Changes

Moldova's Parliament approved the country's membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States and a CIS charter on economic union in April 1994.  

Moldova's Parliament approved the country's membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States and a CIS charter on economic union in April 1994.  

In 1995, the country became the first former Soviet republic admitted to the Council of Europe. In addition to its membership in NATO's Partnership for Peace, Moldova also belongs to the United Nations, the OSCE, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Moldova is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).  

In 1995, the country became the first former Soviet republic admitted to the [[Council of Europe]]. In addition to its membership in [[NATO]]'s Partnership for Peace, Moldova also belongs to the [[United Nations]], the [[OSCE]], the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Bank]], and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Moldova is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO).  

In 1998, Moldova contributed to the founding of GUAM, a regional cooperative agreement made up of Georgia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, in addition to Moldova. Although the agreement initially included a declaration of mutual defense, Moldova has since declared its disinterest in participating in any GUAM-based mutual defense initiative. Moldova has been involved in information exchange, trade and transportation, border control, and energy projects issues within this regional agreement. In 2006, the organization's members voted to change the name to the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM.  

In 1998, Moldova contributed to the founding of GUAM, a regional cooperative agreement made up of Georgia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, in addition to Moldova. Although the agreement initially included a declaration of mutual defense, Moldova has declared a disinterest in participating in any GUAM-based mutual defense initiative. Moldova has been involved in information exchange, [[trade]] and transportation, border control, and [[energy]] projects issues within this regional agreement. In 2006, the organization's members voted to change the name to the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM.  

The past two years have seen significant developments in Moldova's relations with the West. In 2005, the European Union appointed a Special Representative for Moldova and the negotiations to resolve the Transnistrian conflict and the Delegation of the European Commission opened an office in Chisinau, In December 2005, Moldova welcomed an EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) along its Ukrainian border to crack down on smuggling, strengthen customs procedures and facilitate cross-border cooperation. In accordance with a 2005 Action Plan with the EU, Moldova has begun to harmonize Moldova's laws with those of the EU. As part of this, in late 2005, Moldova enacted its "Guillotine" laws, which slashed unnecessary business regulations, established a framework for relations between the private sector and government and created a mechanism to review the suitability of draft legislation.  

In 2005, the [[European Union]] appointed a Special Representative for Moldova and the negotiations to resolve the [[Transnistria]]n conflict and the Delegation of the European Commission opened an office in Chisinau, In December 2005, Moldova welcomed an EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) along its [[Ukrainian]] border allegedly to crack down on smuggling, strengthen customs procedures and facilitate cross-border cooperation. In accordance with a 2005 Action Plan with the EU, Moldova began to harmonize Moldova's [[law]]s with those of the EU. As part of this, in late 2005, Moldova enacted its "Guillotine" laws, which slashed unnecessary business regulations, established a framework for relations between the [[private sector]] and [[government]] and created a mechanism to review the suitability of draft [[legislation]].  

In the atmosphere of heightened international sensitivity to terrorism following the events of September 11, 2001, Moldova has been a supporter of American efforts to increase international cooperation in combating terrorism. Moldova has sent demining units and peacekeepers to participate in post-conflict humanitarian assistance in Iraq. In March 2011, The Moldovan Orthodox Church resisted efforts from the European Union attempting to force Moldova to accept homosexuality.

In the atmosphere of heightened international sensitivity to [[terrorism]] following the events of [[September 11, 2001]], Moldova has been a supporter of [[American]] efforts to increase international cooperation in combating terrorism. Moldova has sent demining units and [[peacekeeper]]s to participate in post-conflict humanitarian assistance in [[Iraq]].  

 

In March 2011, The [[Moldovan Orthodox Church]] resisted efforts from the [[European Union]] attempting to force Moldova to accept [[homosexuality]].

==Defense==

==Defense==