The Ministry of the Interior yesterday said it is willing to assist Taiwan-based Ukrainian actress and model Larisa Bakurova in her efforts to seek Republic of China (ROC) citizenship.
Bakurova, who has worked in Taiwan for more than seven years and who married a Taiwanese last year, earlier this month said that she had wanted to renounce her Ukrainian nationality and obtain Taiwanese nationality for the past three years, but has been unable to do so at Ukrainian embassies overseas, reportedly because Taiwan and Ukraine do not have formal ties.
Bakurova holds a Taiwanese permanent resident certificate.
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Taipei Times
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) questioned Minister of the Interior Chen Wei-zen (陳威仁) over the issue during a legislative session yesterday, in which Chen said that his ministry is “willing to assist” Bakurova.
Wanda Chang (張琬宜), head of the ministry’s Department of Household Registration Affairs, said that as far as her ministry knows, it is the first case involving a Ukrainian citizen seeking ROC citizenship.
Chang said that after Bakurova renounces her Ukrainian nationality and provides the renunciation certificate to the Taiwan government, she can apply to be naturalized as an ROC citizen.
In response to media reports that the Ukrainian government has rejected Bakurova’s application to relinquish her Ukrainian nationality, Chang cited Taiwan’s Nationality Act (國籍法) as saying that if Bakurova cannot obtain the renunciation certificate for reasons beyond her control, and foreign affairs authorities investigate and determine that it is true, then Bakurova does not need to provide the certificate.
Bakurova took to Facebook yesterday to express her gratitude for the support she has received. “I cried... Truly, thank you. Thank you Taiwan,” she wrote.
Bakurova has acted in TV dramas and films, including They Kiss Again, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart and Young Dudes.
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