Garčević Hosts Diplomatic Exchange on Global Challenges

Amb. Garčević (3rd from left) with a delegation of young diplomats.

On March 19, 2024, a delegation of young diplomats from North Macedonia were warmly received by the Pardee School of Global Studies, hosted by Ambassador Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations. The visit, facilitated by Friends Forever International, a nonprofit educational organization based in New Hampshire, aimed to foster cross-cultural understanding and leadership development among youth. Organized through the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), the visit exemplified the commitment to supporting young leaders from post-socialist countries in their pursuit of professional development opportunities, under the guidance of Ambassador Garčević.

Throughout the visit, the Macedonian diplomats engaged in a series of meetings across Washington DC, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Discussions at the Pardee School, led by Ambassador Garčević, encompassed a wide range of global issues, including the upcoming US Presidential Elections, the rise of populism and far-right ideologies in the Western world, and the escalating trend of Euroscepticism within the European Union (EU). Deliberations extended to the EU membership prospects of the Balkans following the invasion of Ukraine, as well as concerns surrounding foreign malign influence in the region.

Anticipating potential shifts in American foreign policy, including the possibility of a change in administration and the return of former President Trump to the White House, participants speculated on the implications for US engagement in the Balkans. Consensus emerged that such developments might introduce greater unpredictability, posing potential challenges for ongoing EU efforts in the region.

Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years during his diplomatic career. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.