Wiktionary
n. A usually symbolic formal meeting in which a diplomat or representative of a state pays a visit out of courtesy to a head of state or state office holder.
Wikipedia
In diplomacy, a courtesy call is a formal meeting in which a diplomat or representative or a famous person of a nation pays a visit out of courtesy to a head of state or state office holder. Courtesy calls may be paid by another head of state, a prime minister, a minister (Government), or a diplomat. The meeting is usually of symbolic value and rarely involves a detailed discussion of issues.
At the start of the New Year, the diplomatic corps usually pays a collective courtesy call on a head of state to deliver their state's new year's greeting to the head of state. In some instances speeches may be delivered, often by the head of state, in which their state's diplomatic policies for the forthcoming year may be outlined. The ambassadors then report on that speech to their own heads of state and government.
At the most formal level, an ambassador paying courtesy calls on a head of state may be required to wear diplomatic uniform, state national dress, morning suit or white tie.
Formal courtesy calls on a head of state usually take place in a presidential or royal palace.
Category:State ritual and ceremonies
Usage examples of "courtesy call".
Yet you have not even paid me a courtesy call, nor sent flowers on the morning of Festival!
As to precisely why he wants to see you, all he's actually told the Lieutenant is that he'd like to pay a courtesy call on you.
Maam, I dont believe for a minute that this is a simple courtesy call.
He paid me a courtesy call, saying marriage-kin should know one another.
It was ostensibly a courtesy call, allowing Greene to visit the captain of the Spacedep cruiser which was passing through Doonan space for the purpose of asking her to join him at the negotiations.
I will pay you a courtesy call tonight or tomorrow, if you would be so gracious as to receive me.