MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federation Council on Friday approved a law lowering the age of persons obliged to take an oath to acquire citizenship from 18 to 14 years old.
At a Federation Council meeting, senators approved amendments to Articles 21 and 37 of the Federal Law "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation."
According to the Law, the oath is mandatory only for persons acquiring Russian citizenship through naturalization, optation or international treaties, while citizens by birth are exempt.
The Federation Council said that the move is aimed at strengthening patriotism and fostering a consciousness to observe the country's Constitution and laws.
The law also specifies cases in which a citizenship decision will be invalid, including refusal to take the oath, failure to do so within one year of the decision, or inability to take the oath due to death.
