Protocol

The Office of Protocol is responsible for the conduct of the Velocity Interoperability Network's external business: official visits, official correspondence and the ceremonies at which agreements are signed. It is the office through which an outside organisation first approaches the Network, and it sets the form in which the Network's business with the outside world is carried on.

The Office has four functions. Two of them, the arrangement of visits and the order of precedence, are described in detail on their own pages.

Official visits

The Office of Protocol arranges visits to the Network by representatives of outside organisations, and visits by the Ministry to them. Four types of visit are recognised, from a courtesy call to a full official visit, each with its own notice period and programme.

Official correspondence

Correspondence addressed to the Network as a whole is received by the Office of Protocol and passed to the office responsible. The Office keeps the index of correspondence and advises on the form in which a letter to the Network should be written.

Forms of address and precedence

The Office publishes the order of precedence of the Network and the forms of address for its bodies and officers, applies them at official occasions and decides doubtful cases.

Ceremonies and signings

The Office arranges the signing of agreements and other official ceremonies of the Network, including the placing of signatories and guests, the record of the occasion and the statement issued at its close.

Requests for visits and official correspondence should be sent to contact@ministry.gov.vin. Travel arrangements for visitors are a matter for the Immigration Department; see How We Work for who does what, and Guidance for what the Ministry does for each group that deals with the Network.