Established on 2 May 1920, its primary duties are administering diplomatic missions, negotiating international treaties and agreements, and representing the Republic of Turkey at the United Nations.

[2] The ministry is headquartered in the Turkish capital of Ankara[3] and counts on more than 200 missions as embassies, permanent representation offices and consulates general, abroad.

The Ministry oversees Turkey's diplomatic missions abroad, which include embassies, consulates, and representative offices in over 200 countries and territories.

Turkish embassies, consulates-general, permanent representatives, and trade offices are semi-detached from the central organization.

An ambassador would also be the chief of the sole Turkish trade office abroad in the Republic of China (Taiwan).