Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (Spain)

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Palacio de Santa Cruz (Madrid), Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.

The Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (Spanish: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación) is the the departament of Government of Spain responsible for Spain's foreign relations. The present incumbent of the office is Miguel Ángel Moratinos of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español.

The official mission statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain is: ^[1]

To plan, direct, execute and evaluate Spain's external policies.
To co-ordinate and improve Spain's relations with other nations and with international organisations.
To promote the economic, cultural and scientific relations of Spain.
To develop Spain's economic, cultural and scientific relationships with other nations.
To direct the International Co-Operation Policy on Development.
To protect Spanish citizens in foreign areas and to participate in the proposal and implementation of external policy.

Subordinate to the Ministry, there are several Secretaries of State within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for distinct areas of policy (e.g. the Secretary of State for Latin America).

The Spanish Foreign Ministry coordinates with the Royal Household of the king on diplomatic engagements internationally. Additionally, the The Minister of Foreign Affairs is by law the Chancellor of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, an Order given both to Spanish citizens and foreigners whom Spain considers praiseworthy. The king remains the patron of the Order.