DUSHANBE, March 13, 2014, Asia-Plus – An article “Russia Mulls Fast-Track Citizenship, Sparking Brain-Drain Concerns Elsewhere” by Farangis Najibullah that was posted on Radio Liberty’s website on March 12 notes that proposed legislation that would give native Russian speakers abroad a fast track to Russian citizenship appears designed to lure highly qualified specialists and successful entrepreneurs.

                 The draft legislation, in the form of new amendments to its existing citizenship law, would pave the way for eligible, Russian-speaking applicants to get Russian passports within three months, skipping an otherwise lengthy and complicated procedure.

                 In introducing the legislation on March 6, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that it would allow Russian speakers who had lived on territories that were subject of the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union to obtain Russian citizenship without getting permanent residence permits.

                 According to the article, Medvedev''s announcement raised eyebrows, coming as a separate draft bill was being mulled by the State Duma that would make it easier for Moscow to incorporate territories in foreign states into the Russian Federation.

                 Analysts reportedly say the most controversial thing about Medvedev''s bill is the potential brain-drain effect it could have on Central Asian states.

                 The article says that some of the Central Asian countries struggle to retain qualified specialists, many of whom studied in Russian universities.

                 The new legislation would make it much easier for such candidates to jump ship to Russia, while leaving many less-qualified labor migrants behind.

                 According to new amendments, skilled specialists who have studied at state-approved universities in Russia and Russian territories after July 2002, and have lived in Russia for at least three years, would be eligible to apply.

                 Private entrepreneurs, who have owned an established business in Russia for at least three years, generating an annual net income of about $80,000, would also qualify under the new criteria.

                 Karimjon Yorov, head of the Moscow-based Tajik migrants'' organization, Etmos, reportedly said that excitement over the bill was building up among Central Asian nationals living in Russia.

                 “We''re getting phone calls from people who want to know more about the bill, hoping they qualify,” Yorov says.

                 “For them Russian citizenship opens doors for better job opportunities, it scraps the necessity to obtain work permits, provides access to healthcare, and guarantees other rights. They are willing to accept all preconditions Russian laws stipulate for obtaining Russian citizenship,” Yorov said.

                 “In Moscow alone, there at more than 500 Tajik doctors who work in city hospitals,” Yorov says.  “Everyone I know among them is willing to get a Russian passport if the opportunity arises.  So are our students in Russian universities.”