Following Poland: Moldova exits CFE Treaty
Photo: Moldova withdraws from the CFE Treaty (Gretty Images)
On Friday, April 12, the Moldovan Parliament approved the final reading of the suspension of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). According to the document, such a decision was made taking into account the fundamental change of circumstances since the signing of the treaty, the Moldovan Parliament reported.
"The Republic of Moldova suspends the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, signed in Paris on November 19, 1990, but retains the opportunity to return to its implementation in the future," the document says.
The decision was adopted by the votes of 53 deputies from the Action and Solidarity Party.
After final approval by lawmakers, this decision must be approved by the country's president. It will come into force 150 days after the depositary and the state parties receive notification.
What is known about the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
The CFE Treaty was signed in 1990 and adopted in 1997. NATO countries have not ratified the adapted version of this document, continuing to adhere to the 1990 provisions, which contain conventional arms standards based on the balance between the alliance and the now-disbanded Warsaw Pact Organization.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed the law on denunciation of the CFE Treaty on May 29, 2023, and it came into force on June 9.
The purpose of the Treaty
The explanatory note states that the purpose of the treaty was to reduce the conventional offensive arms available to NATO member states and former Warsaw Pact countries at the time of its conclusion and then to maintain them at a specified level.
The commitments relate to five categories of conventional armed forces: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft, and attack helicopters
On March 29, Poland finally suspended its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.
