Government initiates Moldova's withdrawal from statutory bodies of CIS

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the initiation of the procedure for the withdrawal of the Republic of Moldova from the statutory bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), by denouncing the organization’s founding agreements. These are the Agreement establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed in Minsk on 8 December 1991, the Protocol to this Agreement of 21 December 1991, as well as the CIS Charter adopted in Minsk on 22 January 1993.

The decision comes in the context of the Russian Federation’s failure to respect the Community’s fundamental values and principles, under which the states mutually recognize and respect territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

The Russian Federation has regularly violated these principles: the act of aggression against Georgia, the brutal war against Ukraine, the occupation and annexation of the territories of these countries, and the illegal stationing of Russian military troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. These actions have undermined the role of the CIS as an organization meant to maintain peace and stability in the region.

At the same time, the decision reflects the new strategic orientations and priorities of the Republic of Moldova as a candidate state for accession to the European Union.

The withdrawal from the statutory bodies of the CIS will allow savings of 3.1 million lei annually from the state budget, money that currently represents the membership contribution. At the same time, the free movement of citizens of the Republic of Moldova in CIS states will not be affected, as it is largely regulated by bilateral agreements that remain in force.

The denunciation of the founding treaties will also not affect those CIS agreements that bring economic benefits to the country. The Republic of Moldova will continue to apply useful treaties, including in the commercial field, as long as they serve the state’s economic interests.

In the last two years, our country has launched a broad process to examine the relevance and applicability of treaties concluded within the CIS. So far, out of 283 CIS agreements, 71 have already been denounced, and approximately 60 are under review.