Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova regarding the legal status, procedure and period for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation Military Units/Formations, temporarily situated in the territory of the Republic of Moldova

• Country/entity

  Moldova
  Russia
  Transdniestria
  
• Region

  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  
• Agreement name

  Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova regarding the legal status, procedure and period for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation Military Units/Formations, temporarily situated in the territory of the Republic of Moldova
• Date

  21 Oct 1994
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) ( Transdniestria War (1992) )
• Stage

  Framework/substantive - partial
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Moldova Transdniestria process
• Parties

  For the Russian Federation: V. Chernomyrdin;
  For the Republic of Moldova: A. Sangeli;
• Third parties

  -
• Description

  Agreement lays out the regulations regarding Russian Units stationed in Moldova, including modalities to remain and identification, rights, specification related to the training and movement of units; the rights of former members of the Russian Federation Military Units to remain and own/sell property and protection for familities members of Russian Military Units.

• Agreement document

  MD_RU_941021_Agreement On Withdrawal Of Russian Units.pdf | Download PDF
• Agreement document (original language)

  MD-RU_911021_AgreementOnWithdrawalOfRussianForces(ru).pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova regarding the legal status, procedure and period for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation Military Units/Formations, temporarily situated in the territory of the Republic of Moldova

The text of the document as amended as of November 2007

The Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova, hereinafter referred to as the Parties, with the participation of representatives of the Transdniestrian region,

Taking into account the new political realities in Europe and around the world, confirming that the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova are sovereign and independent states,

Convinced of the need to build their relations on the principles of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation,

Based on the previously reached agreements between the Parties in the military field,

Acting in accordance with the documents adopted within the framework of the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe, have agreed as follows:

Article 1

For the purposes of this Agreement the following terms mean:

" Russian Federation Military Units" – formations, units, institutions, enterprises and organisations of the Russian Federation Armed Forces temporarily stationed in the territory of The Republic of Moldova;

"Deployment Site" - the territory on which Russian Federation military units are located;

"Immoveable Property" - land, buildings and other constructions intended for ensuring the operation of Russian Federation military units;

"Moveable Property" - all kinds of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, including the necessary means of transport and other tangible assets of the Russian Federation military units;

"Persons included in the composition of the Russian Federation Military Units":

Servicemen in ongoing military service as part of military units;

Civilian personnel serving in the military forces, who are not citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

Individuals seconded to the Russian Federation military units on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, who are not citizens of the Republic of Moldova, have equal status with those who are part of the military forces;

"Family members of persons belonging to military forces"

- Spouses, minors, parents, as well as other persons living together with the persons included in the Russian Federation military units and in the manner prescribed by law as their dependants.

Article 2

The status of Russian Federation Military Units on the territory of the Republic of Moldova is determined by this Agreement.

The presence of Russian Federation military units on Moldova's territory is temporary.

The Russian side shall in accordance with technical capabilities and the time required to arrange the new deployment site for the troops, withdraw these military forces within three years of the date this agreement enters into force.

Practical steps for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation military units from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, within the framework of this deadline will be synchronized with the political settlement of the Transdnestrian conflict and the determination of a special status for the Transdnestrian region of the Republic of Moldova.

The stages and timetable for the complete withdrawal of the Russian Federation military units will be determined by a separate protocol between Ministries of Defence of the Parties.

Article 3

The Russian Federation military units, persons included in their composition, and the members of the families of those persons shall respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, comply with its legislation and not interfere in its internal affairs.

The Republic of Moldova shall respect the legal status of the Russian Federation military units, persons included in their composition, and the members of the families of those persons and will not undertake any action to impede the military forces in their fulfilment of their appointed duties.

The Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure the protection and security of persons and property, including measures for the prevention of unlawful acts against the military forces of the Russian Federation, persons included in their composition and the members of the families of those persons.

Article 4

The number of personnel of the Russian Federation military units on the day of signature of this Agreement shall not increase, and their deployment sites shall be recorded and remain unchanged prior to their withdrawal from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, or entry into force of a relevant agreements between the Parties.

Recruitment of people, residing in the territory of the Republic of Moldova who are not Russian citizens into the ranks of the Russian Federation Military Units is not permitted.

The procedure for recruiting into these military forces is determined by Russian Federation legislation.

Article 5

Russian Federation Military Units in the period of their temporary stay in the territory of the Republic of Moldova shall not be used under any circumstances for the resolution of internal Conflicts in the Republic of Moldova, as well as for the conduct of hostilities against other States.

The disposal of any type of military equipment, weapons and ammunition of the Russian Federation military units on the territory of the Republic of Moldova will be carried out on the basis of separate agreements between the Governments of the Parties.

Article 6

The movements, exercises and manoeuvres of the Russian Federation Military Units outside their deployment sites are carried out on the Republic of Moldova in accordance with the plans, agreed with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Moldova.

Movements by Russian Federation military units in their deployment sites and military measures for the protection of military facilities and property shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Article 7

The Military airfield at Tiraspol shall be a joint base for Russian Federation Military Units’ aircraft and civil aircraft in the Transdniestrian region of Moldova.

Flights by the Russian Federation Armed Forces aircraft within the airspace of the Republic of Moldova shall be carried out in accordance with a separate agreement between the Ministries of Defence of the Parties.

Article 8

To support their aviation activities, the Russian Federation Military Units will maintain their own radio equipment in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Ministries of Defence of the Parties.

The Russian Federation military units will use their existing assigned radio frequencies in order to avoid the creation of mutual radio interference, subject to mutual agreement on Radio Service by the Ministries of Defence of the Parties.

Article 9

The Russian Party shall be responsible for their Military Units’ compliance with environmental safety standards from the moment these units are designated as coming under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

In the case of violations of these standards, compensation for the damage caused will be paid by the Russian Party.

The size of the damage will be determined by a Joint Commission specially created by the parties.

Article 10

The servicemen of the Russian Federation Military Units will wear their specified dress code and side arms in accordance with the procedure established by the Russian Federation Armed Forces.

Russian Federation Military Units’ military equipment will have a registration number and identification mark.

Common registration numbers and identification marks will be established by the Russian Federation Military Units’ Command.

The Republic of Moldova state authorities will, without examination or payment, recognize permits issued by the state authorities of the former Soviet Union or the Russian Federation.

Article 11

Russian Federation Military Units will utilise moveable and immoveable property, as well as postal, telegraph/telephone and radio services, public utilities and other services in accordance with the existing rules on the date of signature of this Agreement.

The Moldovan side will ensure the supply of the Russian Federation Military Units with electricity, water and other utilities and domestic services on a contractual basis for a fee, at prices applicable to enterprises and organizations in the designated deployment sites of these forces.

Until their complete withdrawal, the expenses for the maintenance of the Russian Federation Military Units, as well as the maintenance of the cantonments, and freestanding buildings and structures used by the above forces, will be met by the Russian side.

The provision of the Russian Federation Military Units with essential material supplies, including weapons and military equipment, until the complete withdrawal of these forces from the Republic of Moldova will be fulfilled on a duty-free basis.

The volume of transportation will be coordinated by the Parties’ Ministries of Defence.

Article 12

The Moldovan Party shall grant the Russian Party the sums in national currency necessary for expenses to the Russian Federation Military Units.

The size of these sums and the payment procedure shall be established by agreement between the Parties’ relevant authorities.

Article 13

Housing and barracks, service funds, parks, Landfills with stationary equipment, equipment warehouses, buildings and other facilities being vacated as a result of the withdrawal of the Russian Federation Military Units, will be transferred to the local authorities of the Republic of Moldova in their present availability.

The procedure for the transfer or sale of the aforementioned immoveable property of the Russian Federation Military Units will be determined by a separate Agreement between the Governments of the Parties.

Article 14

The Parties shall guarantee the individual rights and freedoms of persons included in the composition of the Russian Federation Military Units, and members of their families who have expressed a desire to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Moldova, where such a right is in accordance with its legislation.

Persons included in the composition of the Russian Federation Military Units, and members of their families shall have the right to dispose of any property they own at their discretion.

Article 15

Persons, which is part of the Russian Federation Military Units, and members of their families traveling outside the territory The Republic of Moldova for permanent residence are allowed to export all property belonging to them specified in the applicable inventory or customs declaration, without being subject to customs duties, indirect taxes and similar charges.

Persons belonging to the Russian Federation Military Units, and members of their families cross the border The Republic of Moldova in all cases, on presentation of certificates card, military ticket or passport, minors - recording therein.

Article 16

Moldovan Party in accordance with its current legislation provides people part of the military Russian Units, and members of their families the right to use residential area.

Moldovan Party recognizes the right of residence of persons belonging to part of the Russian Federation Military Units, and members of their families living space occupied by them at the date of signing this Agreement, irrespective of its departmental supplies to the withdrawal of these forces from the territory of the Republic Moldova.

Servicemen who are not secured with a residential area, as well as arriving to undergo further military service to replace decreasing troops, provided a living space by liberated living space for leaving the military, regardless from its departmental affiliation, as well as leased in Moldova Russian Federation Military Units

The Moldovan Party shall ensure that persons living area included in the part of the Russian Federation Military Units who have chosen permanent residence in the city and other settlements Republic of Moldova, after the completion of service or employment activity in these military units, in accordance with its law on a par with its own citizens.

Those who were part of the military Units of the Russian Federation and was elected after the completion of their service or employment activity in these forces permanent place residence of the city and other localities of the Republic of Moldova, has the right to continue to reside in the living space they occupy.

Article 17

In order to ensure the withdrawal of the Russian Federation Military Units from the territory of the Republic of Moldova within the agreed terms and their normal functioning in the new places of deployment on territory of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Moldova participates in building on a shared basis in the territory of the Russian Federation social facilities necessary for setting up output Military Units.

The volume of allocated funds, the list of objects and places of building determined by a separate agreement.

Article 18

The Republic of Moldova guarantees equal rights to its citizens forming part of the military forces of the Russian Federation, and members of their families to receive education in higher, secondary and secondary special schools, To attend preschool institutions and medical services.

The Russian Federation shall compensate the expenses of the Republic of Moldova, incurred in accordance with this Article in relation to mentioned persons.

The procedure for payments and rates for those specific costs are determined according to agreement of the parties.

Article 19

The issues of organizing and carrying out military transportation, related to the temporary stay of the Russian Federation Military Units on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and their withdrawal, is by a separate agreement.

Article 20

Internal activity service of Russian Federation Military Units In the places of deployment is regulated by its legislation.

Supervision of its execution is carried out by the Prosecutor's Office Authorities of the Russian Federation.

The issues of jurisdiction and mutual legal assistance on matters related to the temporary stay of the Russian Federation Military Units on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, is regulated by a separate Agreement.

Article 21

For the resolution of disputes related to the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties shall establish a Joint Russian-Moldovan Commission, composed by up to five representatives of each party, appointed by the Parties.

The commission is granted the right to engage experts as required specialists.

The operation of the Joint Commission and its prerogatives are established by the parties in a separate Protocol.

Article 22

The Interaction of the Parties in the implementation of the inspection activities of Russian Federation Military Units, located in the territory of the Republic of Moldova, in connection with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the Vienna Documents For reinforcement of trust and security of 1992 is determined by a separate Agreement.

Article 23

The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last notification of the Parties on the implementation of the necessary internal procedures and will remain in force until the completion of the full withdrawal of Russian Federation Military Units from the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The present Agreement shall be submitted for registration to the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter.

Agreed in Moscow on 21 October 1994 in duplicate in Russian and Moldovan languages, both texts are equally valid.

For the Russian Federation:

V. Chernomyrdin

For the Republic of Moldova:

A. Sangeli