It is in December of 1920 that a Bylaw of the Second Congress of the Belarusian Soviets established the People's Commission for Foreign Affairs. Following the formation of the USSR in 1922, its remit authorized only the Union to represent the Soviet republics internationally.

 

On February 1, 1944, a law was passed by the Supreme Council of the USSR to grant powers to the Union republics in foreign policy delivery. The USSR People's Commission for Foreign Affairs changed its status from the “All-Union” to the “Union and Republic”. The law empowered the Union republics to establish direct ties with foreign countries, enter into international agreements, and exchange diplomatic and consular missions. 24 March 1944 saw the creation of the People's Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1944, its structure included political, protocol and consular, personnel, and administration divisions and employed 27 people.

 

Following Decree of the Board of the Supreme Soviet of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic of 26 March 1946 and Bylaw of the People's Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic of 27 March 1946, the People's Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic was transformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. As part of its remit, the Ministry promoted the Belarusian foreign policy and external economic interests, represented Belarus internationally in relations with foreign countries, and carried out consular and protocol responsibilities. Another Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic (adopted 26 March 1958) established the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations.

 

1961 saw the adoption of the guidelines for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. The major goals stipulated therein for the Foreign Ministry included the implementation of the USSR foreign policy, peace maintaining and safeguarding based on the principle of peaceful co-existence of states regardless of their social system, and protection of rights and interests of the USSR, the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet organizations and people wherever they were concerned internationally.

 

From 19 September 1991, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic changed its title to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (as per law of the Republic of Belarus passed by the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus of the twelfth convocation on 19 September 1991). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was thereby assigned to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

 

The current guidelines and regulations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus were enforced by Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 978 of 31 July 2006 (in Russian only).

 

As of now (January 2008), the Republic of Belarus has diplomatic relations established with 162 countries, the Order of Malta and the European Communities included. Of those countries, 46 are hosting countries to 59 diplomatic missions of the Republic of Belarus. The above missions include 45 Embassies, 6 Permanent Delegations to the International Organizations, 7 Consulates General and 1 Consulate. A few Belarusian Embassies have 12 branches elsewhere.