“Entering the EU through the Back Door”?! Debates on Romanian Citizenship for Moldovans
“Entering the EU through the Back Door”?! Debates on Romanian Citizenship for Moldovans

Summary/Abstract: During the last two decades more and more Moldovans apply for Romanian citizenship, mainly to be able to work and leave, temporarily or permanently, in the EU countries, while the Moldovan state cannot ensure good living standard for its citizens. The Romanian legislation on citizenship is periodically amended in order to facilitate the process of granting Romanian citizenship for the Moldovans, the arguments on the common historical, cultural and linguistic heritage being taken as a basis. On the other side, the Moldovan state doubts the loyalty of its citizens that also became Romanian citizens. Simultaneously, the EU officials criticise the Romanian citizenship policy, which encourage the Moldovans to “enter the EU through the back door”. The article focuses on the non-academic debate that evolved around the issue of dual citizenship for Moldovans and makes a series of recommendations for the development of a clearer citizenship policy of the Moldovan state, taking into consideration a range of internal and external factors, as well new individual and societal perspectives.

• Details
• Contents