Moldova withdraws from CIS agreement on human trafficking

The Moldovan government has denounced the Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons, Human Organs and Tissues, signed under the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on 25 November 2005, following a government meeting broadcast on the Cabinet of Ministers’ website.

Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin, who presented the draft decision, said it was linked to Moldova’s commitment to its European path, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Currently, efforts to combat human trafficking rely on more up-to-date international instruments, including the Council of Europe Convention and cooperation mechanisms with European partners and Interpol. Accordingly, we are withdrawing from an agreement that no longer reflects current realities and mechanisms,” the minister noted.

The decision will enter into force once it is officially published.

Moldova previously withdrew from the CIS’ founding agreements and began denouncing other agreements as well. The country is formally due to leave the Commonwealth in April 2027.

Moldova has expressed its intention to remain a party to 17 CIS agreements.

In practice, Moldova’s membership in the CIS has been largely nominal in recent years. Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to the country as one of those that “are listed, but do not operate within the format”. The Kremlin has previously made clear that the Commonwealth has demonstrated its usefulness to member states over many years.

Moldova’s stance towards the CIS began to change after Maia Sandu won the presidential election in 2020. She declared a course towards European Union integration and stopped attending Commonwealth summits.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov