Chisinau initiates denunciation of Russian Cultural Centers Agreement

The Russian cultural center in the Republic of Moldova was used as a tool for influence and propaganda, claims Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan. Thus, the Government has voted and initiated the process of denouncing the Agreement with the Russian Federation regarding the operation of cultural centers, signed in Moscow on October 30, 1998, and effective as of July 4, 2001. The decision is to be approved by Parliament and promulgated by the president.

The initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Culture at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to cease the legal effects of the agreement and eliminate an instrument of Russian propaganda from the country's territory.


“The Russian Cultural Center was by no means cultural, it was a center under the cover of which activities to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova were conducted. We note that the agreement was concluded for a term of 5 years from its entry into force and is automatically extended for successive periods of 5 years unless one of the parties notifies in writing the other parties of the intention to denounce it. Six months before the term expires, we will notify the Russian side. With this initiative, we are getting rid of a propaganda tool that was operating legally,” said Jardan.


Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said “this is a welcome initiative that we have long anticipated.”

The authorities emphasize that, in the current context, continuing the application of the Agreement could be used by the Russian Federation to promote distorted narratives, and the Republic of Moldova does not have a cultural center on Russian territory.

The denunciation of the Agreement will not involve financial or economic consequences, legislative changes, or reorganization of existing structures, and the legal effects will cease once the decision is adopted by Parliament and promulgated by the president.