Moldovan President Maia Sandu has restored citizenship to former Romanian President Traian Basescu.
Oxu.Az reports, citing Kommersant, that this was stated in a decree signed by the head of state.
Traian Basescu first obtained Moldovan citizenship in 2016. However, a year later, then-President Igor Dodon annulled that decision.
According to information published on the website of the Moldovan Presidential Administration, Traian Basescu understands the struggle to preserve the country's identity, the Romanian language, and to move away from the Soviet past towards a European future.
Maia Sandu noted that the decision was made to "rectify the injustice committed against Mr. Basescu."
Traian Basescu and his wife Maria Basescu obtained citizenship in June 2016 by decision of Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti. According to legislation, citizenship applications can take up to a year, but the former Romanian president's application was given priority.
After Igor Dodon assumed the presidency, the administration stated that citizenship cannot be granted to "persons involved in terrorism, violation of state security, public order, health, and morality." However, Maria Basescu's citizenship was not revoked.
It should be noted that Traian Basescu served as President of Romania from 2004 to 2014.
