Interview with H.E. Mr. Bariş Kalkavan Ambassador of Türkiye to Montenegro
Our interlocutor, H.E. Mr. Bariş Kalkavan, Ambassador of Türkiye to Montenegro, explores the multifaceted relationship between the two nations. From their historical ties and Türkiye’s role in Montenegro’s NATO integration to expanding economic and cultural cooperation, Ambassador Kalkavan highlights key milestones and opportunities for strengthening this dynamic partnership. He offers insights into the growing Turkish investments in Montenegro and the shared commitment to fostering prosperity and mutual understanding.
After the Berlin Congress (1878), Montenegro established diplomatic relations with eleven European countries. Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Montenegro were established in 1879. How do you assess the current diplomatic relations between official Ankara and Podgorica?
The Ottoman Empire was the first state to recognize the Kingdom of Montenegro, which gained its independence for the first time with the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. Following the establishment of diplomatic relations, the first Ottoman Ambassador started his duty in 1879 in the royal capital of Cetinje, and the relations between the two countries continued uninterruptedly until 1912, when the Balkan Wars started.
Immediately after the referendum in 2006, when Montenegro became independent for the second time in history, Türkiye recognized Montenegro on 12 June 2006 among the first countries to do so and diplomatic relations between the two countries were reestablished on 3 July 2006.
Attaching great importance to the peace and stability of the Balkans, Montenegro is an important ally of Türkiye as a pillar of peace and stability in the region. Türkiye supports the efforts of Montenegro, whose primary foreign policy objective is integration with the European Union and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Moreover, in close cooperation with Türkiye, Montenegro shows solidarity with our country in regional and international platforms. We actively promoted Montenegro’s NATO membership as the forefront supporter until membership was granted in 2017.
High level visits and contacts between the two countries continue intensively and successfully. We are working on the visits of the President of Montenegro Mr. Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Mr. Milojko Spajić to Türkiye in the upcoming period.
We have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations. We are discussing a wide range of cooperation opportunities, from trade and education to tourism, agriculture and health. Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center also contribute to our activities.
As a result of the efforts of our Education Counselor’s Office together with Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, TIKA, Turkish language has been included in the curriculum of public schools in Montenegro as an elective foreign language at all levels as of the current academic year. We continue our efforts to ensure that Turkish language is preferred by as many students as possible.
Türkiye-Montenegro Alumni Association (MASAT) started its activities in 2018. The number of Turkish alumni in Montenegro is approximately 600. The Association carries out Türkiye Scholarships promotion programs, establishes connections between Turkish business people and graduates coming to Montenegro, and helps our Montenegrin graduates not to be unemployed and to meet the personnel needs of Turkish business people in Montenegro. Turkish Airlines and Ziraat Bank are two flag important companies operating in Montenegro. Likewise, the Trade Counselor’s Office, Education Counselor’s Office and Religious Services Counselor’s Office, which operate under our Embassy, have been continuing their activities for a long time.
Finally, to fulfill our cooperation potential perfectly in the field of military and defense, our first resident Military Attaché became operational in September.
The “TurkCham Montenegro” is an independent non-profit organization established in 2023 by the leading companies of Montenegro and Türkiye. What is the goal of this organization and what are its most important activities?
Turkish Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro (TurkCham) was established in June 2023 to boost economic cooperation in all sectors. Education, health, agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure are TurkCham’s priority areas of cooperation. TurkCham, which was established to develop our activities in these areas, constitutes a very important stage in terms of our business relations in Montenegro. TurkCham was founded by largest companies from Türkiye and Montenegro. The membership requirements are quite strict.
Although we have witnessed a slowing trend in FDI in Montenegro, Turkish investments have been increasing and now we rank third in terms of FDI to Montenegro. A subsidiary of a public Turkish commercial bank, Ziraat Bank Montenegro has been successfully operating since 2015. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (PKCG) and other Montenegrin institutions for their enormous support and cooperation with the Turkish companies and institutions, especially during the establishment of TurkCham from the very beginning.
TurkCham has so far signed memorandum of cooperation with Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (PKCG), Montenegrin Association of Employers (CUP) and Montenegrin Foreign Investors Council.
TurkCham’s activities are supported by the Montenegrin authorities, whether at the level of the Government or local authorities, and events organized by the Chamber are attended at a high level.
The Association of Turkish Business People of Montenegro (KTID), an NGO founded by Turkish business people in 2018, is also an umbrella association of small and medium-sized enterprises. KTID is a member of TurkCham as an association.
Burhan Genc, Vice president of “TurkCham Montenegro”, announced that the volume of bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and Montenegro exceeded 200 million euros. What are the further plans for Turkish investments in Montenegro, especially when it comes to education and healthcare?
Montenegro has been an integral part of the global economic system. Current political and economic conditions in the country are suitable. The country offers favorable tax rates. With the Europe Now economic program, citizens’ purchasing power has increased. Legislation is getting more and more compliant with EU acquis.
Over 10 thousand registered Turkish companies in Montenegro are operating mainly in service sector, namely construction, energy and mining, real estate, tourism, furniture, consultancy.
Nevertheless, Turkish companies are more and more interested in expanding to health, agriculture, education, IT, renewable energy sectors.
Türkiye has ranked third in foreign direct investments last year with additional 85 million Euros. As of May this year, we are in the third place in foreign direct investments with 30 million Euros. Turkish companies which has proved themselves in various transport infrastructure projects throughout Southeast Europe are ready to take part in future highway and railway construction projects in Montenegro.
All of the mentioned commercial initiatives demonstrate the strong belief and trust in Turkish business people in Montenegro and her future.
Having said that, we are aware of the shortcomings in the system. Montenegro is certainly not a rose without thorns. I am confident that the strength of our political dialogue and closeness of our peoples will enable us to overcome any kind of challenges ahead. We will work hand in hand with Montenegrin government and private sector to overcome the challenges.