Moldova’s parliament voted Thursday to denounce key agreements with the Commonwealth of Independent States, clearing the way for the country to withdraw from the organization. Sixty of the 101 lawmakers voted in favor, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Deputies from the Communist Party and the Socialist Party voted against the measures, arguing that Moldova’s exit from the CIS would have catastrophic consequences for the country’s economy.

The laws must now be signed by Moldova’s president. The Foreign Ministry will then submit the relevant documents to the CIS Executive Committee, after which the country’s withdrawal will take effect 12 months later.

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