"Citizenship Law needs upgrade"

[Groenewolf]

The Baltic Times

RIGA - President Valdis Zatlers sent to Saeima on Feb. 1 a proposal for amendments to the Citizenship Law which would allow dual citizenship for exiled Latvians and those Latvian residents who have recently left the country to live and work abroad, reports news agency LETA. Saeima’s Citizenship Law implementation Commission was to vote on the bill on Feb. 9.
Zatlers believes that now, with over 15 years since the Citizenship Law was adopted, and a new generation having grown up in independent Latvia, and when it has become a member of the world’s most influential unions and organizations, the time has come to improve the Citizenship Law, which would serve the state’s long-term goals and ensure preservation of Latvian citizenship.

Zatlers highlights two issues: first, the Citizenship Law as it now stands limits the rights of exiled Latvians to obtain Latvian citizenship or the citizenship of the country which provided refuge to them and their descendants. This is unfair, disproportionate, and does not serve the state’s interests, he considers. This dual citizenship situation of exiled Latvians is a consequence of Latvia’s occupation. Zatlers urges Saeima to lift the limitations on Latvian citizens, and their descendants, who were forced to leave Latvia, or were deported and could not return during the German and Soviet occupation from June 17, 1940 to May 4, 1990, and naturalized abroad.

Second, Zatlers notes that the concept of security and integrity changed when Latvia joined the European Union and NATO, and many Latvian citizens have decided to live abroad. It is in Latvia’s interest to encourage them to maintain their bond with Latvia, and retain its citizenship. Dual citizenship is allowed in most of the EU member states.
The president suggests amending the Citizenship Law regarding the determination of citizenship to the children of Latvian citizens, who were born abroad, and also to lift the limitations on dual citizenship to the citizens of the EU, NATO and the European Free Trade Association.

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Rest at the above link.

[Peerkons]

Theoritically its good idea. Poeple who live abroad still can have ties with homeland.
For example sister of my father lives ~10 years in Finland. I think that she has both citizenships now.
From the other side if they have chosen to live somewhere else than Latvia then let it be so. This will give opportunity for russian-speakers to have Latvian citizenship even if they are not Latvians. Many of them here have russian citizenship or Latvias non-citizen passport.
Also naturalization for them is way too easy. Theoritically they are not russians but russian-speakers. IMO persons who are not loyal to our nation should GTFO. Train to Moscow leaves every day 16:20 o'clock!
I don't like that children, who have born in Free-Latvia have in passports "Nationality - Latvian" even if both of parents are russians. -.-