It is: The FPS' concrete contribution to its mission is evident from a number of initiatives: The foreign affairs ministry of Belgium was established during the first Regency Government, on 26 February 1831.

From the outset, the ministry's powers were focused on areas that still occupy an important place today: “political affairs”, “foreign trade” and “consulates”.

In 2000, the Copernicus Reform led to a change in terminology: the "ministry" became a "federal public service", headed by a chairman of the executive committee" and no longer a secretary-general.

The central government is structured as follows: The Directorate General for Bilateral Affairs (DGB) defends Belgian interests in and in respect of other countries.

[5] The Directorate General for European Affairs and Coordination is responsible for preparing, defining, representing, managing and monitoring Belgian policy on Europe.

The DGE is at the heart of the Belgian decision-making process, in consultation with the federal institutions and the regional and community authorities, so that Belgium can speak with one voice on the European stage.

Finally, the DGJ plays a key role in relation to treaties, which are by definition international, both during the negotiation and signature process and during the approval procedure by the various Parliaments.

The DGM is also responsible for maintaining the coherence of Belgium's multilateral policy through consultation with other federal bodies, the regions and communities and civil society organisations.

50 FPS staff members are in the ‘special situation’ category, due to secondment to an international institution or leave on assignment.

Finally, the Protocol Directorate provides services for maintaining official relations between the Belgian State and the foreign diplomatic representations established in Belgium.

It monitors the application of the Vienna Conventions on diplomatic and consular exchanges, as well as the ‘headquarters agreements’ between Belgium and the international organisations that are established or represented in this country.

The Protocol Directorate is also responsible for the reception of prominent foreign dignitaries, the organisation of events at the Egmont Palace and the granting of noble favours and honours in the national orders.

The Belgian embassies in Bangkok (Thailand) and Nairobi (Kenya) and the consulates-general in New York (United States) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were among the subjects discussed.

In 5 episodes, produced in collaboration with the FPS Foreign Affairs, the series offered a look behind the scenes of Belgian diplomacy in a number of key positions, including New York (United Nations), Brussels (European Union), Bamako (Mali) and Beijing (China).