An initial parliamentary vote signals a major shift in Moldova’s foreign policy. Lawmakers will debate the final decision in a second reading amid diplomatic debate.
The Parliament of Moldova voted in the first reading to denounce the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the corresponding protocol, and the organization’s charter. This decision was recorded during the plenary session and aimed at reviewing Moldova’s participation within the CIS.
The initiator of the step was the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agency justified the decision by stating that the values and fundamental principles of the CIS are not being respected, in particular the provision on recognition and mutual respect for territorial integrity and existing borders.
Documents for consideration by parliament were submitted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi.
Popșoi stressed that the principles underlying the creation of the CIS are violated by Russia, which is waging war against Ukraine, carries out aggression against Georgia, and illegally maintains armed formations on Moldova’s territory. In addition, the denunciation of the Agreement is seen as a natural and inevitable step on Moldova’s path to EU membership.
Economic and Legal Consequences
It is noted that after the denunciation Moldova’s state budget will save about 3.1 million lei (approximately US$177,000), which currently constitutes the annual contribution to the CIS budget.
Relations with CIS member countries after denunciation will continue on bilateral and multilateral platforms, and Moldova will remain a participant in a number of the organization’s agreements, primarily in the trade, economic and social spheres.
Further Steps and the History of the Process
The draft will be brought up for discussion in the second reading, according to the government’s material.
Over the past two years Moldova has initiated a large-scale review of the relevance and application of treaties concluded within the CIS framework. Currently, of the organization’s 283 agreements, 71 have been denounced, about 60 are under consideration.
On March 11 the government decided to begin the process of final withdrawal from the statutory bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States – the parliament must give consent to the denunciation of the basic documents. Such steps indicate changes in the country’s foreign policy and an orientation toward further development of European integration prospects.