The initiative to withdraw belongs to the Ministry of Energy. The ministry notes that the treaty’s provisions increasingly fail to meet the country’s new priorities related to energy security, diversification of energy sources and transition to a “green” economy.
The ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) mechanism, which allows investors from the fossil fuel sector to challenge state decisions in international arbitration, is particularly criticized. According to the authorities, such rules may restrict climate policy and hamper the development of renewable energy projects.
Interpreting the current stage as a transition to a more sustainable development model, the authorities emphasize that the continuation of such mechanisms “may deter investment in clean energy and slow down the achievement of climate goals.”
The Energy Charter Treaty was signed in 1994 and entered into force for Moldova in 1996, when it was seen as a tool for integrating the national energy market into the regional and international system.
In recent years, a number of European states have already initiated withdrawal from the agreement, including Romania, Poland, Italy and France. The European Union has also decided to withdraw in 2025, arguing that it is necessary to bring energy policy in line with climate commitments and a course to reduce carbon emissions.
