One more question: At which point do I have to issue orders and what are things that simply happen without?
An example are the exchanges of ambassadors I'm proposing to everyone. If I need an order for ever delegation, it'll be 1862 before I can do anything else. :-)
I would say (although have no say in the matter) that ambassador exchanges or diplomat exchanges don't need any orders. But other official actions would. Someone more experienced should correct me though.