Complementary shelter: a foreign policy analysis of Montenegro–Türkiye relations

This paper examines contemporary Montenegro–Türkiye relations, addressing a notable gap in the scholarly literature on the period following Montenegro’s restoration of independence in 2006. It seeks to determine whether, to what extent, and through which political, economic, and societal mechanisms Türkiye provides shelter to Montenegro, as well as whether Türkiye’s democratic backsliding has affected the continuity and intensity of bilateral relations. By analysing the political, economic, and societal dimensions of cooperation, the study assesses the principal indicators of the development of Montenegro–Türkiye relations. The findings support the hypothesis that Türkiye provides Montenegro with limited and sector-specific shelter. However, Türkiye does not constitute an alternative to the EU and NATO as Montenegro’s dominant sources of shelter, but rather a complementary partner. The continuity and intensity of bilateral cooperation despite Türkiye’s democratic backsliding point to the pragmatic character of Montenegro’s foreign policy, without indicating a departure from its European and Euro-Atlantic orientation.