What is a foreign minister?
Q: What is a foreign minister?
A: A foreign minister is a person in a government whose job is to negotiate with leaders in other countries.
Q: How do the powers of a foreign minister vary between different governments?
A: In a general parliamentary system, a foreign minister forms foreign policy. However, when the government has a strong prime minister, the foreign minister may not determine policy himself.
Q: What are some of the diplomatic duties of a foreign minister?
A: Foreign ministers are traditionally responsible for hosting foreign world leaders and going on state visits to other countries. They also generally travel more than any other cabinet member.
Q: What is the title of the UK's top diplomat?
A: The United Kingdom's top diplomat is called the 'Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' (or Foreign Secretary for short).
Q: What was the title before 1968?
A: Before 1968, this position was called 'Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs', which only handled relations with non-Commonwealth countries. Relations with Commonwealth countries and colonies were handled by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs.
Q: What is another common title used to refer to this position?
A: Another common title used to refer to this position is 'minister of foreign relations'.
Q: How is it referred to in Spanish-Speaking Latin American countries?
A: In many Spanish-Speaking Latin American countries, this position is colloquially referred to as canciller (chancellor).
