In Bitola`s history (the second half of the XIX th century) an important role is played by the period marked by the presence of the diplomat agencies or popularly called the Consular Age.

In the official report of the British consular agencies of the Ottoman Empire in the Foreign office, it stands that the British consular representative in Manastir (Bitola) from 28 October 1851 was John August Longworth, actually he was the first consul of a foreign country in Bitola.

Austria, along with Great Britain are among the first countries that opened their consulates in 1851 in Bitola. The first Austro-Hungarian diplomatic representative since 1868 in Bitola was Fridrich Riter Mare.

The French diplomatic agency in Bitola was opened in 1854. The diplomatic representative acting as a vice-consul was Florat and in the following year that duty was performed by Belan. In 1856 the French consulate was managed by the vice-consul Belag de Buga.

Among the countries, which show a great interest in establishing diplomatic agencies in Macedonia, was also the Greek government. While the great European countries do this because of economic, political and strategic interests, Greece aimed to accomplish its so desired "megali idea" that is widening its territory towards Macedonia and converting the entire population into Greeks. According to that it was very logical to expect that Greece, as the only indepent country on the Balkan, to express its interest for opening diplomatic agencies of their own in the Ottoman State.

The Russian influence on the Balkan Peninsula always was one of the priority goal of its Ministry of Foreign Affair. This influence continuously grows particular in the second half of the 19 the century. colliding with the interests of similar aspirations and aim of Austro-Hungary. It is for this reason that their interest collided in this region with the similar ones of Austro-Hungary.

The aspirations of the neighboring Balkans countries cross in their desires of conquering Macedonia, completely or partially. The Serbian state begins the realization of its conquering aspirations, with their nationalistic propaganda, but a special role in this is played by their diplomatic agencies that were opened in Macedonia.

Italy, in the 70`s of the 19th century, fought its own battles and had a its own problems for its uniting. It is for that reason, that it had no firm attitude and own strategy towards the Eastern issue, actualy towards the Balkan and Macedonia.

The main and fundamental goal of the Romanian propaganda was to win over the Vlah population, actually to tear then away from patriarch and Greek influence.

According to the resolution of the Berlin Congress (1878), and a few month latter San Stefan peace treaty, the Bulgarian Autonomous Principality was established, thus Bulgarian state has no right to open its own diplomatic agencies until 1908. So, those rights and responsibilities were transferred to the trade agencies until 1908.