Europe Says “No” to Artur Mas

Diplomacy has its own codes. It is imperative to know these in detail to avoid being exposed to difficult situations and putting one’s credibility at risk when defending one’s interests. Apparently simple things, such as having a meeting with a foreign political leader, shaking hands with him or her in public, or making a declaration, require a deep knowledge of the traditions both of the host country and of foreign relations in general. It is not enough to have the determination to do something, or to present one’s own views and interests properly. It is also necessary to know how to read an interlocutor’s position and to select the right moment to act.