TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In a major relief to over lakhs of Goans reeling under the possible consequences of dual citizenship, the Consul General of Portugal in Goa Dr Rui Carvalho Baceira on Wednesday said that by merely registering one’s birth in Portugal or having a Portuguese passport does not make an individual a Portuguese citizen.
The Consul General said that the current issue of dual citizenship faced by Indians, particularly Goans has nothing to do with Portugal.
“You become a Portuguese citizen when you have an identity card. Passport is just a document that allows you to travel to Portugal. None from Goa who were born before Liberation in 1961 become Portuguese citizens, unless they apply for it,” Baceira said speaking to media persons Wednesday evening.
“I am not aware about any communication from Goa or India to my embassy on the dual
citizenship issue,” the consul general said.
Baceiro added that everyone born before 1961 in Goa is entitled to apply for citizenship but they have to follow several procedures. “People can apply to be Portuguese citizens. Those who were born in Goa before 1961 are not Portuguese at all. There are just few persons who are applying for the Portuguese citizenship,” he said.
At the same time, the Consul said that if people of Goa are interested in acquiring Portuguese citizenship, we are ready to provide it. “If people want to acquire Portuguese citizenship we are entitled to give them, if they qualify. We don’t make people our citizen en mass through any order,” he clarified.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday morning held a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who have assured an amicable solution to the issue.
