PHOTO // Moldova signs new legal instruments of Council of Europe

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi today signed more international treaties aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of justice, personal data protection and audiovisual co-productions in serial format. The ceremony took place at the event dedicated to the signing of Council of Europe (CoE) treaties, held on the sidelines of the meeting of the CoE Committee of Ministers, in the presence of the organization’s Secretary General, Alain Berset.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), the Third Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed. Its purpose is to simplify and speed up international judicial cooperation, by expanding the use of modern means of communication for hearing individuals. At the same time, it facilitates direct contacts between judicial authorities and strengthens cooperation in cross-border investigations.

The Council of Europe Convention on the Co-production of Audiovisual Works in the Form of Series was also signed. It establishes a common legal framework for encouraging international co-productions of audiovisual series, promotes European cultural diversity, cross-border cooperation, the exchange of experience and resources, as well as partnerships between producers from different states. The document also sets uniform standards for the recognition of official co-productions,by ensuring a clear and predictable regime of cooperation between the States Parties.

During the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi presented to the CoE Secretary General the instrument of ratification of the Protocol amending the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, signed in Strasbourg on 9 February 2023. It introduces clearer rules regarding the processing of sensitive data, strengthens data protection standards, regulates the cross-border transfer of data to other states or international organizations and addresses the challenges posed by technological developments and cyber security.

Today, Moldova is hosting the 135th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The meeting marks the end of the country’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, exercised as of  November 14, 2025 till May 15, 2026, under the motto “For a Europe of peace and resilience”. This is the second term held by Moldova since its accession to the Council of Europe, the first having been exercised in 2003.