Moldova has finally left the CIS: what does this mean?

The Parliament of Moldova has decided to withdraw from the statutory bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

This was reported by the press service of the country’s parliament.

The deputies denounced the agreement on the creation of the CIS, the corresponding protocol, and the organization’s charter.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the decision by saying that the CIS principles no longer work. It is about mutual recognition of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

Chisinau emphasizes: Russia, which remains a member of the organization, is waging war against Ukraine, has previously carried out aggression against Georgia, and illegally maintains troops in Transnistria. Under such conditions, further participation in the CIS has lost its meaning.

After leaving, Moldova will save about 3.1 million lei each year, which it previously paid into the organization’s budget.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called this decision a step towards European integration and rapprochement with the European Union.

At the same time, the country does not stop cooperating with individual CIS states – it will continue interaction at the bilateral and multilateral levels and will remain a party to some agreements, in particular in the economic and social spheres.

Previously, Moldova had already denounced about 70 agreements within the CIS.