by Miceál O’Hurley
DUBLIN – Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat would like to announce a further award of the Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours. The Awards Committee has concluded that His Excellency Dr. Masoud Eslami, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ireland is deserving of the Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours in the 2021 Diplomatic Service Awards. The conferral of the awards of the Diplomatic Service Medal will take place in December.
Dr. Eslami’s efforts in the field of strengthening the bilateral relations between Ireland and Iran have been instrumental in bringing the two nations closer together. In 2021, Ireland re-established a Diplomatic Mission in Tehran, headed at Chargé d’Affaires level. Because of the work of the two nations, for which Dr. Eslami deserves a great level of credit, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, T.D. announced Ireland’s commitment to re-open an Irish Embassy in 2023 as part of the Global Ireland strategy.
In March 2021, Minister Coveney visited Tehran where he met with then President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif. Those discussions demonstrated both the practical and strategic benefit to Ireland and Iran in building stronger relationships and included discussions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a critical agreement that has languished in the past few years. Dr. Eslami’s indespensible work helped play an integral part of the success of that visit and the advancement of bilateral relations between Ireland and Iran as well as multilateral relations with the wider European Union.
About the Diplomatic Service Medal
The Diplomatic Service Medal is struck as a medallion suspended from a bar and ribbon of blue and yellow reflecting the colours adopted by the European Union of which Ireland is an integral member. Burnished silver in colour, the medal depicts Nike, the goddess of victory surrounded by the eleven of the twelve stars of the European Union signifying that the work of the European Union and diplomats everywhere is never complete. Tradition holds that Nike represents the mythic gods as the embodiment of victory in both war and peaceful competition. As uniquely depicted on the Diplomatic Service Medal, the goddess Nike, faithful to the foundational commission of diplomats, is rendered without her sword associated with military might and instead holds aloft the torch of truth, knowledge and service lit with the flame of wisdom in her left hand while in her right she embraces the laurel wreath of peace.
The Diplomatic Service Awards are an annual event hosted by Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat. The Certificate and Medal are of exceptional design depicting the victory of diplomacy over conflict. The awards are conferred by the Editor and the Awards Chairperson each December.
Two Types of Awards for Diplomacy, International Relations, Research, Teaching & Service
The Diplomatic Service Award is a certificate that can be awarded to individuals who merit special recognition owing to their exceptional contributions of service in the fields of diplomacy, foreign affairs or international relations, in research or teaching in the academy, or in distinguished service rendered to diplomats. When the Diplomatic Service Award is conferred it is done so by means of a certificate describing the acts that merit the award.
The Diplomatic Service Medal is a medal struck in metal suspended from a clasp and ribbon. It may be conferred upon those who serve in the domestic or foreign services, holding diplomatic rank, or those who have rendered exceptional service to diplomats and the cause of diplomacy. When the Diplomatic Service Medal is conferred it is accompanied by a certificate describing the reason for the award of the medal.
Medal Conferral Categories
Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours – This category is deferred solely upon those holding the dignity of Ambassadorial or Ministerial rank, or by those who discharged the rank of Chargé d’Affaires. It appears with a silver oak leaf device attached to the ribbon to denote the special dignity for which the medal was awarded. The medal is accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Diplomatic Service Medal – The medal suspended from the ribbon is awarded to all other recipients of the medal accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Diplomatic Service Medal with Valour Device – If any recipient is presented with the award for having exhibited exceptional valour in diplomatic service for the betterment of humanity, or the safety of civilians, which merits the award of the Diplomatic Service Medal with Valour. In this instance, a ‘V’ device surrounded by a laurel wreath is attached to the ribbon to denote this rare and special distinction. The medal is accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Award Certificate
Diplomatic Service Award – Those whose contributions are deserving of recognition may be awarded the Diplomatic Service Award – Certificate of Recognition.
Conferral of Medals and Awards
Annual December Awards – The Diplomatic Service Medals and Awards are generally presented annually in December. However, the medal or award may be awarded at any time by a decision of the Editor and Awards Chairperson.
Comments from Editor-in-Chief Miceál O’Hurley
“Dr. Eslami and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s contribution to bilateral relations cannot be overlooked. Few people have helped accomplish so much on behalf of their nation in terms of bettering their bonds with Ireland. His affable smile and genuine warmness of character are only matched by his deep intellect and skills as a diplomat.” said O’Hurley. “At a difficult time in world affairs, when old relationships were strained, Dr. Eslami and the Islamic Republic of Iran forged a stronger bond with Ireland and it can only be to the benefit of the Irish and Iranian people, who both hold faith as a cente of their lives, family as vitally important and the preservation of culture and hopes for peace as a mutual ambition. Dr. Eslami is to be congratulated on being part of this renewed and beneficial relationship between Iran and Ireland,” concluded O’Hurley.
Comments from Awards Chairperson Oksana Shadrina
“If diplomacy is the art of building relationships, Dr. Eslami has proven himself a master” remarked Shadrina. “Moreover, he was able to continue the diplomacy he began early in his tenure throughout the pandemic and see its labours come to fruition when Ireland re-established a diplomatic presence in Tehran with a commitment to have an Embassy within 2-years. Dr. Eslami’s work is exemplar of what can be accomplished, even in difficult times, when the refined skills of diplomats are used to bring great nations closer together,” Shadrina said.
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For More Information Contact:
Miceál O’Hurley, Editor-in-Chief
Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat
Email: editor@diplomacyireland.eu
Telephone: (086) 107 0017 or (01) 254 4747
