Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)

History

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of Greece’s oldest ministries. Theodoros Negris is regarded as its first minister, serving from 1822 to 1823. https://200years.mfa.gr/en/mfa-history-en/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Revolution and the early years of Independence]

However, the ministry was dissolved in May 1823, as Greece had not yet gained official recognition from any state. It was re-established in 1827 as an independent entity under the name Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs and Merchant Marine. In 1828, Greece was formally recognized as a state by the three protecting powers, leading to the appointment of the first ambassadors to the country. This title persisted until April 1833, when, following the arrival of King Otto, it was renamed the Secretariat of State for the Royal House and Foreign Affairs, with Spyridon Trikoupis as its first minister. During this period, Greece expanded its diplomatic relations with Austrian Empire, Belgium, Danish Unitary State, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the Kingdom of Sweden and Norway. In 1846, the title was updated to the Ministry of the Royal House and Foreign Affairs. In February 1863, it adopted its current official name, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Responsibilities

The mission of the Ministry is to implement the country's foreign policy, and its responsibilities include, among others:

• Supporting and promoting Greek interests in foreign states and the international community
• Providing information and updates on Greek issues and positions
• Representing the Hellenic Republic and its government in international organizations and bodies
• Offering diplomatic support to state institutions, public enterprises and organizations, political parties, and members of parliament during their international contacts
• Promoting and protecting the rights and interests of Greeks abroad
• Promoting and safeguarding Greece's economic, commercial, maritime, tourism, and other interests abroad
• Managing the diplomatic correspondence of the President of the Republic
• Maintaining relations of the Hellenic Republic with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, autocephalous Orthodox churches, and other religious denominations
• Politically administering Mount Athos
• Handling matters related to the awarding of Greek Orders of Excellence and the authorization to accept foreign distinctions

List of ministers for foreign affairs since 1974

Main article: List of foreign ministers of Greece

References

References

1. [https://84.205.194.219/hrstatistics/pub/v_sys_years_list.php Αnnual statistical data] (el)
2. (21 July 2016). "Πόσοι υπάλληλοι υπηρετούν ανά υπουργείο – Η «ακτινογραφία» του δημοσίου σε πίνακες".
3. [https://minfin.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/%CE%9A%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CF%82-%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%8B%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82-2025_%CE%9F%CE%95.pdf budget for 2025]
4. https://200years.mfa.gr/en/diplomatic-consular-relations-en/
5. [https://search.et.gr/en/simple-search/ Government Gazette, FEK A6/1863]
6. (28 May 2020). "Νέος Οργανισμός του υπουργείου Εξωτερικών - Οι αρμοδιότητες".