Moldova joins the Hague Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes
The Republic of Moldova is making progress in aligning itself with international standards for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Our country is committing to the Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which was signed in The Hague in 1907. This document is a crucial part of the global legal framework. The draft law has been approved by Parliament in two readings.
The Convention provides the Republic of Moldova access to international mediation and arbitration mechanisms, particularly in relation to the Transnistrian conflict. Accession to this treaty also signals the maturation of Moldovan diplomacy and the consolidation of the country's neutrality.
By joining the Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of International Conflicts, Moldova becomes a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the oldest international institution dedicated to mediating global disputes.
A legal framework for resolving the conflict on the left bank of the Nistru
Experts believe that joining the Convention strengthens Moldova's position in managing the Transnistrian conflict and improves its relationships with international partners.
“Accession to the Convention enables the Republic of Moldova to access international mediation and arbitration mechanisms, along with international expertise. This will help initiate a process of pacification in our Eastern region by fostering dialogue with various population groups on the left bank of the Nistru. The aim is to find common ground that would facilitate the country's peaceful reunification,” says expert Mihai Isac.
According to him, this step enhances the country’s neutrality status. Isac argues that Moldova's accession to the Convention only reinforces the nation's commitment to neutrality and, although it may seem delayed, it is a testament to the maturity of Moldovan diplomacy.
He also points out that previous governments, which were aligned with Moscow, avoided such initiatives.
Moldova among the last in Europe to join
The Hague Convention on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes was adopted on October 18, 1907, revising the original document from 1899. Currently, 124 states have joined the Convention, including all European Union member states. Only the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina have not yet become parties to the treaty on the European continent.
The draft stipulates that Moldova will join the Convention with one exception: it will not apply to entities not recognized by the country, such as Kosovo.
