- Popsoi says Moldova has launched procedures to complete its official withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States

ISTANBUL

Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said that the issue of a potential reunification with neighboring Romania can only move forward if supported by a majority of the country’s citizens.

In an interview with public radio broadcaster Radio Moldova on Monday, Popsoi said a decision on such an issue is “not a simple one,” adding that if it were, it would have already been taken.

“As long as there is no majority of citizens who support this desire for union, in a democratic context, such a decision can only be made by a broad majority of citizens, regardless of the desire or vote of one politician or another,” Popsoi said. He added, however, that the answer to such a question would be “self-evident” for Moldovans who hold Romanian citizenship.

He further said that such decisions can only be taken in “complicated moments,” particularly when there are threats to the country’s citizens, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Popsoi expressed that Moldova does not want Russia to reach its borders, stating hope that international partners, as well as Moscow and Kyiv, reach an agreement to establish a sustainable peace, referring to the nearly four-year Ukraine war.

The foreign minister’s remarks come as Moldovan President Maia Sandu said early last week that she would vote for reunification with Romania should there be a referendum on the topic.

“Look at what’s happening around Moldova today. Look at what’s happening in the world. It is getting more and more difficult for a small country like Moldova to survive as a democracy, as a sovereign country, and of course to resist Russia,” she said, while acknowledging the lack of a majority to support such a move.

During his interview with Radio Moldova, Popsoi also said that the country has begun the process of denouncing three key agreements with the CIS, namely the organization’s charter signed in 1993, the 1991 deal on the CIS’ establishment, as well as its annex.

“With the denunciation of these three fundamental agreements, the Republic of Moldova will no longer be officially part of the CIS,” Popsoi said, noting the country has legally been a member of the organization despite already suspending its participation in it.

Popsoi further said that he expects the processes in government will be completed by mid-February, after which a decision will be made by parliament.

“But we have started this process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have submitted the documents for approval,” he went on to say.

He noted that Moldova has signed 283 agreements with the CIS in total, with 71 deals having been denounced and about 60 others being in the process of denunciation.

He added some agreements will not be denounced as long they do not contradict Moldova’s European aspiration and if they bring certain benefits to the country’s citizens.

The CIS was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote cooperation in economic, political, and security affairs.

Its full members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, while Turkmenistan holds associate membership. Moldova suspended its participation in CIS meetings in 2022.