The Citizenship Commission on Wednesday decided to postpone a decision on American ice dancer Allison Reed’s application for Lithuanian citizenship.
The panel decided to gather additional information to substantiate Reed’s compliance with the integration criterion laid down in the law, the presidential office said on Wednesday.
“The commission has also decided to invite the applicant to attend the Commission meeting and to allow her to directly provide additional explanations regarding her compliance with this criterion,” the office added.
So far, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has rejected Reed’s request for Lithuanian citizenship granted by way of exception twice – last year and the year before, citing failure to prove her outstanding merits to the Republic of Lithuania.
Speaking in January, however, the president said the citizenship situation changed after Reed won a bronze medal at the European Figure Skating Championships with her Lithuanian dance partner Saulius Ambrulevičius.
The Citizenship Commission makes recommendations to the president on granting or withdrawing citizenship.
Under the law, the president may grant citizenship by way of exception to foreigners for outstanding merits to the Republic of Lithuania who have integrated into the Lithuanian society.
Outstanding merits are defined as any activities that significantly contribute to the consolidation of the statehood of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as to the strengthening of its power and authority in the international community. For athletes, that usually means winning awards while representing Lithuania.
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