EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Law and Regulations, Legislation, Society

Rihards Kols (National Alliance), who headed the Foreign Affairs Committee’s workgroup in charge of drafting the bill, said that the Latvian diaspora in foreign countries, which relative to the population is one of the largest Europe, is an unalienable part of the Latvian state, culture and identity.

“While until now political rhetoric often described our diaspora as a resource, now, with the drafting of the Diaspora Bill, the state defines the diaspora as a true and unchangeable value,” Kols said.

The politician indicated that the workgroup has managed to stipulate in the draft legislation that cooperation with and providing support to the diaspora is a duty of the Latvian state.

“With the Diaspora Law we intend to provide our expatriates living in foreign countries the opportunity to strengthen their Latvian identity, sense of belonging to Latvia, as well as to develop effective and mutual cooperation with Latvia. The new law stipulates a strategic resolve of the Latvian state to provide support for the maintenance of Latvian identity and language, accessibility of Latvian education and culture,” the head of the workgroup said.

The draft legislation also provides for concrete measures intended to promote remigration and support those emigrants who want to return to Latvia.

The bill has been drafted with the participation of around 30 representatives of Saeima, ministries, institutions, diaspora organizations and nongovernmental groups.