The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the German Democratic Republic (, abbreviated MfAA) was a government body of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) that existed from 1949 to 1990. It had its seat at Schinkelplatz in Berlin-Mitte. A new building was constructed in 1964âÂÂ1967 and used by the foreign ministry, but demolished in 1996 after German reunification.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs was led by the Foreign Minister of the German Democratic Republic and a number of deputies. However, the Foreign Minister had less actual influence over the foreign policy than the central committee secretary for foreign policy in the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. As a de facto subordinate position, the Foreign Minister could be a member of some of the block parties in East Germany.
The West German counterpart to the Ministry was the Federal Foreign Office. The office still serves as the current German foreign ministry, considering itself to be the direct continuation of the Foreign Office of the North German Confederation, established in 1870.
The foreign ministry of the German Democratic Republic was responsible for foreign relations, the conclusion of international treaties, and the management of the diplomatic service. It was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of ministers and state secretaries. However, the Foreign Minister was subordinate to the Secretary for Foreign Relations in the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, a role in which Hermann Axen served between 1966 and 1989.