Diplomats represent their country’s interests. Traditionally, this leads to barely veiled competition between embassies accredited to third governments: for access, for influence, for commercial contracts. We will occasionally pull together for a common cause – EU embassies often do so as a matter of course – but generally as ‘coalitions of the willing’ rather than in longer term arrangements, even amongst allies.
The context is a little different here at the Holy See. Perhaps it helps that none of us has commercial deals to make with the Vatican? Or maybe the Holy See’s own diplomatic objective of ‘working for the common good’ helps to lead embassies accredited to the Holy See in more co-operative directions? A good example is the close working relationship between the British and Australian embassies, which also reflects our global strategic partnership, shared and common values, and a willingness at the highest level to find ways of working together to make a positive difference.
There are plenty of examples I could use to illustrate the working relationship between the British and Australian embassies to the Holy See. Here are three:
- The Arms Trade Treaty, where we engaged jointly with the Holy See to set out our determination to secure a result at the March conference of parties. This led to Holy See support for the talks that successfully delivered a Treaty that will save lives in the future.
- Close engagement on Syria, in order to raise awareness at the Holy See of work at the UN Security Council where Australia and the UK, alongside others, continue to seek urgently ways to improve access for humanitarian and medical aid for the many displaced civilians suffering from the conflict.
- Human Trafficking, where we came together recently to help strengthen the operational focus of the 2-3 November conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery held at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences. This ensured substantial outcomes from the conference, and a broad and representative list of participants, including strong delegations from the UK and Australia.
We’ve also been talking together about Australian-led efforts to introduce the great game of cricket to the Holy See. If there is a match between the Vatican and the Church of England at Lords next year, John McCarthy (the Australian Ambassador) and I will be sitting together. We may not be supporting the same side – there are some matters on which competition is inevitable – yet it will always be in the spirit of great good will.