Montenegrin Diplomacy Day
150 Years of Statehood, Credibility, and European Path
Marking the Day of Montenegrin Diplomacy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović affirmed that a civic and European Montenegro has no alternative, while the ceremony in Podgorica once again underscored the state’s historical depth, international credibility, and European orientation.
Montenegro marked 6th May – the Day of Montenegrin Diplomacy – with a ceremonial reception in Podgorica, bringing together representatives of the state leadership, the diplomatic corps, former officials, and international partners in a spirit of shared remembrance of the country’s rich diplomatic heritage and its contemporary foreign-policy priorities.
The host of the event was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, who, in his address, recalled that Montenegrin diplomacy draws on a tradition spanning more than a century and a half – dating back to the establishment of the Princely Chancellery for Foreign Affairs in 1874.
Emphasising the continuity of the idea of statehood, Ibrahimović underscored that Montenegrin diplomacy has never been merely an administrative mechanism but an expression of the aspiration for freedom, equality, and the right to self-determination.
“From Gavro Vuković to the contemporary generations of our diplomats, the same idea has endured – that Montenegro, regardless of its size, pursues a policy grounded in freedom, dignity, dialogue, and equality among nations,” the Minister stated.
Particular emphasis was placed on the state’s European and Euro-Atlantic path. Ibrahimović assessed that the receipt of the IBAR and the commencement of work on the Accession Treaty constitute irreversible steps towards membership of the European Union, while the visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte further confirmed Montenegro’s position as a reliable ally within the Alliance.
International partnerships and friendships were an important theme of the evening, as reflected in a video message from the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, who recalled Iceland’s historic support for the restoration of Montenegrin independence and its accession to NATO.
The focus of the event was the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to whom Ibrahimović paid tribute for their professionalism and dedication, emphasising that it is precisely their work that forms the foundation of Montenegro’s international reputation.
As part of the programme, a documentary on the development of the Montenegrin diplomatic service was screened, featuring archival materials and testimonies that evoked key moments in the state’s diplomatic history – from its earliest institutional steps to its contemporary international achievements.
One of the evening’s most powerful messages concerned the value framework of contemporary Montenegro. Ibrahimović emphasised that anti-fascism, inter-ethnic harmony, and the rule of law are integral to the state’s identity, underscoring that “whoever abandons a civic and European Montenegro abandons its very essence.”
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic linking of generations – with gratitude extended to retired diplomats and a welcome extended to young cadres who, in the years to come, will represent Montenegro, both in the European diplomatic space and throughout the world, advocating its interests and contributing to the development of bilateral and multilateral relations and cooperation.