Moldova grants citizenship to Romania's former president Traian Basescu
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 June 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldova grants citizenship to Romania's former president Traian Basescu, 9 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576901bfe.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 09, 2016
By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
Former Romanian President Traian Basescu
Moldova has granted citizenship to former Romanian President Traian Basescu and his wife, saying the move is recognition for Basescu's work to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Ana Samson, a spokesman for the Moldovan president's office, said on June 9 that citizenship for Basecu and his wife Maria was granted on the basis of a request they had made in March.
Basescu, who was president of Romania from 2004 to 2014, led the country during its accession into the European Union at the start of 2007.
During his presidency, Basescu cleared the way for thousands of Moldovans with Romanian grandparents or parents to become Romanian citizens.
Basescu also lobbied for Moldova to move closer to the EU.
Moldova, which had been part of Romania before World War II, signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014 despite opposition from Russia.
With reporting by AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
