France was again the first country which initiated a specific department responsible from the foreign policy. In Ancien Régime, Henry III initiated a department and gave the sole responsibility in foreign policy to a specific department under the government as early as 1589. Yet, it should be noted that this department was far from a ministerial structure compared to modern ministries of foreign affairs. In fact, religious affairs were the dominant theme in the agenda of this department, as it was in contact mainly with the authorities in Vatican. In fact, almost all of the personnel working in this department were coming from a clergy background. Famous Cardinal Richelieu made certain reforms in 1630s to restructure this department in a more organized manner. However, the emergence of a ministry as a modern department of foreign affairs had to wait until the overthrow of the Ancien Régime. Still, France was earlier than other European states to initiate a ministry whose sole responsibility was to conduct foreign policy.