“My purpose is to try and invite you to take some distance with what you are reading in your books”, he stated as the lecture took off. The General Consul maintained an active dialogue with the students, where both asked questions and gave feedback to one another.

Cherkaoui addressed the role of states in International Relations: “A state is always guided by interest”, as well as the role diplomacy plays in this regard. As a follow up, students of international relations will make field visits to the Consulates of Belgium, Colombia, Philippines, Switzerland, Turkey, USA on February 19-21.