The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova is the central government body responsible for formulating and implementing the country's foreign policy. It oversees diplomatic relations with foreign states and international organizations, represents national interests globally, and provides consular protection to Moldovan citizens abroad. Although its roots date back to a Soviet-era predecessor established in 1944, the modern ministry was formally founded on June 6, 1990, as Moldova established an independent diplomatic service prior to declaring full independence.