Prince of Liechtenstein receives Ambassador Dario Item for the traditional accreditation ceremony
Alois Von und zu Liechtenstein welcomed five new ambassadors to the Palace of the Princely Family on 13 December 2018 for the presentation of their letters of credence: Evandro De Sampaio Didonet, Ambassador of Brazil, José A. Fábrega Roux, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, Dario Item, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, Ashot Smbatyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia and Willy Debuck, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
In a formal but not excessively solemn ceremony, Dario Item was welcomed into the rooms of the Royal Palace and announced, as usual, by the staff of the diplomatic ceremonial of the principality. The ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda handed over the letter of credentials to Prince Alois Von und zu Liechtenstein and took on the high responsibilities of serving the nation.
The Principality of Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small state in Central Europe, which extends between Austria and Switzerland and has an area of about 160 km². Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy currently led by Alois Von und zu Liechtenstein, who succeeded his father Hans-Adam II in 2004. Alois graduated in Law in 1993 and together with his father was one of the signatories of the Liechtenstein Constitution of 1990.
Political power in Liechtenstein is held by both the King and Parliament. The Liechtenstein Parliament, the Landtag, is composed of 25 representatives elected by citizens who have reached the age of majority. The Principality does not have its own army, because of the high costs, so the security of its borders is delegated, through bilateral agreements, to Switzerland.
Unlike many other constitutional monarchies, the Constitution of Liechtenstein, dating from 1921, gives strong powers to the Prince, who can then appoint judges and also personally the government. The Prince of Liechtenstein is the only European sovereign who also holds effective powers.
