Good morning! The 8-day visit of Prime Minister Spajic and his numerous delegation to the United States pointed out chronic shortcomings of the Montenegrin diplomatic system, leaving the survival of Montenegro to pure chance. A nonchalant and spontaneous approach to state protocol, establishing and strengthening ties and moving diplomatic communication to private channels and relations is the fastest way to disaster, and a 7- or 8-day stay of the head of the country’s executive power in the most important ally can easily be considered a disaster.
On the state of play in Montenegrin diplomacy
Prime Minister Spajic was in Washington for the annual meeting of international financial institutions. He had some protocol meetings, and was accompanied by almost the entire state financial system. Still, eight days is a long time for something like that. It’s a lot even for the annual UN assembly and not the World Bank and the IFC.
However, apart from the news about the meeting with representatives of the diaspora – where the agreement with the UAE was promoted – there was no announcement in the media or social media about the meeting with representatives of the American political elite. There were no meetings with representatives of Congress and the Senate, nor with anyone from executive power, nor in the US Department of State, nor with representatives of other secretariats or agencies.
In February and April, Jovo Martinovic wrote for Monitor two extremely detailed and analytical articles on the state of diplomacy. One was written earlier this year and concerns only America, while the other provides insight into internal relations within the coalition, frictions and alleged instructions from Spajic not to make too many changes in the current geopolitical circumstances.
Having in mind the Prime Minister’s sympathies towards the administration of President Trump he himself demonstrated countless times on social media, and having in mind they were noticed by high-ranking officials such as Richard Grenell, it’s extremely counterintuitive that the Prime Minister failed to meet this time with a prominent representative of the political majority in Washington, as it would be extremely important for Montenegro at this moment.
Instead, PM Spajic used the visit to travel from Washington to California, most likely for private reasons. It’s only 3.800 km away, like you go for a run from Podgorica to Kabul.
I don’t want to speak ill of PM Spajic, I still believe he can be a part of the solution for Montenegro, but it’s high time he gets serious. While he nonchalantly and spontaneously deals with the reality, Andrija Mandic works seriously and thoroughly on his agenda. Just see his visit to Spain. Mandic has the logistics of Serbia and half of Montenegro backing him, that’s certainly a big advantage. And a handicap for the PM. But he himself was responsible for it, and was left at the mercy of the coalition partners who are only hoarding resources, while Spajić’s support is becoming thinner irreversibly.
The system is fragile. The state of diplomacy is just a piece of evidence in a series confirming this thesis. While the line between party and state was blurred, one of the effects was greater efficiency and professionalism. I am not advocating a return to that state, but it seems to me that this new pluralism is just a gray transitional phase that will lead to a new capture of institutions, which won’t be as benevolent as it was with the DPS. PES will have to find a way to prepare for a conflict with the DF, because the trap of Thucydides teaches us this conflict is inevitable.
That’s all for today. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Kind regards,
Ljubomir Filipovic, CdM observer and columnist
(The opinions and views of our columnists don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the CdM news team)
