Moldova starts process of withdrawing from CIS Interparliamentary Assembly

CHISINAU. June 27 (Interfax) - Moldova has launched the procedure for withdrawing from the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the decision is expected to be adopted within a month, Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said.

"We have started the process of withdrawal from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. Naturally, we will have to abide by certain judicial procedures. The draft decision is in the government. We are waiting for its conclusion. The process has been launched. This issue is already being discussed. The draft decision will be submitted to the parliament for debate in the near future. We want to hold a vote on the denunciation of the agreement on the establishment of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly as soon as possible, by the end of this parliamentary session," Grosu told the TVR-Moldova television channel.

When commenting on possible withdrawal from other agreements and the termination of Moldova's relations with the CIS, Grosu said that "the government and the Foreign Ministry are analyzing the entire legislative framework, all agreements signed by Moldova within the CIS."

"Obviously, it is a more lengthy process. In some cases, we will have to confirm the existence of bilateral treaties with certain CIS states and also initiate the signing of such agreements," he said.

Moldova recalled its permanent representative to the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in February 2023.

Also in February, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu said that Moldova had started withdrawing from several dozen agreements signed as part of the CIS. According to Popescu, the country is a party to some 330 CIS agreements, many of which require a review. In May, the Moldovan parliament made a final decision on quitting the agreement on establishing the Mir interstate television and radio company.