Citizenship is an expression of loyalty to the state and this matter is defined by the Constitution, Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite has said.  Grybauskaite indicated her sceptical view on the dual citizenship again by underlying that it can be granted on very rare occasions.

‘Every new citizenship is an oath of loyalty to another state. If we look at the oaths, for example, to the United States or other countries, they leave virtually no room for another oath. Therefore, the citizenship issue is not very simple. If you’re loyal to something, you’re loyal, if you love something, you can only love one,” Grybauskaite said in an interview to Baltijos Televizija TV channel on 7 July.

“Citizenship issues are not easy ones. Dual citizenship as a phenomenon is applied on rare occasions and by very few states. This does not mean it is necessary.  Feeling Lithuanian is what’s most important. Knowing where your Homeland is and being useful and helpful. With a passport or without it – this is another question,” Grybauskaite said.

“According to the Constitution, dual citizenship is a rare exception, not a common case. Expanding the opportunities for dual citizenship can only be done by amending the Constitution,” the president said in a press release circulated by the President’s Office after Grybauskaite vetoed extended dual citizenship bill on 18 November 2010.

Article 12 of the Lithuanian Constitution states that the dual citizenship is allowed  ”with the exception of individual cases provided for by law, no one may be a citizen of both the Republic of Lithuania and another state at the same time.”