Moldovans to renounce citizenship only if living in other countries

The Moldovan citizens will be able to give up their citizenship only if residing in other countries. The Parliament endorsed a bill modifying the citizenship law in this respect, Thursday, Info-Prim Neo reports. Informational development Minister Pavel Buceatchi has said the new provision will decrease the number of cases of giving up the citizenship. He says many Moldovans renounce the Moldovan citizenship not to leave the country, but to obtain foreign citizenships. They go on living in Moldova as foreign citizens. “We consider this situation to be disadvantageous for our state,” Pavel Buceatchi said. According to the draft, “the renouncement of citizenship will be allowed only to persons aged over 18, as they should confirm they hold the citizenship of another country.” Now one can apply to renounce the citizenship to the territorial offices of the Informational Development Ministry or to Moldova's embassies and consulates abroad. After the draft is enacted, the procedure will be operated only by the representations abroad.