- published: 19 Oct 2012
- views: 36345
A Foreign Minister or Minister of Foreign Affairs is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations.
In some nations, such as India, the Foreign Minister is referred to as the Minister for External Affairs or, as in the case of Brazil and of the former Soviet Union, as the Minister of External Relations. In the United States the equivalent to the foreign ministry is called the Department of State, and the equivalent position is known as the Secretary of State. Other common titles may include minister of foreign relations. In many Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries in Latin America, the foreign minister is colloquially called canciller (chancellor).
A foreign minister's powers can 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. 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.
The Great Offices of State - Part 2 - Palace of Dreams
Working in the Foreign Office: Meet the diplomats
Philip Hammond welcomes visitors to the Foreign Office for Open House weekend
The Civil Service on Helping Foreign Nations
Cat starts work at Foreign Office
What does the Foreign Office do? The FCO in one minute
India has no immunity for violating human rights in Kashmir, Pakistan Foreign Office - Geo News
Right to choose: Foreign Office Minister launches campaign against forced marriage
On Repeat - Foreign Office
Pak Analyst: Making Fun of Pakistan Foreign Office Statement