President Basescu criticizes French and UK articles on Romanian citizenship for Moldavians

Romanian president Traian Basescu has commented several recent articles in the French and UK media which wrote about [Republic of Moldova](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.0,28.9166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=47.0,28.9166666667 (Moldova)&t=h) workers in EU states. He has criticized articles in 'Le Figaro' and in two UK tabloids about the illegal workers coming from the Republic of Moldova. “Romania has granted 17,000 citizenships to those having lost their Romanian citizenship following abuses. Most of them had studied in Romania, didn't have Romanian citizenship and couldn't work in the country. They are now working at multinational companies, various firms. Le Figaro and the two British tabloids are mistaking what they accept and try to throw on the two countries, something they accept: the Republic of Moldova has around 600,000 citizens working for years in UK, Italy, Spain...Most of them working illegally,” said Traian Basescu (in picture) in an interview for online publication Hotnews.ro. Romania offers citizenship based on individual requests, not in bulk, Basescu went on. The entire article in Le Figaro here (in French).