If the only decisive argument during the election of diplomats is that a pro-Russian candidate goes to Russia, a pro-Serbian candidate to Serbia and a pro-Albanian candidate to Albania and the like, then the question arises as to which policy they will follow - the interests of Montenegro, the interests of the host country or their feelings towards the people and the host country .
This is what the professor of international relations at Boston University and the former ambassador of Montenegro told "Vijesta". Vesko Garcevic, commenting on the practice of, for example, sending a "pro-Serbian" ambassador to Serbia, a "pro-Russian" ambassador to Russia, and a "pro-Albanian" ambassador to Albania.
"Vijesti" recently announced that talks have begun between the parties in power about filling the diplomatic network from the political quota. Politically, 12 diplomats will be appointed, of which the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) and the Democratic People's Party (DNP) will propose four. The two parties agreed that the seats in Beijing, Athens and Belgrade would belong to the NSD, and the DNP in Moscow. The Europe Movement will now propose, among other things, an ambassador to the USA, and the Democrats to Slovenia. Two Albanian coalitions are reportedly interested in positions in Pristina and Tirana.
Critics accuse NSD and DNP of being pro-Russian and pro-Serbian, while those parties claim that Western ambassadors govern Montenegro.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not want to comment on the candidates for ambassadors until the "potential candidates" receive an agreement - the consent of the country to which Montenegro is sending them. "Names and destinations are a secret... The Ministry will not participate in labeling someone as pro-anything", unofficially told "Vijesta" from the MFA. Minister Filip Ivanovic he allegedly tells his interlocutors on that topic that the candidates for ambassadors from the "political quota" will not be "radical" at all, as was the impression created in the public, said an interlocutor familiar with those conversations.
Garčević said that this practice of sending ambassadors existed before, but that it seems to him that it has now become legal.
During the rule of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), the former Minister for Minority Rights Ferhat Dinoša was, for example, the ambassador of Montenegro in Albania, and he was also the first ambassador of Montenegro in Kosovo.
For the past two years, Montenegro has not had any diplomats appointed, and that should change soon, given that consultations between the government representatives and the president should take place today. Jakov Milatović about the appointment of the missing ambassadors.
"Vijesti" has learned that it is planned that Milatović will get acquainted with the proposed list of candidates for ambassador tomorrow, but that the consultations will not end then. One of the sources said that tomorrow, in addition to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanovic, the Prime Minister will also participate in the consultations with the Head of State. Milojko Spajic, as well as probably more people.
Program associate at the Center for Civic Education (CGO) Nikola Mirkovic told "Vijesti" that, benignly speaking, the choice of ambassador in accordance with the national and regional context makes sense in the context of easier adaptation to culture, language, and for the purpose of establishing better relations.
"However, this is not a good diplomatic practice, because it is through different deployments that it is ensured that party and private interests affect the public interest of the state's representation as little as possible. That is why it is the responsibility of the Government, as well as the President, to ensure that the formation of the diplomatic network is carefully implemented while avoiding any conflicts of interest," Mirković pointed out.
He emphasized that it is also the parties' responsibility to ensure that their staffing is at a high level, in terms of credibility and quality, and that their work is not subordinated to party interests: "But I believe that no one in Montenegro expects that expression of responsibility from political parties".
The Law on Foreign Affairs allows thirty percent of ambassadors to be non-career diplomats. So far, representatives of political parties have often been appointed to these positions.
Mirković emphasized that Montenegro has had a broken diplomatic network for too long, and that 75 percent of ambassadorial positions are vacant, including some important positions at the most important international organizations, such as NATO:
"In addition, it should be borne in mind that we are not a large country that has the capacity to develop a branched diplomatic network. So, out of what is a realistic minimum, 75 percent is dysfunctional at a serious level, that is, we as a country are disappearing from the diplomatic radar".
He reminds that this has been going on since the period of the 42nd Government Zdravka Krivokapića, by suddenly withdrawing ambassadors without previously established mechanisms for their replacement, then by rejecting the president of the state Milo Đukanović to sign some of the dismissals and appointments, but also by refusing some ambassadors to leave their positions. This, as he states, has pretty much damaged the country's diplomatic reputation, because the internal turbulence was transferred to where it did not belong.
Mirković emphasized that it is the 44th Government's responsibility to repair the damage to the extent possible, and that, among other things, implies the establishment of a clear, reputable and high-quality diplomatic network.
He pointed out that according to the Rulebook on the Internal Organization and Systematization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published by the Government, Montenegro will have 30 embassies, six missions and four consular representations in which, according to the political key, a third of the ambassadors will be appointed from political parties, while the rest will diplomatic representatives should be career diplomats.
"So, part of the ambassador's posts is also part of the spoils, according to the so-called depth, which the parliamentary majority shares. As we can hear some announcements and wishes of members of the parliamentary majority, the parties from the coalition For the Future of Montenegro should receive four ambassadorial positions, the Democrats one and the coalition of Albanian parties two," Mirković said.
He emphasized that according to the current situation, in which they are outside the executive power, it is evident that the parties of the ZBCG coalition are getting the most positions.
"Nevertheless, taking into account that a faster reconstruction of the Government has been announced, in which they will also become part of the executive power, their position would be quite strong", emphasized Mirković.
According to the document on the situation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seven of the 30 embassies have ambassadors, and four of the six permanent missions to international organizations have heads.
Garčević emphasized that the Vienna Convention gives countries the right to choose who will represent them abroad, with the consent of the host country, but the profile of the candidate speaks about the country that sends him.
"It is necessary for a diplomat to know the host country well, its history, political system, and preferably to speak the language of the host country. However, the most important thing is to be a professional and implement the policy of his country and not to follow the interests of the host country", said Garčević.
He said that one such example from history, for example, was the appointment of the first American ambassador to the USSR in 1933. George Kenan, who was an excellent connoisseur of Russian history and culture, spoke Russian, but was a professional and was ideologically on the opposite side of the USSR.
Nikola Mirković assessed that much of what is practiced in our country is not characteristic of well-ordered states, nor is the way of staffing in diplomacy.
"It remains to be hoped that Montenegro, in addition to the third of ambassadors chosen by the parties, will take care during the selection of career diplomats to ensure that they are really those who deserve it based on their educational references, experience, credibility and diplomatic skills, because everything else would be wrong and caused damage", said Mirković.
He notes that this includes checking the way career diplomats are promoted, stating that they can only be promoted extraordinary once in their career, "which means that any additional promotions of such diplomats also put them in a position to suspect that they are party players of a certain structure."
"Such things are taken into account in diplomacy and those who climb the stairs with their work and knowledge are valued, not those who jump over them with the help of others. "Montenegro has had exceptional diplomats in its missions in the past, and the diplomatic culture in Montenegro traditionally exists, and above all, it is the responsibility of the Head of Diplomacy and the Government as proponents to justify it, improve it and repair the damage caused in the previous period," Mirković pointed out. .
The diplomatic network is a powerful political weapon
Mirković said that it is logical for parties to aspire to ambassadorial positions in countries of political vital importance to them. According to him, the diplomatic network is a powerful political weapon made up of contacts, influence, and information, and it is not surprising that parties want certain centers as their strongholds.
"Accordingly, the wishes of the likes of Belgrade, Moscow, Beijing and Athens outline a clear line of interest of the parties around ZBCG, which would make a real small strong diplomatic network, with a clear political profile. On the other hand, as expected, the Albanian Forum and the Albanian Alliance are targeting Pristina and Tirana," said Mirković.
Montenegrin interests cannot be part of party agreements
"Even more significant is the question of what criteria are used to select candidates and whether 'professional representation of Montenegrin interests' was a key factor during the election. Finally, this brings us to the question of how Montenegrin interests are defined and whether they are defined in a serious way at all", Garčević assessed.
Montenegrin interests cannot be part of party agreements and coalition calculations, said Garčević.
"Honestly, except for the popular story about EU membership, I don't know exactly what our regional interests are, what is our attitude towards NATO allies, what is our attitude towards China and the like. If there are no defined interests, then everything is allowed and it is a product of the importation of individuals", Garčević pointed out.
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