Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established by Article 84 of the National Constitution of May 1, 1853, making it one of the first five ministries in Argentina. Law 80 of 1856, in its second article, defined its responsibilities as follows: maintaining the Confederation’s political and commercial relations with foreign nations; fostering friendly relations and good understanding with foreign governments; and receiving diplomatic ministers, consuls, and other commercial agents. It was also tasked with matters concerning the drafting, observance, interpretation, and execution of all types of treaties, concordats, or other agreements with foreign powers. Furthermore, the Ministry was responsible for publishing declarations of war or other official statements intended for foreign audiences; appointing diplomatic, consular, or commercial agents abroad—as well as all individuals serving in the realm of Argentine foreign relations—and issuing their instructions. Finally, it was charged with addressing territorial issues between the Confederation and neighboring nations, ensuring the observance of the guarantees and rights granted to foreigners under the Constitution, and managing correspondence with national and provincial authorities regarding foreign affairs. In October 1898, Law No. 3727 added the area of ​​"Worship" (religious affairs) to the Ministry’s mandate, leading to its renaming as the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship." The functions of this new area involved maintaining the link between the State and the Roman Catholic Church—encompassing concordats, the patronato (state patronage) regarding the establishment of bishoprics, and all matters concerning ecclesiastical chapters, religious orders, and seminaries. It also covered religious missions among Indigenous populations, as well as all matters related to pious institutions, public charitable or benevolent organizations, and subsidies for churches, hospitals, orphanages, and various charitable or religious societies and corporations. The decree for the reorganization of the Ministry, dated December 29, 1900, established a section for "Private Affairs, Charity, and Religious Worship," which was tasked with the following: correspondence with authorities of the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, as well as matters pertaining to charity; the negotiation of concordats; issues regarding state patronage and the establishment of bishoprics; matters concerning ecclesiastical chapters, religious orders, and seminaries; religious missions among Indigenous populations; all affairs related to pious institutions and public charitable or benevolent organizations, including subsidies for churches, hospitals, orphanages, and charitable or religious societies or corporations; and the National Charity Lottery. Between 1947 and 1948, documentation concerning hospital and social assistance services was transferred to the Secretariat of Public Health, as these matters fell under its jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the core functions of the Foreign Ministry have endured over time, even as its internal structure has diversified and its network of overseas missions has expanded significantly. Through Law No. Under Law No. 24,190, published on January 13, 1993, the ministry assumed responsibility for economic and trade affairs within its jurisdiction, and its name was changed to “Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship.” In 2000, the “White Helmets” Commission—the successor body to the White Helmets Secretariat for International Humanitarian Assistance—was placed under its purview. On December 7, 2011, via Decree 2082/2011, the administration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner transferred the management of international trade to the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, and the ministry reverted to its former name: “Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.” In 2019, through Emergency Decree (DNU) No. 7/2019, President Alberto Fernández restored the name “Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship.”

Principal office: Capital Federal (Argentina). Scope of jurisdiction: all countries where the Argentine Republic maintains a diplomatic and/or consular representation.

National Executive Branch Agency - Central Administration.

Conducts the foreign relations of the Argentine Republic through a network of diplomatic and consular missions worldwide. - Represents the Argentine Republic before foreign governments and international organizations. - Protects and assists Argentine citizens abroad, while strengthening ties with them. - Maintains relations with all religious organizations operating within the Argentine Republic. - Participates in the formulation of policies concerning the Argentine Republic’s relations with the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. - Defines and implements the objectives that guide Argentina’s foreign policy across the following areas: Consular: Acts as a representative for national state agencies abroad, facilitating legal and administrative procedures; provides assistance, support, guidance, and care to Argentine citizens abroad in situations such as accidents, illnesses, deaths, detentions, or the loss or theft of documentation, among other contingencies. Political: Formulates and directs Argentina’s participation in regional integration processes and international organizations, with a focus on issues of global interest. Legal: Manages international treaties and addresses disputes and matters related to international judicial assistance, such as letters rogatory and extradition requests. Economic and Commercial: Formulates and conducts economic negotiations within regional integration processes, as well as bilateral and multilateral economic negotiations. Manages the foreign commercial service and contributes to policies for the development of productive foreign investment. International Cooperation: Coordinates and facilitates interaction between national ministries and agencies and their foreign counterparts. Cultural: Promotes and disseminates Argentina’s image globally through the arts and culture.

2.6 Attributions / Legal sources [Legal sources]

Currently, the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship is as follows: - Cabinet of Advisors Unit; Secretariat for Coordination and Foreign Policy Planning; Secretariat for Foreign Affairs - Undersecretariat for Foreign Policy - Undersecretariat for American Affairs; Secretariat for the Malvinas, Antarctica, Oceanic Policy, and the South Atlantic; Secretariat for International Economic Relations - Undersecretariat for International Economic Negotiations and Integration - Undersecretariat for the Promotion of Exports, Investments, Education, Science, and Culture; Secretariat for Worship.