Ministry of foreign affairs

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British Foreign Secretary James Callaghan and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Max van der Stoel in 1975 James Callaghan and Max van der Stoel (1975).jpg
British Foreign Secretary James Callaghan and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Max van der Stoel in 1975

In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and relations, diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. [1] The entity is usually headed by a foreign minister or minister of foreign affairs (the title may vary, such as secretary of state who has the same functions). [2] The foreign minister typically reports to the head of government (such as prime minister or president). [3]

Contents

Difference in titles

In some nations, such as India, the foreign minister is referred to as the minister for external affairs; or others, such as Brazil and the states created from the former Soviet Union, call the position the minister of external relations. In the United States, the secretary of state is the member of the Cabinet who handles foreign relations. Other common titles may include minister of foreign relations. In many countries of Latin America, the foreign minister is colloquially called "chancellor" (canciller in the Spanish-speaking countries and chanceler in the Portuguese-speaking Brazil).

Diplomats, themselves, and historians often refer to the foreign ministry by its local address, for example, the Ballhausplatz in Vienna housed the Foreign Ministry of Austria-Hungary; the Quai d'Orsay in Paris for France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs; the South Block in New Delhi for India's Ministry of External Affairs; the Necessidades Palace in Lisbon for Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Wilhelmstraße, in Berlin, was the location of the German Foreign Office; and Foggy Bottom, a neighborhood of Washington, D.C., houses the Department of State. The Ministry of External Relations of Brazil is often referred as the "Itamaraty" due to the two homonymous palaces that served as its headquarters, the original one in Rio de Janeiro (1899–1970) and the present Itamaraty Palace (since 1970) in Brasília. Indonesians also often refer to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs as "Pejambon", since the ministry's main headquarters is located at Pejambon Street, Central Jakarta. During the Russian Empire, which lasted until 1917, the term used was the Choristers' Bridge in Saint Petersburg. In contrast, the Italian ministry was called the Consulta. [4]

Powers of position

A foreign minister's powers vary from government to government. In a classic parliamentary system, a foreign minister can potentially exert significant influence in forming foreign policy but when the government is dominated by a strong prime minister, the foreign minister may be limited to playing a more marginal or subsidiary role in determining policy. Similarly, the political powers invested in the foreign minister are often more limited in presidential governments with a strong executive branch. Since the end of World War II, it has been common for both the foreign minister and defense minister to be part of an inner cabinet (commonly known as a national security council) in order to coordinate defense and diplomatic policy. Although the 19th and early 20th centuries saw many heads of government assume the foreign ministry, this practice has since become uncommon in most developed nations.

In some countries, the foreign minister is typically among the highest profiles of cabinet positions. For instance, in the US, its foreign minister is the first member of cabinet in line for the presidential line of succession (with the vice president, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and president pro-tempore of the United States Senate ahead of the foreign minister). The UK's foreign secretary belongs to the four Great Offices of State (along with the prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, and home secretary).

Responsibilities

Along with their political roles, foreign ministers are also traditionally responsible for many diplomatic duties, such as hosting foreign world leaders and going on state visits to other countries. The foreign minister is generally the most well-traveled member of any cabinet.

Although it is very rare for there to be any sub-national foreign minister post, sometimes there is a minor external relations position. The European Union has dealt with external relations in certain areas since its inception (see EU Trade Commissioner) and has a high representative as its chief diplomat. However, his or her duties are primarily to implement EU foreign policy, rather than formulate it.

Lists of current ministries of foreign affairs

Named "ministry"

Equivalents named "department"

Other names

Historical

Named "ministry"

Lists

By year

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Fiji</span>

Fiji has experienced many coups recently, in 1987, 2000, and 2006. Fiji has been suspended various times from the Commonwealth of Nations, a grouping of mostly former British colonies. It was readmitted to the Commonwealth in December 2001, following the parliamentary election held to restore democracy in September that year, and has been suspended again because of the 2006 coup, but has been readmitted a second time after the 2014 election. Other Pacific Island governments have generally been sympathetic to Fiji's internal political problems and have declined to take public positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (France)</span> Foreign affairs government office of France

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is the ministry of the Government of France that handles France's foreign relations. Since 1855, its headquarters have been located at 37 Quai d'Orsay, close to the National Assembly. The term Quai d'Orsay is often used as a metonym for the ministry. Its cabinet minister, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs is responsible for the foreign relations of France. The current officeholder, Stéphane Séjourné, was appointed in 2024.

Global Affairs Canada is the department of the Government of Canada that manages Canada's diplomatic and consular relations, promotes Canadian international trade, and leads Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance. It is also responsible for maintaining Canadian government offices abroad with diplomatic and consular status on behalf of all government departments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)</span> Government ministry of Japan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an executive department of the Government of Japan, and is responsible for the country's foreign policy and international relations.

The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the foreign ministry of the Kingdom of Norway. It was established on June 7, 1905, the same day the Parliament of Norway (Storting) decided to dissolve the personal union with Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</span> Federal foreign affairs and trade department of the Australian Government

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the department of the Australian federal government responsible for foreign policy and relations, international aid, consular services and trade and investment. Australia's total official development assistance (ODA) decreased in 2022 due to differences in Australia's financial year reporting and the timing of its COVID-19-related expenditure, representing 0.19% of gross national income (GNI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland)</span> Irish government department

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for promoting the interests of Ireland in the European Union and the wider world. The head of the department is the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Foreign Service</span> Diplomatic service of the Government of India

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is a civil service under the All India Services. It is the diplomatic service and a central civil service of the Government of India under the Ministry of External Affairs. The Foreign Secretary is the head of the service. Vinay Mohan Kwatra is the 34th and the current Foreign Secretary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines)</span> Executive department of the Philippine government

The Department of Foreign Affairs is the executive department of the Philippine government tasked to contribute to the enhancement of national security, protection of the territorial integrity and national sovereignty, to participate in the national endeavor of sustaining development and enhancing the Philippines' competitive edge, to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas and to mobilize them as partners in national development, to project a positive image of the Philippines, and to increase international understanding of Philippine culture for mutually-beneficial relations with other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)</span> Netherlands ministry responsible for foreign relations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for foreign relations, foreign policy, international development, international trade, diaspora and matters dealing with the European Union, NATO and the Benelux Union. The ministry was created in 1798, as the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Batavian Republic. In 1876, it became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of External Affairs (India)</span> Indias Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of External Affairs of India is the government agency responsible for implementing Indian foreign policy. The Ministry of External Affairs is headed by the Minister of External Affairs, a Cabinet Minister. The Foreign Secretary, an Indian Foreign Service officer, is the most senior civil servant who is the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry represents the Government of India through embassies and is also responsible for India's representation at the United Nations and other international organizations and expanding and safeguarding India's influence and Indian interests across the world by providing developmental aid to other countries worth billions of dollars. It also advises other Ministries and State Governments on foreign governments and institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)</span> Governmental agency of Azerbaijan Republic

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is a Cabinet-level governmental agency of Azerbaijan Republic in charge of conducting and designing the country's foreign policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Belarus)</span> Belarusian government ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus is the Belarusian government ministry which oversees the foreign relations of Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia)</span> Ministry of the Government of Malaysia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, abbreviated KLN, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for foreign affairs, Malaysian diaspora, foreigners in Malaysia, diplomacy, foreign relations, counter terrorism, bilateral affairs, multilateral affairs, ASEAN, international protocol, consular services, maritime affairs, and chemical weapons. It is currently based in Putrajaya. It is also widely known as Wisma Putra, which is also the name of its building in Putrajaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Portugal)</span>

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the Portuguese governmental department responsible for the formulation, coordination, and execution of the foreign policy. The Ministry has its headquarters in the Palácio das Necessidades, in Lisbon. Its current head is the Minister of State and of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel. There are three Secretaries of State which are part of the Ministry: European Affairs; Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and Portuguese Communities.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia is an executive department of the Government of Slovenia responsible for relations with other countries and international organisations, monitoring of the international political and economic situation, and strengthening of Slovenia's relations with other countries and international organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Patriota</span> Brazilian diplomat

Antonio de Aguiar Patriota is the current Ambassador of Brazil to the United Kingdom and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Patriota took office as foreign minister on January 1, 2011, and remained in office until August 26, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Soviet Union)</span> Soviet Union Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of External Relations (MER) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was founded on 6 July 1923. It had three names during its existence: People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (1923–1946), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1946–1991) and Ministry of External Relations (1991). It was one of the most important government offices in the Soviet Union. The Ministry was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs prior to 1991, and a Minister of External Relations in 1991. Every leader of the Ministry was nominated by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and confirmed by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, and was a member of the Council of Ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahamas–India relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bahamas–India relations refer to bilateral relations between The Bahamas and India. The Bahamas maintains an Honorary Consulate in New Delhi. The High Commission of India in Kingston, Jamaica concurrently accredited to The Bahamas. India does not have a resident diplomatic mission in The Bahamas.

References

  1. The Selection and Tenure of Foreign Ministers Around the World. Cambridge University Press. 2024.
  2. "Minister of Foreign Affairs". The Free Dictionaryaccessdate=March 24, 2024.
  3. The Oxford Andrew F. Cooper, et al. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy (2015) excerpt chapters 4 and 5.
  4. David Stevenson, "The Diplomats" in Jay Winter, ed. The Cambridge History of the First World War: Volume II: The State (2014) vol 2 p 68.

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