The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is responsible for the functions and tasks of the State in matters concerning political, economic, social and cultural relations with other countries. In performing its tasks the Ministry ensures that the international and European activities of other government departments are consistent with Italy’s international policy objectives.

The Foreign Ministry’s main sectors of intervention are:

• International relations (most notably in strengthening Italy’s relations with the emerging economies, enhancing its contribution to international security and contributing to the country’s energy security);

• Representing the Italian position in the European integration process (especially in implementing the European common foreign and security policy and in the European Union’s foreign political and economic relations);

• Supporting Italian businesses (dealing with economic-commercial questions, promoting the “Made in Italy” brand, and supporting the international dimension of Italian businesses);

• Promoting the Italian language and culture abroad (through Italian schools, study grants offered to foreign nationals, language courses organised by the Italian Cultural Institutes, and archaeological missions);

• Italians abroad (through the consular “register office”, protection and assistance for residents and tourists, intervention in emergencies, consular services, assistance for Italian prisoners abroad, and assistance in child abduction cases);

• Visas for entry to Italy (visas may be issued on tourism, business, employment, family reunification, education and transport grounds);

• Development cooperation (with the double objective of ensuring respect for human dignity and supporting the economic growth of all peoples);
  Communication and information (with the institutions, the media and citizens, by the MFA’s senior political figures, its Press and Institutional Relations Service and the Office for Relations with the Public);

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates through a network of 317 offices worldwide: Embassies, Permanent Representations to the international organisations, Special Diplomatic Delegations, Consulates and Italian Cultural Institutes.
 
The current Minister is Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata.