Agreement in International Law

(French agrément), the preliminary consent of a state to accept a person as the head of the diplomatic mission of another state. An agreement is requested through diplomatic channels, usually by the head of the diplomatic mission who is being recalled. A request for an agreement is accompanied by a brief reference with the chief biographical data of the proposed diplomatic representative. The notification of an agreement is also done through diplomatic channels. Obtaining an agreement is necessary for appointing a person to head a diplomatic mission and for publishing this decision in the official organ of the state. The refusal of an agreement does not have to be motivated and should not be considered an unfriendly act. Agreements are not requested for the appointment of members of a diplomatic mission; the consent of the state to accept them is determined by the issuance of entrance visas.