Moldova has concluded around 280 agreements and treaties within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and some of them need revision, rather than denunciation. This is the opinion of MP Adrian Lebedinschi (BCS), expressed during an IPN debate which discussed the government’s intention to partially withdraw from the CIS agreements.

Adrian Lebedinschi noted that the government has not yet published any list of the agreements to be denounced. But according to him, most of these documents concern economic relations and social aspects. “I don't really see which of them could be denounced. What they need is revision and updating. We have to do an assessment of their potential and of our needs. Let’s not forget that there are at least 500,000 of our compatriots in the CIS and many of them are employed there as well. Many of them have dual citizenship with the CIS countries. We have to make sure their social rights are recognized”, said the opposition parliamentarian.

Regarding the agreements on diplomatic relations and border crossing, the parliamentarian insists that they must remain in force: “I don't even see the point of talking about it. We must fight for our citizens to be able to travel without visas in as wider a space as possible. As with crossing borders, we must take care that our carriers, our economic operators, but also our citizens can cross them easily”.

Other cooperation aspects could be harmed as well, goes on Adrian Lebedinschi, for example, the fight against organized crime or the extradition and identification of criminals. “We have to think twice about what we wish for. If this is some kind of political stunt, if the government really needs to show people that it’s withdrawing from something, they better find an agreement that does not pose any threat”, said the BCS deputy.

The debate was the 276th installment of the “Political Culture” Series, run by IPN with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.