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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Diplomacy & Embassies

Foreign ministry

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, foreign ministry means: The government department responsible for a country's relations with other states, its diplomatic service and its embassies abroad.

In Turkish: Dışişleri Bakanlığı

How it is used

The general term in news and IR writing. Official names differ: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Foreign Office in the UK (formally the FCDO) and the State Department in the US. A 'foreign ministry spokesperson' gives regular press briefings.

Example sentences

  1. The foreign ministry issued a statement welcoming the agreement.

  2. He joined the foreign ministry straight after university.

  3. A foreign ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.

Common collocations

  • foreign ministry spokesperson
  • foreign ministry statement
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • summoned to the foreign ministry
  • foreign policyA government's goals and strategies for dealing with other countries and international organisations, and the decisions it takes to pursue them.
  • embassyThe main official mission of one country in another country's capital, led by an ambassador; also the building where this mission works.
  • diplomatAn official who represents their country abroad or in international organisations, handling relations, negotiations and the protection of their country's interests and citizens.
  • ambassadorThe highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another country or at an international organisation, usually as head of an embassy or permanent mission.

More terms: Diplomacy & Embassies

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