Visit of Commissioner Van Den Broek to Latvia and Lithuania

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Visit of Commissioner Van Den Broek to Latvia and Lithuania

,3 Brussels, 17 July 1998 9LVLW RI &RPPLVVLRQHU YDQ GHQ %URHN WR /DWYLD DQG /LWKXDQLD -XO\ (XURSHDQ &RPPLVVLRQHU IRU ([WHUQDO $IIDLUV +DQV YDQ GHQ %URHN ZLOO YLVLW /DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLDRQ-XO\WRGLVFXVVWKHVHFRXQWULHV¶SURJUHVV LQ SUHSDULQJ IRU (XURSHDQ 8QLRQ PHPEHUVKLS 0U YDQ GHQ %URHN ZLOO ZHOFRPHWKHLPSURYHGHFRQRPLFSHUIRUPDQFHLQERWK/DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLD DV ZHOO DV WKHLU HIIRUWV WR DGRSW DQG LPSOHPHQW (8 UXOHV DQG SUDFWLFHV &RPPHQWLQJRQKLVYLVLW0UYDQGHQ%URHNVDLG´%RWK/DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLD KDYHPDGHJUHDWVWULGHVWRZDUGV(8PHPEHUVKLSLQWKH\HDUVLQFHP\ODVW YLVLW 7KH\ ERWK NQRZ WKDW PXFK PRUH QHHGV WR EH GRQH 7KH GDWH RI DFFHVVLRQLVLQWKHLUKDQGVWKHTXLFNHUWKH\LPSOHPHQWWKHQHFHVVDU\UXOHV DQGUHIRUPVWKHTXLFNHUWKH\ZLOOMRLQ,ZLOOEHWHOOLQJWKHWZRJRYHUQPHQWV WKDWWKH&RPPLVVLRQLVIXOO\FRPPLWWHGWRGRLQJHYHU\WKLQJLQLWVSRZHUWR VSHHGXSWKLVSURFHVV´ In Latvia on 20 July 1998, Mr van den Broek will meet President Guntis Ulmanis, Prime Minister Guntars Krasts, Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs, the Minister of Finance, Mr Roberts Zile, in addition to the head of the European Affairs Committee in the Parliament, Mr Edvins Inkens. He will exchange views on the new citizenship legislation, adopted on 22 June 1998, which will – once it enters into force - implement OSCE recommendations on the integration of minorities in Latvia. He will discuss Latvia’s recent macroeconomic performance and the need for reforms in a number of fields, including public administration, and the strengthening of the judiciary. Mr van den Broek will deliver a speech on relations between Latvia and the EU at the Stock Exchange, Riga, at 14.45 on 20 July 1998 and hold a press conference with Foreign Minister Birkavs at 16.35 in the Cabinet of Ministers, Riga. In Lithuania on 21 July, Commissioner van den Broek will meet President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius, Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas and the Minister for Economy, Mr Vincas Babilius, as well as MPs from the Foreign Affairs and the European Affairs Committees. They will discuss Lithuania’s recent macroeconomic performance and the importance of further structural reforms, privatisation and restructuring large-scale enterprises. The talks will also focus on public administration and judicial reform and the telecommunications sector. Mr van den Broek will also discuss Lithuania’s energy strategy and nuclear safety, reiterating the Commission’s readiness to assist Lithuania in the preparation of a long-term comprehensive national energy strategy, including a clear commitment regarding the decommissioning of Ignalina NPP. Mr van den Broek will hold a press conference at 15.30 on 21 July 1998 at the EC delegation, Vilnius. In both Latvia and Lithuania, Mr van den Broek will discuss progress in each country’s application to join the WTO and encourage them to intensify regional co- operation. 2.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

EU Enlargement and Latvian Citizenship Policy
EU Enlargement and Latvian Citizenship Policy HELEN M. MORRIS Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, Belgium Issue 1/2003 EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR MINORITY ISSUES (ECMI) Schiffbrücke 12 (Kompagnietor Building) D-24939 Flensburg Germany ( +49-(0)461-14 14 9-0 fax +49-(0)461-14 14 9-19 e-mail: [email protected] internet: http://www.ecmi.de EU Enlargement and Latvian Citizenship Policy HELEN M. MORRIS Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, Belgium This article examines whether its the desire to join the European Union exerted any influence upon Latvian nationality policy. The author concludes that external pressure upon Latvian policymakers during the accession process led to a significantly more liberal and inclusive citizenship law than might have otherwise been adopted. The analysis includes an assessment of current concerns in nationality and minority policy in Latvia including the large number and status of non-citizens, the application of language legislation, and the reform of the education system. EU membership is expected to make Latvian citizenship more attractive for non-citizens and the country will continue to be required to meet its international obligations regarding treatment of the non-citizen population and minorities. However, there is a risk that the completion of accession negotiations and accompanying reduction in European Commission influence coupled with intense pressure on limited economic and administrative resources in the new member states will sideline respect for and protection of minority rights. I. Introduction Since regaining independence in 1991, Latvian nationality policy has developed from an exclusive, almost restitutionist, policy seeking to identify the Latvian state with the Latvian nation into a more inclusive civic definition of Latvian citizenship.
[Show full text]
Latvia Reloaded – the Parties Are Trying to Revive the Spirit of 1991
1|2011 KAS INTERNATIONAL REPORTS 71 Latvia reLoaded – the parties are trying to revive the spirit of 1991 Andreas M. Klein In many ways, the elections of 2nd October 2010 were a call for Latvia’s 1.5 million citizens to decide the future direction of their country. On the one hand the ruling coalition made up of “Unity” (Vienotība), “Union of Greens and Farmers” (Zaļo un Zemnieku Savienība / ZZS) and “For Fatherland and Freedom” (Tēvzemei un Brīvībai / TB/LNNK), headed by Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, sought agreement for its austerity policies caused by the crisis, on the other Andreas M. Klein is hand the electorate had to vote on whether the business Resident Represen- tative of the Konrad- interests of the Latvian “oligarchs” should continue to have Adenauer-Stiftung in a significant influence on the country’s politics. On top of Latvia. this, since the local elections of June 2009, there had been a shift in power towards the “Harmony Centre” (Saskaņas Centrs / SC), the party representing the ethnic Russian minority, which after the election became the strongest faction on the influential Riga City Council and which maintained steady support in the polls of between 25 to 30 per cent in the lead-up to the election. In the end the civic electoral alliance Vienotība, which was formed in March out of “New Era” (Jaunais laiks / JL), “Civic Union” (Pilsoniskā savienība / PS) and “Society for Other Politics” (SCP), won a surprise clear majority over the other parties with 31.22 per cent of the vote. And as the two previous coalition also increased their share of the vote, the ruling coalition came out of the tenth elections to the Saeima, the Latvian Parliament, stronger than ever.
[Show full text]
Einars Repse
Einars Repse Letonia, Primer ministro (2002-2004) Duración del mandato: November 07, 2002 - , Nacimiento: Municipalidad de Jelgava, December 09, 1961 Partido político: Por el Desarrollo de Letonia (LA); anteriormente, de Unidad (Vienotiba) y Nueva Era (JL) Profession: Ingeniero en electrónica y funcionario bancario Resumen http://www.cidob.org 1 of 7 Biografía En 1986 obtuvo el título de ingeniero electrónico por la Facultad de Física y Matemáticas de la Universidad Estatal de la entonces República Socialista Soviética Letona (RSSL) y a continuación empezó a trabajar en el departamento de proyectos de instrumental científico de la Academia de Ciencias de la RSSL, como la anterior institución sita en Riga. El 10 de julio de 1988 figuró entre los fundadores del Movimiento de la Independencia Nacional Letona (LNNK), una organización de la derecha nacionalista y antirrusa que a su vez se asoció al Frente Popular Letón (LTF), la gran coalición de fuerzas sociales y políticas fundada el 8 de octubre de 1988 para canalizar las demandas populares de la restauración de la soberanía nacional perdida en la anexión por Stalin en 1940, la retirada de las tropas ruso-soviéticas y la celebración de elecciones libres. Repse se aseguró un lugar señero en la conducción de los acontecimientos como miembro del consejo ejecutivo del LTF. El ala reformista de los propios comunistas letones, con Anatolijs Gorbunovs a la cabeza, impulsó el proceso soberanista, aunque con cautela, intentado evitar los enfrentamientos violentos con Moscú. El 18 de marzo de 1990 Repse fue uno de los 131 candidatos del LTF que obtuvo escaño en las elecciones para el Consejo Supremo de 201 miembros, en realidad el viejo Soviet Supremo convertido en Parlamento de transición durante el período de separación de la URSS.
[Show full text]
Latvia's 15 Years in the European Union
THE DILIGENT TEENAGER: LATVIA’S 15 YEARS IN THE LATVIA IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 15 YEARS EUROPEAN UNION Photo 1 Fifteen years ago, on 1 May 2004, Latvia The day of the EU enlargement. On 1 May joined the European Union (EU), thus closing 2004, ten countries became the new EU almost ten-year long process of accession. Member States: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Given the sensitive geo-political situation, the Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, choice in favour of Europe was self-evident, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. even though, the ideas of neutrality or closer Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, Pat Cox, President of the cooperation with the Commonwealth of European Parliament and many EU Heads of Independent States originally emerged in the State and Government, including President political environment. However, the history Vaira-Vīķe Freiberga, attended the official was still alive in people’s memories, and it enlargement ceremony in Dublin. also determined the fate of Latvia in favour of Photo: The European Community, Maxwell’s, integration into the EU, by choosing the so- Irish Presidency called ‘return to Europe’. When regaining independence, Latvia based its statehood on the values of the republic proclaimed in 1918, providing that Latvia is an independent, democratic and parliamentary state. Accession to the EU provided for the strengthening of these values, by incorporating in the family of western democratic states, as well as the economic prosperity, well-being and security of Latvia by cooperating with like-minded countries. It would be difficult to challenge this choice now: the EU is the largest trading Photo 1 bloc in the world, the euro is the second largest currency in the world, the EU is a global leader in combating climate change the most developed countries by the Human and providing development aid; its population Development Index of the United Nations has almost the highest life expectancy in Organization.
[Show full text]
Lettland Nach Der Wahl Zur 7. Saeima
Paulis Apinis Lettland nach der Wahl zur 7. Saeima Rückblick Am 3. Oktober 1998 fanden in Lettland die dritten Aus den dritten Parlaments- wahlen im Herbst 1998 freien und demokratischen Parlamentswahlen nach erwartete Andris Skele als Wiederherstellung der Unabhängigkeit am 21. Au- Sieger hervorzugehen und gust 1991 statt. Aus den Wahlen zur 5. Saeima im mit seiner neugegründeten Jahre 1993 ging die liberal orientierte Partei Lettlands Volkspartei die Regierungs- verantwortung zu überneh- Weg (Latvijas Cels) als Sieger hervor und bildete men. Das Wahlergebnis zusammen mit der konservativen Bauernunion (Lat- machte aber den Verband vijas Zemnieku Savieniba) eine Minderheitsregie- Lettlands Weg und deren rung. Der Parteivorsitzende von Lettlands Weg, Val- Wahlkampfleiter Vilis Kri- stopans zum überraschen- dis Birkavs, wurde Ministerpräsident. Differenzen den Sieger. Eine liberal- über die Landwirtschafts- und die Wirtschaftspolitik konservative Minderheits- führten zum Wechsel im Amt des Ministerpräsiden- regierung mit Duldung der erstarkten Sozialdemokra- ten. Maris Gailis (Lettlands Weg) führte die neue ten konnte gebildet werden. Koalitionsregierung, bestehend aus der Vereinigung Die stärkste Partei wurde der Volkswirte und unabhängigen Abgeordneten, bis in die Opposition geschickt. zu den Wahlen im Herbst 1995. Dieser Wahlausgang, der durch das gleichzeitig Die Sitzverteilung nach den Wahlen im Jahre 1995 durchgeführte Referendum ließ eine schwierige Regierungsbildung erwarten. beeinflusst wurde, brachte Der Nationale Versöhnungsblock und der Nationale eine instabile Regierungs- Block vereinigten gleich viele Abgeordnete. Zwei koalition an die Macht. Das Scheitern war absehbar Kandidaten, jeweils vom Präsidenten für das Amt und wurde mit der Wahl des Ministerpräsidenten vorgeschlagen, erhielten nicht von Vaira Vike-Freiberga die Mehrheit im Saeima. Maris Grinblats (Vaterland zur Präsidentin im Sommer und Freiheit) und Ziedonis Cevers (Demokratische 1999 beschleunigt.
[Show full text]
European Security and NATO Enlargement
EUROPEANSECURITY ANDNATOENLARGEMENT: AVIEWFROMCENTRALEUROPE Editedby StephenJ.Blank April1998 ***** The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. This reportisclearedforpublicrelease;distributionisunlimited. ***** Comments pertaining to this report are invited and should be forwarded to: Director, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, 122 Forbes Ave, Carlisle, PA 17013-5244. Copies of this report may be obtained from the Publications and Production Office by calling commercial (717) 245-4133, DSN 242-4133, FAX (717) 245-3820, or via [email protected] ***** Selected 1993, 1994, and all later Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) monographs are available on the Strategic Studies Institute Homepage for electronic dissemination. SSI’s Homepage address is: http:// carlisle-www.army.mil/usassi/welcome.htm ii CONTENTS Foreword .......................... v 1. Introduction StephenJ.Blank.................... 1 2. RhetoricandRealityinNATOEnlargement StephenJ.Blank.................... 5 3. “FromPrague”...AfterParisandMadrid JacobW.Kipp .................... 49 4. AfterMadridandAmsterdam:Poland andtheFutureofEuropeanSecurity PrzemyslawGrudzinski ............... 71 5. HungaryandtheFutureofEuropeanSecurity LaszloValki ..................... 91 6. LatviaandtheFutureofEuropeanSecurity DainaBleiere .................... 119 7. Post-MadridEstonianSecurityPolicy MartLaanemae..................
[Show full text]
The End Product a Crisis in Latvian-Russian
Aivars STRANGA THE END PRODUCT A CRISIS IN LATVIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS (March - August 1998) Introduction The main topic of research in this End Product is the crisis which arose in Latvian- City Council. The meeting was attended mostly by Russian pensioners, and it was broken up by the authorities. This crisis was not overcome at the end of August, when this research project was completed. A more detailed analysis of the crisis allows us to gain a deeper understanding about the following issues: 1) The essence of Russia’s Baltic policy in general and Russia’s attitude toward Latvia specifically, as well as the resources which are at hand for implementation of this policy; the main actors in Russia’s relationship with Latvia; 2) The position taken by the Latvian government, as well as the country’s political parties and economic groupings during the crisis; 3) The influence which the crisis has had on Latvia’s foreign and domestic policies. The main sources which I have accessed are the same which I used when writing the Final Product: the Russian and Latvian mass media, as well as the output of academic institutions. These sources, however, are not fully adequate if one wants to research the Russian-Latvian relationship. Among the players who were «on stage» during the crisis have been pro-Russian political forces in Latvia (political parties and groups), and a precise understanding of their goals cannot be found by studying the press alone. The Russian information about its role and place in the development of the crisis. ! " Synagogue and a small explosion near the Russian embassy), and the guilty parties in both cases have not yet been identified.
[Show full text]
European Affairs Committee
European Affairs Committee The Committee monitors the imple- mentation and cost-efficiency of EU Structural Funds’ investments. Respon- sible ministries present their progress reports to the Committee on quarterly basis. The Committee also cooperates with the European affairs committees of other parliaments of the EU member states and candidate countries. Composition The European Affairs Committee has al- ways been one of the largest committees of the Saeima. According to the Rules of Procedure, each parliamentary group must nominate at least one of its MPs to the Committee. The number of MPs representing each parliamentary group Vita Anda Tērauda, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee is proportional to the number of seats it has in the Saeima. Work of the Commit- The European Affairs Committee (here- Committee represents the Saeima in tee is coordinated by consultants and the inafter – Committee) was established in EU affairs. The Committee approves representative of the Saeima to the Per- November 1995, at a time when the gov- national positions before they are manent Representation of the Republic ernment of Latvia submitted its applica- communicated to the Council of the of Latvia to the European Union. tion for accession to the EU to Spain, European Union. If necessary, it also which was the presiding country of the monitors the compliance of draft laws Approving national Council of the European Union at the considered by the Saeima with EU leg- time. Back then, the task of the Commit- islation. The Committee meets minis- positions tee was to oversee harmonisation of na- ters on a regular basis in order to dis- The European Affairs Committee ap- tional laws with EU legislation.
[Show full text]
The Influence of Party Competition on Minority Politics: a Comparison of Latvia and Estonia
Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe Vol 13, No 1, 2014, 57-85 Copyright © ECMI 2014 This article is located at: http://www.ecmi.de/fileadmin/downloads/publications/JEMIE/2014/Nakai.pdf The Influence of Party Competition on Minority Politics: A Comparison of Latvia and Estonia Ryo Nakai* Rikkyo University The aim of the research presented in this article is to highlight differences in inter-ethnic political relations on minority issues in Latvia and Estonia, and how the varied structures of their political party competitions have affected the ethno- political landscapes of the two countries. Though Estonia and Latvia had similar starting points with their respective minority questions, the political elites in both republics have demonstrated different responses to this issue, and inter-ethnic political relations in Latvia and Estonia have demonstrated divergent paths. While the citizenship and language laws of Latvia adopted or amended by majority parties are still restrictive, those of Estonia are relatively less so. The Russophone minorities in Latvia have intensified their support for ethnic parties, while in Estonia no ethnic party currently has any seats in the national parliament. Moreover, Russophone residents in Latvia organize political rallies or movements more often than in Estonia. The party systems of Latvia and Estonia are significantly important as an explanatory factor for this variance. Under the fragmented party system in Latvia, ethnic majorities’ political elites exploit ethnic issues to mobilize support from Latvian voters and to win popularity over political rivals. This has generated spiralling dynamics of restrictive policies and political protests by Russian-speakers. In contrast, Estonian political elites function under a relatively consolidated party system and, instead, seek to incorporate Russophone voters to win elections.
[Show full text]
A Tour of the European Electoral Campaigns in View of the European Elections (4Th-7Th June 2009)
A tour of the European Electoral Campaigns in view of the European Elections (4th-7th June 2009) Author: Corinne Deloy, author of the European Elections Monitor (EEM) for the Robert Schuman Foundation and project manager at the Institute for Political Studies (Sciences Po). Germany Date of the election: 7th June (regional and local by-elections on the same day) Number of MEPs to be elected: 99 2009 is a super electoral year for the Germans, who within one year, will have to vote in general, regional, local, European and even the presidential elections (23rd May next by parliament). On 7th June, the day of the European election, local elections will also take place in the Länder of Bavaria, Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate. 64 million Germans are being called to ballot including 4.3 million who will be voting for the first time. Turn out will be the greatest challenge to rise to as in all of the other European countries. According to a survey for the European institutions, only 44% of the Germans are aware that the European Parliament will be elected this year and 43% say they will go and vote. 31 political parties and associations are submitting themselves to the citizens’ judgment, a first in the country’s history. The most important of these groups are Die Linke (Left Party) whose list is being led by Lothar Bisky, the SPD (Social Democratic Party) led by Martin Schulz, chair of the European Socialists’ group in the European Parliament since 2004, die Grünen (the Greens) led by Rebecca Harms and Reinhard Bütighofer, the FDP (Liberal Democratic Party) led by young economist Silvana Koch-Mehrin, the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) led by present president of the European Parliament Hans- Gert Pöttering and the CSU (Social Christian Union) led by Martin Ferber.
[Show full text]
Foreign Affairs Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima was first established during the 5th Saeima. The Rules of Procedure of the Saeima set forth that the Foreign Affairs Com- mittee is one of 15 standing commit- tees of the parliament. The Committee has one subcommit- tee – the Baltic Affairs Subcommittee, which is set up during each convoca- tion of the Saeima and which is closely involved with the activities of the Baltic Assembly. Functions The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and other legal acts set forth the Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee following functions of the Committee: • To review all draft laws pertaining ommendations and suggestions on lateral and multilateral cooperation to foreign affairs, international trea- improving their work of the Saeima, as well as to give ad- ties, signing of international conven- • To cooperate with other sectoral vice on foreign affairs activities of tions and other types of international committees by holding joint meet- the Saeima agreements before forwarding them ings and thus seeking solutions to • To cooperate with counterpart com- for consideration at a plenary sitting topical foreign policy issues and ex- mittees from other parliaments and • To exercise its right of legislative changing information to actively explain Latvia’s foreign initiative as a standing committee • To discuss issues related to the bi- policy abroad • To draft and review statements CHAIRPERSONS OF THE COMMITTEE (declarations) of the Committee and the Saeima regarding
[Show full text]
LATVIA in REVIEW July 19 – 25, 2011 Issue 29
LATVIA IN REVIEW July 19 – 25, 2011 Issue 29 CONTENTS Government Latvian Parliament Dissolved in Referendum on July 23 Prime Minister Dombrovskis Votes in Favor of Dissolution in Referendum Ex-President Zatlers Confirms Readiness to Run in Latvia's Parliamentary Elections Latvia’s Ex-President and Associates Establish Zatlers Reform Party Merger of Nationalist Parties TB/LNNK, All For Latvia! Supported at Congress Economics In U.S., Dombrovskis Promotes Closer Cooperation Between Latvian and American Companies Dombrovskis Participates in NASDAQ Stock Exchange Closing Bell Ceremony in New York Dombrovskis to Bloomberg News: Latvia on Schedule to Adopt Euro by January 1, 2014 In Texas, Dombrovskis Encourages Cooperation Between Latvia and Texas Universities, Companies Bank of Latvia Economist: Producer Price Rise Moderates, But Still Fueled by Higher Energy Prices Bank of Latvia Economist: Money Supply Leveled Out; Pronounced Rise Not Yet Expected Latvian Unemployment Drops to 12.3% in Second Half of July Foreign Affairs President Presents Credentials to Upcoming Latvian Ambassador to Canada Latvian and Lithuanian Presidents Agree on Closer Cooperation at EU Level Baltic States Demonstrate Unity in Protesting Austria’s Release of Ex-KGB Colonel Mikhail Golovatov State Secretary Teikmanis Participates in Opening of Latvian Honorary Consulates in California Society Highest Voter Turnout Abroad for Latvia’s Referendum Reported in UK Sigulda Opera Festival Presents Open-Air Performance of Eugene Onegin Weekly Saturday Flea Market Unveiled at
[Show full text]