| 7 September 2007 Romania has decided to simplify its procedures for granting citizenship in its decision as of 5 September. The most significant change resulting from the Romanian government's decision is that citizenship decisions will be made by a Citizenship Commission made up of full-time magistrates employed by the Justice Ministry. All citizenship decisions made by the commission will be subject to approval by the ministry. Citizenship is currently granted by a special panel of judges that meets occasionally and whose decisions are confirmed by the Romanian government. Romania's citizenship and visa policies have attracted close attention of neighbouring Moldova, which accuses Bucharest of undermining its national security by encouraging Moldovans to become Romanian citizens. Romanian legislation grants citizenship to Moldovans whose parents or grandparents were Romanian citizens before 1940, when Moldova was part of Romania. The prospect of gaining Romanian citizenship, which allows visa-free movement throughout the European Union, has led one in eight of Moldova's 4.3 million citizens to apply for a Romanian passport. The new citizenship law could come into effect as early as next week.
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