Moldova not quitting CIS but has virtually suspended participation - FM

CHISINAU. Nov 29 (Interfax) - While Moldova is not quitting the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), it has virtually suspended its participation in the organization's work, Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu said.

"Moldova has suspended its participation in regular meetings within the CIS framework and has sent a very clear message about its absolute disagreement with the trends observed within its environment. Integration with and accession to the European Union remains our absolute priority," Popescu said in an interview published on the NordNews.md website on Tuesday.

Popescu noted at the same time that, from the legal standpoint, Moldova's CIS membership is not inconsistent with its European integration course.

"This discrepancy is more symbolic in nature. Formal affiliation with the post-Soviet area bears a certain symbolic imprint, which many of our citizens don't like," he said.

Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said earlier that Moldova's withdrawal from the CIS was not under consideration. At the same time, Moldova has not taken part in any CIS events this year, including the recent CIS summit.