The Republic of Moldova is withdrawing from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) after the Parliament voted to denounce the CIS Establishment Agreement and Statute.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the procedure, arguing that the CIS fails to respect its fundamental values and principles. Moldova accuses Russia of violating regulations that require member states to uphold territorial integrity and the inviolability of existing borders, citing Russia’s wars in Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine.
“The denunciation of the CIS Agreement is a natural and inevitable action in pursuit of our goal of European Union (EU) accession. The CIS Establishment Agreement and its Protocol were signed in December 1991 by 11 former Soviet states, including Moldova. They formalized the dissolution of the USSR and created the CIS. The CIS Statute, signed in 1993, sets the basic principles on which the Community is founded,” the press service of the Moldovan Parliament stated.
Authorities in Chisinau said that the denunciation will save the state budget approximately 3.1 million lei annually, representing Moldova’s yearly contribution to the CIS. They added that Moldova will maintain relations with member states on bilateral and multilateral platforms and will remain a party to several treaties, particularly in economic, commercial, and social sectors.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zaharova said that Chisinau cannot unilaterally decide which agreements to maintain and that all CIS member states must approve any final decisions.
After Russia attacked Ukraine, Moldova began reviewing its CIS agreements and has denounced many documents concluded under the Community. Of the 283 agreements, Moldova has already denounced 71 and is reviewing around 60, according to previous parliamentary reports.