplomatic or consular couriers and diplomatic or consular bags, or to Governments, diplomatic missions and other consular posts the right to employ these means in communicating with consular posts headed by honorary consular officers, except to the extent that Sweden may have consented thereto in particular cases.

With reference to article 22 of the Convention, the Swedish Government expresses the wish that in countries where it has been an established practice to allow nationals of the receiving State or of a third State to be appointed as Swedish honorary consuls, this will continue to be allowed as before. The Swedish Government also expresses the hope that countries with which Sweden establishes new consular relations will follow a similar practice and will give their consent to such appointments pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 22.

Syria

13-10-1978

(a) Accession of the Syrian Arab Republic to the said Convention and ratification thereof by its Government does not, in any way, imply recognition of Israel, nor shall they lead to any such dealings with the latter as are governed by the provisions of the Convention;
(b) The Syrian Arab Republic shall be under no obligation to apply article 49 of the Convention to local personnel employed by consulates or to exempt them from dues and taxes.

Objection Israel, 11-05-1979

The Government of Israel declared that it has noted the political character of the declaration made by the Government of Syria. In the view of the Government of Israel, the Convention and Protocol are not the proper place for making such political pronouncements.

Thailand

15-04-1999

The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand declares that the term 'competent judicial authority' under article 41 (1) of the Convention means all competent officials under Thai criminal procedure.

United Arab Emirates

24-02-1977

The accession of the United Arab Emirates to this Convention shall in no way amount to recognition of nor the establishment of any treaty relation with Israel.

Objection Israel, 12-05-1977

The Government of Israel declared that it has noted the political character of the declaration made by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. In the view of the Government of Israel, the Convention and Protocol are not the proper place for making such political pronouncements. The Government of Israel will, in so far as concerns the substance of the matter, adopt towards the Government of the United Arab Emirates an attitude of complete reciprocity.

United Kingdom

27-03-1964

The United Kingdom will interpret the exemption accorded to members of a consular post by paragraph 3 of article 44 from liability to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions as relating only to acts in respect of which consular officers and consular employees enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of the judicial or administrative authorities of the receiving State in accordance with the provisions of article 43 of the Convention.

09-05-1972

The United Kingdom hereby confirms its declaration in respect of paragraph 3 of article 44 of the Convention made at the time of signature, and further declares that it will interpret Chapter II of the Convention as applying to all career consular employees, including those employed at a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer.

United States of America

13-05-2014

The Government of the United States of America does not believe the 'State of Palestine' qualifies as a sovereign State and does not recognize it as such. Accession to the Convention is limited to sovereign States. Therefore, the Government of the United States of America believes that the 'State of Palestine' is not qualified to accede to the Convention and affirms that it will not consider itself to be in a treaty relationship with the 'State of Palestine' under the Convention.

Vietnam

08-09-1992

The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam shall not accord to the consular posts headed by the honorary consular officers the right to employ diplomatic, consular couriers, diplomatic and consular bags or messages in code or cipher; or to other governments, their diplomatic missions or consular posts headed by the honorary consular officers, unless the Government of the Socialist Re public of Vietnam may give express consent thereto in a particular case.

Yemen

10-04-1986

1. The accession of the Yemen Arab Republic to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna on 24 April 1963, in no way implies recognition of Israel and shall not entail the entry of the Yemen Arab Republic with Israel into any of the relations governed by this Convention.
2. The Yemen Arab Republic understands the words "members of their families forming part of their households" in article 46, paragraph 1, and article 49 as being restricted to members of the consular posts and their wives and minor children for the purpose of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by them.
3. Where there are serious and strong grounds for believing that the consular bag contains articles or substances not mentioned in article 35, paragraph 4, of the Convention, the Yemen Arab Republic reserves its right to request that the bag be opened in the presence of a representative of the consular mission concerned. If the consulate refuses to comply with this request, the bag shall be returned to its place of origin.
4. The Yemen Arab Republic shall have the right to in-spect foodstuffs imported by consular representatives in order to ascertain that they conform in quantity and in kind to the list submitted by them to the customs authorities and the Office of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of obtaining approval for their importation exempt from customs duties.

Objection Netherlands, the Kingdom of the, 05-12-1986

The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the reservation made by the Yemen Arab Republic concerning the articles 46, paragraph 1, and 49 of the Convention only in so far as it does not purport to exclude the husbands of female members of the consular posts from enjoying the same privileges and immunities under the present Convention.

Objection Israel, 01-09-1987

The Government of Israel declared that it has noted the political character of the declaration made by the Government of Yemen. In the view of the Government of Israel, the Convention and Protocol are not the proper place for making such political pronouncements.

Objection United States of America, 04-09-1987

The Government of the United States wishes to state its objection to the reservation regarding the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations made with respect to paragraph 3 of article 35 by the Yemen Arab Republic.
The Government of the United States Notes that the reservation made with respect to paragraph l of Article 46 and Article 49 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by the Yemen Arab Republic states that the Yemen Arab Republic understands the term "members of their families forming part of their households" in paragraph l of Article 46 and Article 49 as being restricted to members of the consular posts and, inter alia, their wives for the purpose of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by them. The United States understands this term to include members of the consular posts and their spouses, regardless of whether the spouse is a husband or wife. Accordingly, the Government of the United States wishes to state its objection if the Yemen Arab Republic does not include all spouses of the members of the consular posts as being within the meaning of the term "members of their families forming part of their households" in paragraph l of Article 46 and Article 49.
The Government of the United States, however, considers the [Convention] as continuing in force between it and the respective above-mentioned States except for the provisions to which the reservations are addressed in each case.

28-05-1987

The Government of Yemen should like to make clear in this connection that it was our country's intention in making that reservation that the expression "family of a member of the consular post" should, for the purposes of enjoyment of the privileges and immunities specified in the Convention, be understood to mean the member of the consular post, his spouse and minor children only.
The Government of Yemen should like to make it clear that this reservation is not intended to exclude the husbands of female members of the consular posts, as was suggested in the Netherlands interpretation, since it is natural that husbands should in such cases enjoy the same privileges and immunities.