Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (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 and for the promotion of Turkish culture, as well as for implementing the country's foreign policy in accordance with its 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 consul-generals are women. That is, 72 women out of 172 ambassadors, and 14 women out of 97 consul-generals.
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, consulate-generals, 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). Consulate-generals are headed by diplomats called consul-generals.
Main issues regarding Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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.
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
Turkey, Foreign Affairs
1920 establishments in the Ottoman Empire
Foreign relations of Turkey
Turkey