IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON DIPLOMACY

OF SMALL COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO THE

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Pre-announcement
DOI:10.5570/dfnd.en.1333.06 COBISS.BH-ID 3541528 UDK 339.9.012:316.32

Nevenko Vranješ1
Dejan Zeljić2

Abstract:

Diplomacy as the most common and widely accepted form of international rela-
tions is not immune to global changes that are taking place in all areas of social life. The
development of communication technology, in many ways, has significantly contributed
to more intensive and effective diplomatic action, as has the division of the world into
Eastern and Western Bloc at the end of the era. Small countries with poor international
influence mostly have diplomatic network, which is based on the principles thirty years
old or more, unable to respond to the demands of the modern era. It is for this reason that
it is necessary that small countries change their approach to diplomatic action, seize to
be based only on political diplomacy, and in particular to reorganize and modernize the
network of diplomatic and consular missions. The activities of the ministries in the gov-
ernment are also very important, and not just specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
but also other ministries within their jurisdiction. It is believed that only through interna-
tional relations, small countries can achieve a better position and prosperity of not only
the state but also its people.
Key words: diplomacy, small countries, governments, embassies and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs.

1
Correspondence to: Assistant Professor Nevenko Vranješ, Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
email: nvranjes@blic.net.
2
Correspodence to: M.Sc. Dejan Zeljić, High School “Primus“ Gradiška, email: primus.dejan@gmail.com.

68
 INTRODUCTION

Although frequently used, the term globalization does not have a clear and pre-
cise definition. True, there are definitions which are more or less general, abstract or
concrete, influential or less influential, but there is no single acknowledged definition of
the issue.
According to the definition of International Forum on Globalization, globalization
is a process of denationalization of markets, politics and legal system at the highest
political and economic level.
It is interesting to point out some of the opinions of world-renowned theorists of
globalization. Thus, according to Martin Albrow, globalization means all the processes by
which people all over the world are incorporated into a single world society or global
society. Thomas Friedman sees globalization as an unstoppable integration of markets,
nation states, and technologies to an unprecedented degree, thus enabling individuals,
corporations and nation-states to expand their activities through the world, faster, deeper
and cheaper than ever before. According to Stephen Bell, globalization is associated with
the crisis of the territorial nation state, because the nation state is too small to solve the
big problems of life and too big to solve small problems of life. Finally, we should men-
tion the inevitable economic component of globalization as Rosebeth Moss Kanter points
out, the globalization of the world has become a global supermarket in which ideas and
products have become available everywhere and at the same time.
Globalization is generally understood as a ‘’consequence of modernity’’ ‘’a
western modernization project’’, ‘’a global human condition’’ (Robertson, 1992, p. 26). The
effects of governing and spreading of globalization processes in everyday life are strong,
especially in developed countries; globalization is also creating new transnational system of
power and reshaping the institutions of our society (Giddens, 1998, p. 33). Those nations
which believe that they achieved their national dream in the past decade (with their own
country), are now operating in modern globalized space and time according to how much
they accept the values of a globalized society and its measures of success of the transition
movement (Ibraković, 2003, p. 5).
Diplomacy is a term with many meanings. The origin of the term comes from the
Greek word “diploma” which means a formal letter, memorandum, or document folded
in two as a sovereign act, which one party (the state) would hand over to the second and
then the second to the first one after the completion of job negotiations, i.e. agreement. It
is believed that the concept of diplomacy was first used by the French Cardinal Richelieu
who was from 1624 to 1642 the Prime Minister and the real ruler of France. In the most
general sense, in national speech, diplomacy is an ability, a skill and a craftsmanship in
running a business. No other possible meaning can be determined without linking it to the
concept of “foreign policy” undertaken by the state as a subject of international relations
and international law. Therefore, it was often said that diplomacy is a foreign policy tool
of the state (Mitić, 2003, p. 3).
Foreign policy is of great importance for the state and therefore foreign policy of
the state is always under the jurisdiction of its supreme authority. In the area of foreign
policy, core competencies in most cases belong to the executive and legislative branches,
and only in contentious situations to the court. According to foreign policy, the function
of representation of the state both at home and abroad belongs to the Head of State wheth-
69
er he is the president of the republic, the collective presidency or the monarch (Kuzmanović,
2006, p. 449). Operational management of foreign affairs is entrusted to the executive au-
thorities (governments), acting through special bodies whose task is to maintain diplomatic
relations with other countries and the implementation of international political action.
Foreign affairs are the determinants of sovereign states. In our area, in addition to
the term of foreign affairs, there is also the term of external affairs. External affairs refer to
state authoritative appearance, based on international law and within its limits, regulated b y
national law by the authorities designated by national law towards other countries,
international organizations and, in some cases, foreign citizens in order to protect the rights
and constitutionally defined state interests and the rights and interests of nationals and legal
persons (Đurić, 2007, p. 19).
Diversity between countries in today’s world map is great, starting from size,
economic development and the state system, the rule of law and respect for fundamental
human rights, up to military power and the influence on the countries in the region. The
position of the state in international relations is determined precisely by this difference in
strength, power and influence.
Rivalry between large and influential states in international relations, and not
just states, but rivalry between interest blocs of some countries as well is the only possible
choice, but also a chance for the functioning of foreign policy and diplomacy of small
states. In this way, these small states are able to achieve some of the goals that they are
unable to reach because of their international powerlessness. At the same time, great pow-
ers use the situation in small states and their dependent position on the global stage of
international relations with the purpose of an easier and more efficient manipulation of
these same countries and all that, of course, for their own sake and goals. This is the trump
card with which small states are trying or managing to recoup its foreign policy power-
lessness. This is something that great powers count on which enables them to manipulate
smaller states.
Based on the aforementioned, it can be concluded that small and medium-sized
states can only unquestioningly obey orders of great powers and centers of international
relations. It is understandable that, given its political, military and economic power, they
cannot resist to the processes of globalization, which affect the whole world and create
relationships of complex interaction between countries. Based on past experiences, it can
be concluded that small and medium-sized countries need to deploy a very pragmatic
policy, based on a well-thought-out national interests (Berridge, 2007).
So, instead of standing in the foreground as fighters against globalization, and by that
on the margins of processes which determine the economic development of these
countries, improvement of living conditions and living standards of its citizens, as opposed
to the risk of being sanctioned, it is suggested that small and medium-sized countries should
have a good, thoughtful policy based on national, economic, political and military interests
and find their proper place in globalization processes. Small countries, with their comparative
advantages and opportunities, should benefit from the positive aspects of globalization as
much as they can, take advantage of globalization opportunities for a rapid, economic and
other form of development.

70
 GLOBAL DIPLOMACY

It can be said that modern diplomacy has gone through many stages of recon-
struction, which were caused by developments at the global level. Contemporary diplo-
macy is characterized by a tremendous increase in international entities involved in inter-
national relations, which indicates that there is an increase in international contacts, and
thus there is also a need to increase the capacity of the diplomatic services of modern
states, especially those states that have very little or no influence in international relations.
Increasing the capacity of diplomatic services around the world is related to increasing
diplomats and diplomatic missions that are responsible for the conduct of diplomacy at
the multilateral level. Capacity increase is related to changes in the organizational struc-
ture within the ministries of foreign affairs which has led to an increase in the total num-
ber of employees in the area of foreign affairs.
However, the concept of global diplomacy does not mean just political relations and
contacts between countries or international organizations. Modern, global diplomacy
involves a number of other relationships such as economic, cultural, educational, military,
scientific and other. Also, it can be said that the current situation on the global plan leads to
an increasing need for diplomatic negotiations in new areas of social life, which have become
the center of global interest such as human rights, migration, environment, international
terrorism, and the like (Simonović, 2005) .
Due to this trend, diplomacy is becoming a profession which requires more and
more specialized knowledge. Evident technological advances in the field of communica-
tion have to some extent affected diplomatic communication, leading to growing influ-
ence of the media and the public on the processes in international relations. The latest in
a series of examples of this phenomenon is the so-called “WikiLeaks scandal”.

ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

The modern world is characterized by constant changes in which the key for
economic success lies in the ability to understand them and to optimally adapt to the new
business environment. The emerging environment is nothing more than globalization. If
we bear in mind the fact that global economy is characterized by a high level of competi-
tiveness, the question of how economic subjects of small countries can achieve satisfac-
tory market share and how they can achieve competitive advantages that allow proper
positioning in the market arises? Finding the “market place”, according to Peter Dracker,
is nothing more than a way to ensure survival and subsequent growth and development.
In this sense, researches show that efficient and effective diplomacy can have an impor-
tant positive role, or more precisely, its economic components more known as - eco-
nomic diplomacy.
Diplomacy in the contemporary world is faced with very complex challenges
and constant transformations, trying to maintain a privileged status and a high historical
reputation of the key factor in international relations. Things have become greatly com-
plicated with the end of the “Cold War ,” because from that time to the present the barriers
between the states gradually disappeared, which resulted in a spontaneously need for the
extent and form of diplomacy implemented in the last century. Meetings at the top, “di-

71
plomacy shuttle”, the existence of a single “super power” - the United States, a rapid
development of technology and information explosion rendered the diplomacy of the
twentieth century not as useful and functional as it was before (Miletić, 2004).
Besides the fact that the world is no longer a safe place as it was during the last
century, however, it should be noted that there is a significant shift on the emphasis in the
work of diplomacy from security-military and political issues onto the field of economics.
This tendency is not only logical reaction to changes in the environment, but is also a
necessary response to the needs of economic subjects of global markets.
Economic diplomacy is not a new term for a new feature in the development of
diplomacy. From the Renaissance to the present economic problems were one of the most
urgent tasks of diplomacy, along with political and security aspects, providing through
them a certain balance of power. Economic and security-political diplomacy alternately
receive priority depending on historical circumstances and the environment which the
states are in.
In international system, economic diplomacy gains further importance due to the
acceleration of globalization (referring primarily to further strengthening of the degree of
interdependence between states, as well as integration processes at regional and global
levels), in terms of lack of adequate policies and institutions that set the framework for the
performance of economic subjects of global markets. In these circumstances, firms are
invited by the institutions of their countries to strengthen the performance on the world
market, leading to the conclusion, the more powerful country is, the easier is for compa-
nies from these countries to find a place on the global market, and again, on the other
hand, companies from small countries have significantly less chance to do so. Govern-
ments have little choice but to support the activities of the companies from their country,
otherwise, companies from other countries will benefit from their passivity. All this is
nothing, but an open struggle for the growth and development of the economic strength
of individual companies, whose success is ultimately, the success of the economic poli-
cies of democratically elected governments.
Trade diplomacy, according to the official interpretation of the U.S. State De-
partment, includes state activities for promotion and protection of interests of companies
at the international level, negotiations with governments and companies in countries in
which parent companies operate, preclusion measures for possible economic conflicts at
the domestic and international level, gathering of information, and global promotion of
export interests through the diplomatic apparatus, all in direct cooperation with local
companies.
In regard to economic diplomacy, it can be observed from two levels. One is
economic diplomacy in a broader sense, which is more comprehensive and it concerns all the
subjects of a society involved in strengthening of the economic competitiveness of a country
through diplomatic methods, and the other is the definition of economic diplomacy in a
narrower sense, which is concerned with exclusive activities of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in the defense of economic interests of its country.

72
 REGIONAL DIPLOMACY

Today there are different types of cooperation between sovereign states. The
cause for all types of cooperation is globalization, which encourages international rela-
tions and contributes to their diversity. In order to discuss cooperation between the coun-
tries at the global level, we must first start with a country and its regions. Its performance
on the global stage depends on what kind of relations it establishes with the countries in
the region. In addition to bilateral and multilateral cooperation, we see that there are
stronger and more institutionalized forms of economic, financial, technological, security
and other cooperation between individual countries in the region (province, republic),
countries within the established regional economic integration (group), and regional inte-
grations themselves. Most prominent among all forms of regional relations and coopera-
tion are certainly economic relations. The formation of numerous regional integrations
has become a global mega trend.
Regional diplomacy is a relatively new form of multilateral diplomacy, created
as a result of regional economic integrations, and it has developed and is developing par-
allel to the development of regional integration processes and initiatives in the contempo-
rary world. Its role and influence in the modern diplomatic world is growing, both politi-
cal and economic, but also in every other field, and thus it represents a chance for small
countries to achieve, through regional diplomacy, a better position in the field of foreign
policy.
Economic globalization is favoring of new entities, regional unions, which are
better adapted to developments. Trade flows are organized around more attractive poles
that are assembled around the integration of trade and economic agreements. In North
America it is NAFTA; in Latin or South America that is MERCOSUL; ASEAN in Asia,
and the EU in Europe, which is the leader among existing agreements.
Regional integrations have become an unavoidable subject of international rela-
tions and international law, foreign policy, diplomacy and diplomatic relations in the
modern world. Without their political and diplomatic engagement not even one ope n
world political, security, economic, environmental or other kind of issue cannot be con-
sidered or resolved.
Regional diplomacy encompasses a very broad spectrum of international rela-
tions that are established through the activity of regional integration, especially between
(1) member states of regional integration, (2) regional integration and other countries
outside the integration, (3) the very regional integrations, (4) regional and global
integrations, and (5) regional integrations and international, intergovernmental and non-
govern-
mental organizations and others.
Regional integrations are also concerned with matters of foreign policy to the
extent that member states have transferred their powers to them, in relation to this type of
activity. The best example of the success of a small country through regional integration
is Ireland, which has after joining the EU, made progress in all fields, including interna-
tional relations.
Regional integration centers such as Brussels (European Union), Montevideo
(MERCOSOUL), Jakarta (ASEAN), Ethiopia (African Union) and others, have become
prominent global multilateral diplomacy centers for diplomatic missions and representa-
tives of member states of such regional economic integrations, as well as the countries
73
that have an interest in establishing cooperation on the diplomatic level with such integrations
(Dašić, 2008) .
Depending on the economic, trade and financial content among them, one is
confronted with various forms of regional integration of states: (1) a preferential trade
agreement, (2) free trade market (3) the customs union and (4) common market, (5) a
single market and (6) a mega market.
Precisely these forms of regional integration of countries represent a chance for
small countries to allow their companies to appear on the global market, or at least re-
gional market.
The most influential regional integrations in the world are:
- European Union,
- European Free Trade Association (EFTA),
- Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA),
- the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),
- the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC),
- North American integration (NAFTA),
- he Andean integration (CAN),
- South American integration (MERCOSUL)
- U.S.: Free Trade (FTAA);
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC);
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
- the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),
- the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),
- African economic community at large (AEC),
- the African Union (AU).

CURRENT ROLE OF EMBASSIES

Embassies are the most common form of diplomatic representation in bilateral

diplomacy. Typically, they are located in the capitals of the host state. Ambassador, the
highest diplomatic authority, manages the work of the Embassy. Ambassador is the chief
of the diplomatic mission of the highest rank under the Vienna Convention on Diplo-
matic Relations. Ambassador is the highest representative of his state in the country in
which he is (host country), and in that sense he is superior to all official representatives in
that country (consular, cultural, and other). Ambassador is the head of his country and he
represents his country before the authorities of the state in which he is accredited. He
speaks on behalf of his government. Since he receives and transmits communications of
his government and since he is the official source of information, he is also a regular and
reliable intermediary in the relations between the two countries.
High trustees (formerly the commissioners) have the rank of ambassador which is
exchanged between the countries of the Commonwealth and the highest representatives of the
Vatican, nuncios and pro-nuncios. It should be noted that embassies have their own sectors,
according to circuit operation, run by the diplomatic representatives who are lower in rank
than the ambassador.

74
 The role of embassies today is largely reduced, thus their influence in
international relations is diminished. The biggest impact of the embassies was during the
division into blocs, where their work was confined largely to political action. The end of the
Cold War reduced the need for such political activity and most embassies are turning to
resolving of economic, cultural and other issues, and as well as to constant performing of
regular activities and consular affairs.
During recent years, a trend in the reduction of diplomatic missions in the world
is noticeable, especially by large countries. The reason for this is largely recession and
justice in order to reduce costs, so there is an effort to maintain embassies that could, in
some way, conduct regional diplomatic missions. An example of this is the Canadian
embassy in Vienna, which is also responsible for the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
Though big countries are reducing their number of diplomatic missions in the
world, small countries should do just the opposite, but with prior modernization of their
diplomatic network and reorganization of the entire diplomatic system. Systematization
should be done based on the interests of the state, to strengthen the embassies and other
diplomatic missions in the countries where there is some interest, while in other countries
diplomatic activity should be reduced to regular consular activities, and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs should take over the rest of the embassy’s affairs.

REDEFINING THE ROLE OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

In the recent past, especially during the bloc division of the world, all activities in the
field of international relations weree mainly conducted through diplomatic offices around the
world, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a more organizational and logistical role.
Upon the completion of the division into blocks, diplomatic missions slowly are decreased
in engaging in political activities in the host country and are turning more to economic,
cultural and consular issues, while political issues are dealt with more by the state
government, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rapidly increases with the expansion
and development of information technology, especially if one takes into account that
communication between representatives of states is facilitated in many ways. Small coun-
tries should develop the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or at least to stream-
line and organize their work so that they can meet the requirements of the modern time.
In modern diplomacy trends, with the European Union as an example, other
ministries are increasingly involved in international relations, and in the area under their
jurisdiction.
Some of the jobs of modern organized foreign ministries are:
- to represent, along with the President, the state in its relations with other
countries, international organizations, international courts and other interna-
tional institutions, as well as their representative offices in the country;
- to protect the interests of the state, its citizens and legal persons abroad;
- to propose the Government a foreign policy which the Government deter-
mines;

75
 - to propose the Government the establishment and termination of diplomatic
relations with other countries;
- to propose the Government the membership or participation of the state in
international organizations and integrations, as well as other forms of
international cooperation;
- to propose the Government the ambassadors, general and honorary consuls
of the state abroad;
- to participate in activities related to the accreditation of official representa-
tives of the state and international organizations in the country;
- to organize official visits at the state and diplomatic level;
– to take part in preparations for the participation of state representatives in
international negotiations and conferences;
- to analyze the international situation of the state and bilateral relations with
other countries;
- to analyze the foreign policy aspects of defense and national security;
– to analyze and predict the development of regional and global relations and
phenomena, particularly in the area of foreign policy, security, international
public and private law, economics, environment, education and culture and
human rights, which are important for the realization of international rela-
tions of the state;
- to collect and analyze foreign media information concerning the state;
– to prepare draft laws, other regulations and general acts in the field of for-
eign affairs, give an opinion on draft laws and regulations relating to foreign
affairs, for which other government bodies are responsible, which are of
interest to the international position of the state;
- to prepare legal opinions on questions of international law for the state pres-
ident, the government and other state bodies;
- to propose the Government the development strategy of foreign affairs and
other measures to shape the foreign policy of the Government and the prep-
aration of documents, information and analysis in the field of foreign policy;
- in cooperation with state authorities, they initiate proceedings and coordi-
nate the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, participate
in the process of their ratification and monitoring of their application and
keep the originals of all international agreements, joint statements and state
declarations and its international government predecessors;
- inform the governments of other states and international publicity, as well as
immigrants, their citizens abroad on the politics and government of the state
and in cooperation with other relevant government agencies promote political
views of the Government in order to strengthen the reputation of the state in
international relations;
- in cooperation with other relevant government agencies, carry out the elec-
tions for their citizens who have a permanent residence or temporary
residence abroad during the elections and referendum on the state level;
- in cooperation with other government agencies, perform division affairs
with neighboring countries, draft and maintain documentation of the state
border;
76
 - collect and maintain documentation on foreign policy of the state, encour-
age scientific research in the field of foreign policy and international rela-
tions;
- implement the process of acquiring, holding and disposing of real estate
abroad, which is necessary for diplomatic-consular offices;
- organize, maintain and protect information systems, telecommunications,
courier and other ties with the diplomatic and consular missions and other
information systems;
- perform jobs of security of the Ministry, diplomatic missions and staff;
- in cooperation with other relevant bodies ensure participation in interna-
tional operations;
- perform other duties specified by the law.

The ministries perform activities directly and through diplomatic and consular
missions.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an executive authority which has the closest link
to other separate executive body - the head of the state since in most modern states the
head of state participates in the creation and shaping of foreign policy. Also, the activities
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mainly involve the creation of security and defense
policy of a particular state, which is particularly evident in NATO countries. And vice
versa, the Ministry of Defense, is actually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “in the small”
since the Department of Defense implements a strong diplomatic activity of the state
through international military cooperation. An example of this is the United States and
some European countries such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

CONCLUSION

In recent years, diplomacy as a whole has experienced some changes, and it can be
said that is slowly emerging from its traditional limits. These changes should be used by small
countries to modernize their diplomatic network and reconstruct it so that they can respond
to ever-rising demands that are put in front of them.
In addition, there are also new actors in diplomatic relations, primarily specialized
foreign ministry officials. The process of “diplomacy” of departmental ministries is already
under way in the European Union. For example, international financial issues are negotiated
by finance ministers, not diplomats.
Many countries have a large number of small diplomatic departmental ministries
such as agriculture, finance, trade, transport, and so on. This trend is obvious and it is
imperative that ministries are trained to participate in diplomatic processes, especially in
small countries, because in this way diplomatic action increases and helps diplomatic
representatives of other countries to perform their jobs better and more efficiently.
Despite the growing multi departmental approach, the backbone of the
implementation of foreign policy of small countries remains on the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, which is the traditional approach to diplomacy, since modern diplomacy is
increasingly based on economic and military component.

77
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Paper Received: 25. 11. 2012

Paper Approved: 28. 1. 2013

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