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Russia’s president to accept credentials from 13 new ambassadors

When starting their work, foreign ambassadors present their credentials - a letter of credence from the country’s leader with a request to "credit" their representative - to the Russian president

© Алексей Никольский/пресс-служба президента РФ/ТАСС

MOSCOW, May 28. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept credentials from 13 new foreign ambassadors, the Kremlin press service said.

Top diplomats from Austria, Albania, Lithuania, Macedonia, Monaco and Saudi Arabia have been invited to a ceremony traditionally held in Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Besides, ambassadors from Senegal, Slovakia, the Philippines, Ecuador, Ethiopia, South Africa and South Sudan are due to present their credentials to the Russian president.

When starting their work in Russia, new foreign ambassadors traditionally present their credentials - a letter of credence from the country’s leader with a request to "credit" their representative - to the Russian president. The ceremony symbolises an official start of a diplomat’s work in Russia.

"After the credentials are handed over to the head of Russia’s state, activity of the new foreign ambassadors and permanent representatives of international organisations in Russia acquires an official status," Kremlin said.

Around 10-20 ambassadors, who have arrived in Russia in the recent months, are invited to the ceremonies which are held several times a year.

The compulsory attributes of the ceremony are the presidential words of greetings to foreign diplomats and a photo opportunity for each ambassador present. Upon the end of official part, the president offers a glass of champagne to the ambassadors in honour of the beginning of their work in Moscow. Given any participant cannot consume alcoholic beverages due to religious beliefs, they will be substituted with juice.

The head of state is accompanied by a foreign policy advisor and the foreign minister.

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