OREANDA-NEWS. Simplification of the procedure for obtaining Estonian citizenship for children of non-citizens is a half step towards solving the problem of mass statelessness in this republic. This, in response to a question from a Russian media correspondent, said on Tuesday, Russian Ambassador to Estonia Alexander Petrov. “This decision is probably in the right direction,” he said. “But you can really say that this is such a half-step”.

Petrov drew attention to the fact that among those who do not have Estonian citizenship there are many who were born here and do not understand why they should contact the authorities and ask for citizenship. "There is a discussion about why not giving Estonian citizenship to at least all those who lived here before 1991", said the Russian ambassador.

In September, the Estonian Riigikogu (parliament) supported the first reading of a bill initiated by the government that allows applying for simplified citizenship for minors born in this republic.