The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will once again grant official residences to consuls general and other senior positions abroad — a benefit currently restricted to ambassadors.
Thus, diplomats who occupy the post of consul general, alternate permanent representative or head of an office abroad will be entitled to housing paid for by the ministry — in addition to rent, expenses such as energy, water and heating will also be assumed. According to Itamaraty, at first, residences must have two employees: a cook and a general service provider.
The information was initially revealed by the newspaper O Globo and confirmed by leaf.
In total, there are 53 Itamaraty employees today in positions covered by the measure. The resumption of the benefit —which existed until 2015, during the Dilma Rousseff (PT) administration— was announced to diplomats through an internal circular. According to interlocutors, the document does not provide details on implementation, which should be progressive.
According to diplomats, the rental of this type of property requires a series of procedures, so that the extension of the benefit to the consuls general must occur on a case-by-case basis.
When questioned, Itamaraty did not inform the total cost of expanding official residences to head positions. He just said that the costs will be “gradually absorbed throughout the year [2022], as the processes of leasing the properties where these official residences will be located are concluded”.
The folder defended the measure and stated that the properties will represent the State.
“The measure will ensure more adequate performance of the functions of representation of the Brazilian State by the authorities in question, in addition to making it possible to host Brazilian authorities on official visits and the consequent savings in expenses with daily accommodation in hotels,” says the note.
Diplomats told the report that among the functions of the consuls general is establishing contacts with local authorities in the fields of politics, immigration, trade promotion and culture, among others.
In this sense, official residences also serve for these representatives to organize receptions and receive personalities.
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