The External Affairs Department has been formally established and today launches its official website at foreign.gov.vin, where the Network's representations, its consular services and its register of agreements are published.
Representations and services
- Representations
Seven representations beyond the boundaries of the Network, opening between 14 September and 2 November 2026.
- Consular Services
Assistance for citizens of the Network beyond its boundaries, and the standards to which it is provided.
- Travel Advice
Current advice for each area in which the Network maintains a representation, at one of four levels.
- Agreements
The register of instruments concluded with bodies outside the Network: eleven in force, two under negotiation.
- Protocol and Accreditation
How representatives of external bodies are accredited to the Network, and the courtesies extended to them.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who may ask for consular assistance, what the Department can and cannot do, and how to reach a representation.
Latest announcements
All news- Network to Open Seven Representations Beyond Its Boundaries
Three permanent representations, two liaison offices and two delegations will open between 14 September and 2 November 2026. The bodies to which each is accredited and its opening date are published from today.
- Consular Assistance Available to Citizens of the Network from Today
The Department today set out the consular assistance available to citizens of the Network beyond its boundaries, the standards to which it is provided, and the four levels of travel advice now in use.
- Department Publishes Register of Agreements and First Statistical Release
Thirteen instruments are listed on the Network's register of agreements, of which eleven are in force. The Department's first statistical release covers the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026.
About the Department
The External Affairs Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network conducts the relations of the Velocity Interoperability Network with bodies outside it.
It maintains the Network's representations beyond its boundaries, provides consular assistance to citizens of the Network abroad, keeps the register of agreements concluded with external bodies, and accredits the representatives those bodies send to the Network.
Milestones
6 September 2026
Department established
Responsibility for the Network's relations with bodies outside it, for its representations beyond its boundaries and for consular assistance to its citizens abroad.
6 September 2026
foreign.gov.vin launched
Press releases, the register of representations, consular guidance and travel advice published on the official website.
6 September 2026
Representations, register and first statistics confirmed
Seven representations announced for opening between 14 September and 2 November 2026, thirteen instruments listed on the register of agreements, and the first statistical release published.
Forthcoming
Quarterly reporting and further instruments
The first full quarterly statistical report, covering the quarter ending 30 September 2026, and the conclusion of the two instruments still under negotiation will be announced in the Newsroom.