Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Moldova)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerul Afacerilor Externe) is one of the fourteen ministries of the Government of Moldova.

Pre-history
The ministry was established on 1 February 1944, as the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the Moldavian SSR. It would later be renamed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the MSSR on 27 March 1946.

He following have served as the foreign ministers of the Moldavian SSR:
 * Gherasim Rudi (12 July 1944 – 19 July 1946)
 * Alexandru Diordiță (23 January 1958 – 15 April 1970)
 * Petru Pascari (24 April 1970 – 1 August 1976)
 * Semion Grossu (1 September 1976 – 31 December 1980)
 * Ion Ustian (31 December 1980 – 29 December 1981)
 * Petru Comendant (29 December 1981 – 24 May 1990)

The Council of People's Commissars in subsequent decades, exercised leadership in the MSSR's foreign relations with foreign nations. At the same time, the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs was often concurrent with the post of Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) of the Republic. During its existence, Moldova had representatives only in the Hungarian People's Republic, with the entire apparatus only consisting then of several people. The highest recognition the ministry received was on 23 November 1983, when Foreign Minister Comendant spoke at a meeting of the UN General Assembly. According to the 1978 Soviet Moldovan Constitution, the international rights of the MSSR were reduced in comparison with the amendments of 1944.

Modern ministry
The ministry was converted into its current form on 31 August 1989. According to Constitution of Moldova (1994), the structure of the Government is determined by organic law. The office of Foreign Minister is one of the most high-profile positions in the Government of Moldova.

Structure
The following subdivisions are part of the MFA:

Public Relations Department
 * State Diplomatic Protocol (SDP)
 * Press Service
 * European Integration Directorate
 * Section for Political Cooperation with the European Union
 * Section for Economic and Sectoral Cooperation
 * Regional Cooperation Section
 * Directorate for Bilateral Cooperation
 * Western, Central and South Eastern Europe Section
 * North and South America Section
 * Asia, Africa, Middle and Pacific Section
 * Eastern Europe and Central Asia Section
 * Economic Diplomacy Service
 * Multilateral Cooperation Directorate
 * UN Section and Specialized Agencies Section
 * NATO Section and Political-Military Cooperation Section
 * Council of Europe and Human Rights Section
 * OSCE and International Security Section
 * Directorate of International Law
 * Multilateral Treatment Section
 * Bilateral Section
 * Legal Affairs Section
 * Consular Business Directory
 * Consular Relations Section
 * Consular Section
 * Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Section
 * Internal Audit Service
 * Special Problems Service
 * Directorate for Institutional Management
 * Document Management Section and State Diplomatic Archives
 * Budget and Finance Section
 * Human Resources Section
 * Information and Communication Technology Service
 * Diplomatic Institute

Duties

 * Ensures the sovereign rights of the Republic of Moldova in international relations.
 * Promotes Moldova's foreign policy in relations with other states and international organizations.
 * Informs the President, Parliament and Government on major international events, and make proposals on Moldova's position towards them.
 * Negotiates on behalf of the Republic of Moldova and participate in negotiating treaties and international agreements.
 * Directs and controls the activity of diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Moldova to other countries and international organizations.
 * Analyses internal and external situation of countries with which Moldova has diplomatic relations, identifies and evaluates development opportunities of trade and economic relations with these countries.
 * Cooperates with the central specialized bodies and other structures of government in external economic relations and promotion of the state's unified policy externally.