History evidences that both diplomacy and professional training of diplomats in Serbia have had a long tradition. The diplomatic service has followed the political and social development of the Serbian state, and has shared its destiny.

The first modern law on diplomatic service was passed in 1886, under the reign of King Milan. The Law stipulated the rules and conditions for entering diplomatic service, and diplomatic agents, like all other civil servants, were required to possess "the necessary knowledge and competencies ". A candidate for diplomacy was also required to hold a diploma from either a Serbian or a foreign university, to speak the French language, to pass the complex entrance exam, later on followed by a diplomatic-consular exam, which tested the knowledge and the initially acquired diplomatic and statesmanship skills.

Many prominent Serbs, from Jovan Ducic, Milan Rakic, Ivo Andric, Milos Crnjanski, to our contemporaries, had entered the diplomatic service and received the specific diplomatic training and education.

Diplomatic education has become increasingly complex within the distinct legal framework, and has become institutionalized over time, in line with the exigencies of modern diplomatic service and contemporary international trends. In 1998, the diplomatic education provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was transformed into a new organizational unit of the Ministry, the Diplomatic Academy, the purpose of which is to enhance specific knowledge and skills and to become a foothold in the professional development of diplomats and civil servants, within its regular programmes.

The new syllabus of the Diplomatic Academy, in effect from 2002, is annually being adjusted to the pre-set objectives. The majority of lecturers are professional diplomats, university professors from the Faculty of Political Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics, and other experts from Serbia and from abroad.

Within its activities, the Diplomatic Academy prepares, organizes, and implements the following programmes of professional development and training:

• The core programme of diplomatic-consular training
• Informational and training seminars, symposia, public panel discussions, consultative meetings, lectures, international gatherings and other study programmes both in Serbia and abroad, concerning areas significant for the performance of foreign affairs functions
• Professional exams intended for the Serbian MFA employees
• Foreign language courses
• Specialist training seminars, lectures concerning foreign policy issues, professional development of diplomats abroad and other activities, which are being carried out through international cooperation with academies and foundations abroad

 

Researchers and students who may need additional information on topics related to the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia can contact us through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .