There is always a way for good things to happen

A three-day training programme for Montenegrin diplomats and civil servants, organised in cooperation between diplomatic academies of the ministries of foreign affairs of Montenegro and the Republic of Turkey, held online in period from 10-12 November 2020, gathered 30 diplomats and representatives from other Montenegrin government institutions.  

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, participants were welcomed by Ambassador Mirsad Bibović, who noted that this initiative is another confirmation of friendly ties and intensive cooperation between the two countries. Friendly relations and the intensity of cooperation are witnessed by numerous agreements and initiatives on the bilateral and multilateral agenda, which is reaffirmed with the fact that not only colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Montenegro in Ankara joined to online discussion, but also colleagues engaged in international cooperation from numerous government’s institutions of Montenegro, pointed out Periša Kastartović, Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Turkey.

Two countries have a long history of diplomatic relations. One of  Montenegro’s first diplomatic missions after the Berlin Congress was right in Constantinople at the time, and the Republic of Turkey was one of the first countries to establish bilateral relations after the restoration of Montenegrin independence in 2006. At the opening ceremony Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Beste Pehlivan Sun, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two diplomatic academies dating back in 2008, and specifically with a project of this kind  being organised for the first time.

Over the course of three days diplomats and civil servants from Montenegro had an opportunity to get a closer view to global security and international terrorism issues, as well as discussing current developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s relations with the European Union. Specific emphasis were put on energy diplomacy, negotiation and conflict resolution, role of media in contemporary diplomacy, as well as diplomatic skills required for having effective public diplomacy. It was an opportunity to hear firsthand information on these important topics from representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish Agency for International Cooperation and Coordination (TIKA) and representatives of the Turkish academic community.

In times of global challenges and crises, international cooperation is reaffirmed, and programmes that encourage cooperation and build trust are prerequisites for strengthening security, stability and prosperity. Despite the current global health crisis that prevented onsite gathering, initiatives likes this one shows that there is always a way for good things to happen.