It is a common misconception that a diplomatic office is considered as the territory of its home country. The actual territory upon which the premises are located is still part of the host state. The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dictates some special laws to protect embassies and consulates, however. According to the treaty, these diplomatic offices are inviolable – which means they cannot be entered without permission. The host state also has a special obligation to protect the mission to prevent damage, espionage, or disruption to its work.