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Tuesday, 09.06.2026, 07:46
Kalnins to Danish foreign minister: in Latvia, more information available in Russian than in Latvian
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| Eriks Kalnins and Villy Sovndal. Riga, 27.08.2012. Photo: saeima.lv |
More radio and television channels in Russian than in Latvian are available in Latvia, and there are more books in Russian than in Latvian available in bookstores, said Kalnins. There are no problems between Latvians and Russians in Latvia, only politicians have such problems, added Kalnins.
February 18, the referendum on making Russian a second state language in Latvia took place. Moscow would like very much that Russian had a state language status in Latvia, because therefore Russian could vie for the status of an official European Union language. However, Latvia will not be a country through which Russia could achieve this, stressed Kalnins.
Non-citizens in Latvia have the same rights as citizens, except that they do not have the right to vote, added Kalnins. Therefore, Russia's reproaches for violations of human rights in Latvia are "red herrings" meant to divert attention from other, more important issues, he said.
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