On Thursday, the Moldovan Parliament voted to formally dissolve its Agreement on the Establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), along with its accompanying protocol and statute. This decision was announced with an official statement from the Parliament. Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) initiated the withdrawal from the CIS. In a vote among 101 members, 60 supported the withdrawal, while members of the Communist Party and the Socialist Party expressed opposition, citing potential adverse effects on the nation’s economy.
The legislation now awaits President Maia Sandu‘s signature. After her approval, the MFA will submit the relevant documents to the CIS Executive Committee. Moldova’s withdrawal from the CIS will become effective 12 months later.
The Ministry stated that the CIS’s core values, particularly mutual recognition of territorial integrity, have been ignored. Consequently, this exit supports Moldova’s goal of joining the European Union.
To date, Moldova has terminated approximately 70 agreements with the CIS to modernise its legal and economic framework in line with European Union standards. The CIS is an intergovernmental organisation established to facilitate economic and diplomatic relations among former Soviet republics.
