agrement

Agrément is a term used to describe formal approval or consent, particularly in diplomacy. Derived from the French verb agréer, it means to approve or to be agreeable, and is commonly used to refer to official consent given for a diplomatic appointment or action. In diplomatic practice, agrément denotes the consent of the receiving state to the appointment of a foreign national as ambassador or envoy. The sending state nominates a candidate; the receiving state reviews the nomination and may grant or withhold agrément. The grant is usually communicated by a note verbale. Once agrément is granted, the envoy proceeds with accreditation and the exchange of credentials. If agrément is refused, the sending state typically withdraws the nomination or selects another candidate, and the incident can affect bilateral relations, though it is usually handled discreetly.

Beyond diplomacy, agrément can also signify general official approval or authorization for a project, license, or appointment within a government or organization. In English-language diplomacy, the term remains common in formal contexts and in discussions of diplomatic practice, though many texts prefer more explicit terms such as consent or accreditation.

See also: diplomacy, accreditation, note verbale, official consent.