History, Latvia, Legislation, Real Estate

"If we do not accept the property offered to us, we will be blamed for declining the goodwill initiative of the Latvian government, that tried to give us back what we once owned. But if we accept three dilapidated buildings, one synagogue – that we will return to Kandava municipality, and one property, encumbered by rent arrears, financial burden is all that the Jewish community will receive," explained Krupnikovs.

Krupnikovs praised the first step to be taken to solve the matter, however, the Jewish community would like "the entire problem to be solved once and for all."

In total, the Jewish community owned property numbering about 315 in Latvia before World War II, but 35 of them have been given to religious organizations, said Krupnikovs. The entire list has to be reviewed to reach agreement, he believes.

He also said that one solution could be the establishment of a foundation run by a board of eleven members, supervised by the Finance Ministry.

Foreign Affairs Committee's Chairman Ojars Eriks Kalnins (Unity) said in conclusion of the meeting that it was an important question whether the Jewish community would accept several properties from the state if Saeima was prepared to offer them. The committee is planning to continue discussion about the matter.

As reported, Saeima forwarded several draft bills to committees in January that deal with the restitution of five Jewish-owned properties which are to be returned to the Council of Jewish Communities of Latvia.