Issue date: 11 Mar, 2019
GOVERNMENT BODIES. Spanish Diplomatic Service
The Spanish Diplomatic Service is one of the government bodies specialising in international relations, reporting exclusively to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
In a strictly functional sense they are civil servants, experts in international relations, accredited to represent Spain in other countries or with international organisations.
Although there have always been employees and figures engaged in diplomacy throughout the history of Spain, it was not until the Statute of Bravo Murillo in 1852 that a professional diplomatic corps was created and defined, based on merit and ability, and so the Diplomatic Service is considered a senior body of the Civil Service. The Service currently comprises nearly a thousand employees, half of them outside Spain in embassies, consulates and permanent diplomatic missions to international organisations. A large majority of the diplomatic civil servants in Spain work in the central services of the Ministry itself, while a significant number are assigned to other government departments, such as the Presidency, Defence, Justice, or Development; in constitutional bodies such as the Royal Household and Congress; and in agencies such as AECID, always with the purpose of ensuring effective, unified action by the Spanish state abroad. There is also a special group that works with international organisations such as the European External Action Service and the United Nations.
Although this career path is regarded as broad, it has two specialist branches which act jointly and alternatively: political, focusing on the representation of the State, and consular, working to protect Spanish citizens and entities abroad and deal with local authorities.
The stamp in this issue depicts various important elements of this civil service body, such as its institutional coat of arms and emblem, and highlights its human capital with various moving figures in the lower part, in which women are especially prominent.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.