Moldovan parliament denounces three more agreements with Commonwealth of Independent States: citizens of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan to need visas to enter Moldova

Moldova will denounce three agreements concluded with member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as part of a process to modernize national legislation and align with European Union standards. The draft laws, developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, were voted on in the first reading in parliament.

One of the agreements targeted is the one concerning visa-free travel for CIS citizens, signed in Bishkek in 1992. The denunciation of this agreement will directly affect citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, who will need a visa to enter Moldova.

State Secretary Mihai Mitu said that the decision to denounce the visa-free travel agreement was inevitable:

“The European Commission has recommended that we adjust Moldova's visa policy to the list of third countries that pose risks in terms of illegal migration or security.”

The official added that the denunciation of the agreement would have a direct effect on citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

“In the negotiation process with these two countries, we propose concluding bilateral agreements for the mutual abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.”

Referring to the history of negotiations, Mitu specified that “since 2004, these states have been proposed to conclude bilateral agreements concerning the mutual abolition of visas, but so far there has been no response on the subject.”

“According to information by border police, as of 2000 till 2025, about 10,748 Kyrgyz citizens entered Moldova, with 54 currently holding residence permits. In the case of Tajikistan, from 2022 to 2025, 16,680 citizens entered, with 117 currently holding residence permits. After the denunciation of the agreement, they will be able to get visas, including through Moldova's electronic visa platform or at diplomatic missions,” the official noted.

The other two agreements targeted for denunciation relate to the principles of levying indirect taxes on the export and import of goods between CIS states (signed in Moscow, 1998) and measures to ensure payments between economic organizations in CIS states (signed in Tashkent, 1992). In all cases, the treaty provisions are considered outdated and inapplicable.

So far, Moldova has denounced 64 CIS treaties, as part of an ongoing process of aligning with European norms and standards.