3 - Inter-State Political and Economic Relations and Transactions

Summary

Germany’s position on inter-State political and economic relations and transactions is addressed in this chapter. It is divided into four parts: diplomatic and consular relations; diplomatic and consular protection; unilateral coercive measures short of the use of force; and the law of treaties. The first part covers Cameroon protesting over the lack of protection of its embassy in Berlin against the background of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; an arrest warrant of a German court for the Namibian ambassador to Germany in the context of diplomatic immunity; German-Syrian diplomatic relations and the status of the Syrian National Coalition office in Berlin; the recall of the German ambassadors to Rwanda and Venezuela; and South Africa and Iraq accusing Germany of breaching the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The third part covers Germany sanctioning Iran by suspending the operating licence of an Iranian airline; and Germany’s use of persona non grata declarations as a general act of retorsion. The fourth part addresses Germany becoming a party to the Hong Kong Convention; the USA accusing Germany of breaching a treaty concerning extradition; and Germany’s position and practice on provisional application of treaties.