Ministry of foreign affairs
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, including consular services, for a country's citizens who are abroad. 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). The foreign minister typically reports to the head of government (such as prime minister or president).
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