The government of Moldova has launched the procedure for the country’s final withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Moldova had previously withdrawn from several agreements concluded within the framework of the organization. Now the government is initiating the denunciation of the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS, signed in Minsk in 1991, as well as its 1993 protocol.
“This decision was taken in the context of the Russian Federation’s failure to comply with the fundamental values and principles of the Commonwealth, under which states recognize and respect each other’s territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
The Russian Federation has repeatedly violated these principles — the act of aggression against Georgia, the brutal war against Ukraine, the occupation and annexation of territories of these countries, and the illegal deployment of Russian troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. These actions have undermined the role of the CIS as an organization intended to maintain peace and stability in the region.
At the same time, this decision reflects the new strategic directions and priorities of the Republic of Moldova as a candidate country for accession to the European Union,” the government said in a statement.
The statement also notes that withdrawal from the CIS statutory bodies will allow Moldova to save 3.1 million lei in membership contributions, about 180,000 dollars at the current exchange rate. The government emphasized that leaving the CIS will hardly affect the free movement of Moldovan citizens, as this is largely regulated by bilateral agreements. Withdrawal from the statutory agreements will also not affect CIS agreements that bring economic benefits to the country.
“The Republic of Moldova will continue to apply useful agreements, including in the field of trade, as long as they serve the economic interests of the state,” the statement said.
According to the government, Moldova has already denounced 71 of the 283 agreements concluded within the CIS framework. The termination of another 60 agreements is currently under consideration.
