Dyplomacja czy delegacja samorządowa za granicą? Charakter zagranicznych biur polskich województw

Abstract

For several decades there has been a signifi cant increase in international activity of local governments. One of its manifestations consists of the possibility to establish Brussels offi ces by regional and local governments. At the moment, each of the sixteen Polish voivodeships has an offi ce in the capital of the European Union. Thus, the question arises: do the entities enjoy diplomatic status? The Paper presents the legal basis for international cooperation of voivodeships, the concept of diplomacy and the right of legation. The Author also provides a comparative analysis of the Brussels offi ces of Polish voivodeships with diplomatic missions and special missions (the ad hoc diplomacy). The categories of entities are compared in terms of their legal status, organization, staff, as well as their functions.