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Address by H.E. Milan Roćen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro at the Official Opening of Montenegro Summer School for Young Diplomats 'Gavro Vuković'
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03_06_2008.jpgLadies and gentlemen,

In late July last year, at a scientific convention dedicated to 155th anniversary of the birth of Duke Gavro Vuković, the originator of Montenegrin diplomacy and a long-standing Minister of foreign affairs of the Princedom of Montenegro, held here at his birth home, I announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the UNDP office in Montenegro would design a summer school to be named after Gavro Vuković, intended for young diplomats from Southeast European countries. Today I have the honour, together with the head of the UNDP office, Mr Tankosić-Kelly, and the mayor of Berane, Mr Vuka Golubović, to officially open the school.
On the occasion of my recent visit to Turkey, following successful discussions I had in Ankara, my host the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babajan, told me - if today Duke Gavro Vuković were alive, I believe he would be pleased. I am positive he would be very pleased with the excellent relations Montenegro has with its closest neighbours, as well as with Turkey and other states in the region, with other European countries and the leading world centres. I hope he would also be pleased with how his state is cherishing the memory of him as a person and as a high-ranking official, for whose activities in this capacity Montenegro is permanently indebted. I was granted the honour of occupying the responsible post of the head of Montenegrin diplomacy in the first Government after Montenegro has for the second time, after almost a century, become an internationally recognised state again. Just as it is an honour for me, occupying the post Duke Gavro Vuković did for full fifteen years, when Montenegro became internationally recognised state for the first time, was the initiator of the idea for setting up the Montenegro Diplomatic Summer School 'Gavro Vuković', and for having passed the decision to establish the scholarship of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bearing his name, for three best graduates of the faculties of Law, Economy and Political Science.

Duke Gavro Vuković left us a legacy of his grandiose memoirs covering one of the most tumultuous periods in Montenegrin history, which is an indispensable manual for all Montenegrin diplomats, of today and of tomorrow. There is almost no page in this book without at least one timeless message and moral of this great man in Montenegrin history. 'The worst thing that can befall a small state is its one-sided diplomacy which would be blind for its pragmatic goals and which would be led by political, ethnic or confessional romanticism." Or: "One should not be enslaved by once established relations between states... they must be assessed, maintained, appraised, reconsidered or modified according to the actual circumstances, and not the historical sentiments, myths, or illusions of any kind'. I had previous opportunities to recall those quotes, but I deem this a proper occasion to reiterate them before our esteemed guests, attendees of the school we officially open today and your Excellencies, the representatives of numerous amicable states accredited in Montenegro.

As early as in 1879 Duke Gavro Vuković attended the opening of the first diplomatic mission in Montenegrin history, the one in Constantinople. It was the only Embassy of both the Princedom and the Kingdom of Montenegro at the time, active in peace times, until the beginning of Balkan Wars and the World War.

Today Montenegro may be proud of the achievements of its diplomacy, constantly growing both in scope and professionalism. Over a quite brief period of time we opened 19 embassies, 6 missions - with EU and key international organisations, 2 consulates general, and 12 more countries are covered on non-resident basis. Montenegrin interests are today represented also by 7 honorary consuls. Montenegro was recognised by 109 states, and diplomatic relations have been established with 92 among them. The diplomatic corps within Montenegro is also expanding. There are embassies of 20 countries and the European Commission delegation in Podgorica, as well as permanent representative offices of 9 international organisations, specialised agencies and international financial institutions. Montenegro is also covered by 42 countries on non-resident basis.

Montenegro is an example of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural harmony in the region, surrounded by friends it cooperates with in intensifying bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and with which it shares the same vision of European and Euro-Atlantic integrations. These are our key foreign policy priorities established as such by the first Government of the new independent Montenegro. It is with great pleasure that I can confirm that the doors of Montenegro are wide open, both with our neighbours and in European and key countries worldwide. Today Montenegro is recognised as contributing to peace and stability and constitutes a bright example of European policy in the region. It is also acknowledged as a partner and a friend, both due to its internal political stability and its dynamic economic development.

The first Montenegro Diplomatic Summer School 'Gavro Vuković' focuses on challenges for diplomats, primarily of the countries in the region, and offers a good opportunity to exchange opinions and share ideas on the current processes within EU and NATO in the light of their enlargement. At the same time, this event is an excellent opportunity for young diplomats of the region and their colleagues from the EU member states to get to know each other and establish contacts. It is focused on contemporary tendencies in diplomacy and modes of professional development for modern diplomats, so essential for any country. I hope this year summer school will be a beginning of a long tradition and that our young diplomats will get together each year to spend time together and learn from each other in this pleasant environment. We also hope they will extend the range of countries expressing their interest for sending diplomats to this school. For a start, we are more than pleased. We have here the attendees from the ministries of foreign affairs of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania, and, of course, Montenegro. Three EU member states sent their diplomats as well - Italy, Slovenia and Estonia. The total number of registered participants and experienced diplomats and other eminent lecturers from Montenegro and abroad is fourty.

I expect that the lectures and interactive discussions over the following days will enhance your knowledge and skills and contribute to professional development of your diplomatic abilities. I hope you will also be able to get to know Montenegro better, in particular the wonderful area of Berane, and the whole northern region which, apart from exceptional natural beauties and major development opportunities, is also well known for its hospitality.

And finally, I wish to express my gratitude to our partners from the United Nations Development Programme and the Municipality of Berane who made the project of Montenegro Diplomatic Summer School possible.

Thank you for your attention!


Berane, June 3, 2008