Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In order to clarify the public, I wish to envisage few facts, regarding statements of certain MPs, ex ambassadors, some carrier, but also some who “strayed” to diplomacy.

Regardless of negative connotations which are recently being carried by non-paper documents, they present a regular way of communication in diplomacy, which respected carrier ambassadors know, although activated for “needs of the service”, while teaching this those who “strayed” isn’t even worth it.

Since, non-paper as a way of communication, by witch the elements of interior and foreign policy are explained, is not controversial, we can only talk about its contents.

I repeat, nothing was hidden, falsely stated, nor unconfirmed by international partners in this non-paper document.

While respected MPs and ambassadors are being astonished over factual content of this non-paper, speaking of downgraded diplomacy, let’s remember other non-papers, which, in the moments of greatest Montenegrin schism, were being sent to our embassies, to present all of those who opposed them as enemies of the state.

Former diplomacy’s script which was made in service to the ruling party, which evidence MFA has even now, could serve as material for the “believe it or not” section.

That’s how events in Budva were described by former Government, in order to justify topping down local governance before international public, at the same time pointing at the role of the police during riots. More striking example of former Montenegrin diplomacy, in service of the party, is a fact that journalist Darko Šuković’s text named “Is Dritan a četnik? No, but it doesn’t matter” and text from” Pobjeda” named “How to forcefully plant Serbian world in Montenegro”, were sent as instructions to ambassadors to use them in communication with the diplomatic corps in the countries of reception. To present journalist papers as Government statements, even if they are examples of most advanced investigative journalism, has never happened in diplomatic practice. That’s how former government made a precedent unheard of in diplomacy.

Those non-papers contained much more than factuality. They were court and “strayed” ambassadors astonished back then as well, or were they acting unconditionally in accordance to instructions given by the party? Imagine that level of professional diplomacy in which journalist papers become official diplomatic instructions. MPs and ambassadors didn’t have conscientious objection back then, nor did they present public interpretations. Truly professional indeed.

We possess every non-paper from that period. Still we will not publish official documents, because it is illegal and against the professional ethics. We invite you to remember the contents, and if you really insist, we will do it for you, in fragments at least, although it could certainly go on in sequels. In that case, ambassadors and party stormtroopers won’t be the ones who act disgusted, those will be citizens instead. So, as you please.

There is a great number of similar instructions, which contained political qualifications and assessments, in which one part of our citizens, by whom these same diplomats were financed, were presented as enemies of the state before international partners.

In the end, it is in vain to answer all Mr. Nikolić’s questions, but one should certainly be answered – interpellation is certainly not a problem, because unlike You, who are power and privileges hungry, I entered this with ideals and belief that it is possible to build a better, more righteous, civil, reconciled and European Montenegro. I will invest my full professional and human capacity to maintain on this path, and you gentlemen can continue to be disgusted by everything that isn’t in interests of your party. You keep forgetting that this is about the interest of Montenegro and its citizens.