Foreign Ministry (Turkey)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs () is the governmental body responsible for conducting foreign relations of the Republic of Turkey. The Ministry is responsible for Turkey's diplomatic missions abroad as well as providing support for Turkish citizens and promoting Turkish culture. The ministry implements Turkish foreign policy in accordance with the country's national interests. Established on 2 May 1920, its primary duties are administering diplomatic missions, negotiating international treaties and agreements, and representing the Republic of Turkey at the United Nations. The ministry is headquartered in the Turkish capital of Ankara and counts on more than 200 missions as embassies, permanent representation offices and consulates general, abroad. As of 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains 235 diplomatic posts worldwide. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Hakan Fidan, who has held the position since 3 June 2023.

Diplomatic missions

The Ministry oversees Turkey's diplomatic missions abroad, which include embassies, consulates, and representative offices in over 200 countries and territories.

Gender equality

As of April 2023, 42% of Turkey's ambassadors and 15% of Turkey's consuls-general are women. That is, 72 women out of 172 ambassadors, and 14 women out of 97 consuls-general.Ambassador-level missions overseas are made up of 13 permanent delegates, a trade representative, and 159 embassies; totaling to 172 ambassadors. This statistic excludes Turkey's domestic ambassador-level posts, such as general directors or political advisers.

Organization

Office of the Minister

This is the top-level of the MFA hierarchy and is responsible for managing the overall operations of the ministry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is assisted by three Deputy Ministers and several advisors.

Central organization

* Political Affairs department is responsible for the development and implementation of Turkey's foreign policy. It analyzes international political developments, conducts research, and provides policy recommendations to the government.
* Economic Affairs department is responsible for promoting Turkey's economic interests abroad. It works to increase trade and investment, improve economic relations with other countries, and support Turkish businesses operating abroad.
* EU Affairs department is responsible for Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU). It coordinates Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU and monitors EU policies that affect Turkey's interests.
* Multilateral Political Affairs department is responsible for Turkey's participation in international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
* Consular Affairs department provides consular services to Turkish citizens abroad and foreign nationals in Turkey. It issues passports and visas, provides assistance to Turkish nationals in emergency situations, and works to protect the rights of Turkish citizens abroad.
* Cultural Affairs department is responsible for promoting Turkish culture and language abroad. It organizes cultural events, supports Turkish language instruction in foreign countries, and facilitates academic and cultural exchanges between Turkey and other countries.
* Protocol department is responsible for managing official visits by foreign dignitaries and organizing events hosted by the MFA. It also provides logistical support to Turkish diplomatic missions abroad.
* Overseas Promotion and Public Diplomacy department is responsible for promoting Turkey's image abroad and improving its relations with foreign publics. It conducts public diplomacy activities, manages Turkish cultural centers abroad, and coordinates public relations efforts with Turkish diplomatic missions.

Field offices

The ministry runs field offices in the following cities:

Overseas organization

Turkish embassies, consulates-general, permanent representatives, and trade offices are semi-detached from the central organization. They follow the orders of the Minister's office, and the chief of mission is the sole authority within an overseas diplomatic mission. In the Turkish MFA, an ambassador is the chief of an embassy or a permanent representative. An ambassador would also be the chief of the sole Turkish trade office abroad in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Consulates-general are headed by diplomats called consuls-general.

Major issues

International organizations

Republic of Turkey is a member of 26 international organizations. The contact between these organizations and Turkey is maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

List of foreign ministers

Awards

Since 1989, the Ministry awards people and organizations that have demonstrated distinguished services.

See also

* List of ministers of foreign affairs of Turkey
* List of diplomatic missions of Turkey
* Foreign relations of Turkey
* Politics of Turkey
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ottoman Empire)

References

External links

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{{Authority control

Turkey, Foreign Affairs
1920 establishments in the Ottoman Empire

Foreign relations of Turkey
Turkey
Foreign Affairs