Институционализация дипломатической службы европейских государств на рубеже средневековья и раннего нового времени (Теоретико-методологический аспект)

The article deals with the analysis of the main directions of foreign policy of the European states in the historical retrospective: from the early Modern time till contemporary diplomatic practice of the XXIst century. The particular attention is given to the theory and practice of the diplomacy, to the institutional development, achievements, problems and prospects of diplomatic services of the European states, as well as to the peculiarities of the today’s diplomatic instruments and models.The professional demands to the diplomats and government employees, who are engaged in the foreign policy in the context of particular historical period of their activities and continuity of diplomatic practice, are analyzed.