The Government approved on Thursday, through an emergency ordinance, the strengthening of the legal framework for securing the documents certifying the granting or regaining of Romanian citizenship, said Government Spokesman Mihai Constantin.
„We are taking another important step towards Romania’s accession to the Visa Waiver Program by strengthening the legal framework for securing the documents certifying the granting or regaining of Romanian citizenship. The measures adopted by an emergency ordinance are aimed both at introducing biometrics in the procedure for granting Romanian citizenship, as well as measures that will ensure the security of the entire process through high IT and security systems. In short, it is about the digital photograph, the fingerprinting of those who apply for Romanian citizenship and the replacement of the Romanian citizenship certificate with a high-security electronic card,” Mihai Constantin told a press conference at the Victoria Palace.
In this context, he also referred to the status of the „Qualify Romania” campaign, regarding the Visa Waiver program.
„Since we communicated the launch of the campaign until today, a meeting of the National Audiovisual Council took place, which unanimously issued a recommendation to radio and TV stations to raise awareness on this campaign. All video and audio identification documents can be found on the Calificam Romania.ro website. And I would like to remind you what this last phase means, you could say, before Romania can enjoy the benefits of the Visa Waiver program. Any Romanian citizen who has or has had any type of American visa – whether in force or expired for no more than 4 years, can apply for a B1 or B2 visa, without having to pass an interview at the US Embassy, in its consular sections. This is a step for which I reiterate the Romanian Government’s appeal and which this year will lead us to the benefit that many Romanians, I think all Romanians, in fact, are waiting for, that of being able to travel freely and without a visa in the United States of America,” Mihai Constantin said.
AGERPRES
