5HSRUWRQ5XVVLD In the 2000s, political changes in a number of CIS states (Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan) led to strengthening of the positions of various nationalist forces. Such developments have essentially weakened efforts at harmonization of the legislation in the field of citizenship (Smirnova 1999). Thus, the Convention on the facilitated naturalisation procedure for citizens of the CIS member states remained unratified. This convention was signed by representatives of Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan in Moscow, on 19 January 1996. Later, on 6 June 2003, after adoption of the new Russian citizenship law 2002 the authorities of Russia announced their intention to withhold participation in the Convention. Nevertheless, it is necessary to study those main provisions which were fixed in this Convention. The Contracting Parties declared a strong intention to establish a facilitated naturalisation procedure (by registration of citizenship during three months after lodging of an application). CIS-Quadriga: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia In 1998 the group of four states (CIS-Quadriga) issued the special political statement ‘Ten simple steps for ordinary people’ (signed in Moscow, on 28 April 1998). The heads of state of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia agreed to improve integration in economic and humanitarian spheres. This development was considered an important factor for the creation of conditions for mutually beneficial co-operation. On the basis of the above mentioned document, the leaders of these states agreed to establish a common economic space with free movement of goods, services, capital and labour., The governments of 'Quadriga' expressed their wishes to improve the living conditions of the population of these countries. The political aims were to establish concrete mechanisms to remove any obstacles for work and travel for the citizens of the states of "Quadriga", and to improve education, health care, and cultural and scientific knowledge. Among others the establishment of the simplified naturalisation procedure repeatedly was declared to be of the highest priority. Thus, the citizenship policy within the CIS has gone through several stages. At the beginning of CIS integration, attempts to harmonise citizenship legislation by means of model laws were actively undertaken. Later, as a consequence of political changes cooperation in the field of citizenship regimes has been obstructed. The prevailing trend has been towards the toughening of the citizenship laws of Russia and its neighboring countries. The group of four ('Quadriga') was formed in order to keep the positive achievements in the social sector. However even in this area the trend is towards giving up any form of facilitated means of citizenship acquirement. The Union State of Russia and Belarus (US-RB) The Union was founded by the Union Treaty, an agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus which was signed on 8 December1999.81 This treaty declared the citizenship of the Union of Belarus and Russia to be formally established (Sergiyenko 2008). Each citizen of the Russian Federation and each citizen of the Republic of Belarus has the same legal status as a citizen of the Union State (Art. 2, 18 Union Treaty). The citizen of the Union State has the right to free movement and permanent residence within the Union State; the right of participation in the Union's public service; the right to property, etc. A citizen of the Union State permanently living in the other state has the right to vote and be elected into local governments on the territory of this state. The equal status of the Union's citizens 81 S)%)*)+ =#,-8 ?)..1@.;)@ T#-#+&D1#@ 1 ?#.(8:$1;)@ 5#$&+8.6 "B .)9-&"11 A)79")%) %).8-&+./*&" )/ 8 -#;&:+2 1999 %. ?&/141D1+)*&" 3).8-&+./*#"")@ S8=)@ ?T (8/#= (+1"2/12 T#-#+&$6")%) 9&;)"& )/ 2 2"*&+2 2000 %. N 25-TG "B +&/141;&D11 S)%)*)+& ) .)9-&"11 A)79")%) %).8-&+./*&". A):+&"1# 9&;)")-&/#$6./*& ?)..1@.;)@ T#-#+&D11. 2000. N 7. A/. 786. 56&$6(8'2&,7&5‹$XWKRU