News in English     | 28.04.2019. 09:01 |

Turković: Political and economic functions of MFA are national interests

FENA Bisera Džidić

SARAJEVO/DOHA, April 28 (FENA) – Most important function of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of any country is defending the interests of state and government in the other country and at all regional and international forums where the country is represented. Ministry helps formulate foreign policy of a country towards realizing national interests – improving social, economic, cultural and political aspirations, which will positively affect lives of citizens in the country, Bisera Turković,  Ambassador of BiH in Qatar said in an interview with FENA, who SDA president Bakir Izetbegovic recently said could perform ministerial duty better than many men.

 

Interviewer: Bisera Džidić

Considering her rich diplomatic experience, Ambassador Turković spoke about how she sees position of a foreign minister, assessing it is her impression that Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH mostly deals with staff and supporting the diplomatic network abroad, so the most important role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs becomes dealing with structure of the ministry, such as employment, sending staff to diplomatic consular network, financing, maintenance, which is not a bad thing, but it is not enough.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have two important roles: one is politics, negotiating on international cooperation; second is economic one, to help local companies in their international trade and marketing. Both of these ‘functions’ are considered ‘national interest’. It is clear there is a divergence between normative political perspective and real political life. Theory is only an abstraction. It is our job to make that abstraction useful”, said Ambassador Turković.

She emphasized that Foreign Ministry carries several functions, including encouraging international cooperation in all areas to preserve firstly peace, security, stability and prosperity.

“I believe minister of foreign affairs should be a qualified diplomat who will fight for jobs and security of their country,” said Ambassador Turković.

She was the first bilateral ambassador of the Republic of BiH in Republic of Croatia. With that appointment by the presidency of the Republic of BiH in 1993 she also became the first bilateral ambassador ever appointed in history of BiH, also the first female ambassador.

Asked about diplomatic engagement during the war in BiH, Ambassador Turković talked about challenges she dealt with during the fight for survival.  

“Soldiers gave me the strength, who were heroes defending our country. President Alija Izetbegović gave me strength, who believed in me, as well as many other wonderful associates,” said Ambassador Turković.

Addressing her current engagement in the State of Qatar, she said that geopolitical image of the world has significantly changed over the past few years.

“Diplomatic profession has become a measurable working activity. Nature of the job has changed as well. It is now more diplomacy’s goal to deal with promotion of the country of origin and shaping public opinion in the country where a diplomat is serving the mission. Ambassador should promote their country and its potential, they should strategically plan their activities in accordance with goals of foreign policy, promoting culture, tourism, sport, education and economy. It is important to love your job, love the country you represent and work consistently with maximum capacity,” said Ambassador of BiH in the State of Qatar Bisera Turković in an interview with FENA.

(FENA) A. B.

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