Previous versions discriminated against ethnic Russians.
Published:
16 December 1999 y., Thursday
The United States welcomed Latvia_s new language law on Tuesday and urged the government to follow through by observing its international obligations. Parliament approved an amended version of the controversial bill on December 9 after protests from Moscow and EU about an earlier draft. "The United States believes this law will promote and preserve the Latvian language, while respecting the privacy of Latvia_s private commercial activities and the private lives of all of Latvia_s residents," U.S. State Department said in a statement released by the embassy in Riga.
The law, which comes into force next September, boosts the use of Latvian language, which politicians say needs protection after it was marginalised by Russian during 50 years of Soviet rule.
Moscow has criticized the legislation saying it discriminates against 650,000 Russian speakers.
The U.S. statement recalled that social integration of non-Latvian speakers is a key goal of the U.S.-Baltic Charter of Partnership.
Šaltinis:
MSNBC
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
On 1 October in Tbilisi, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Vygaudas Ušackas and the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili discussed about Georgia’s European integration aspirations. The Minister also accepted the Georgia state award.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė received President of the European Parliament who came to Vilnius on a working visit.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania D. Grybauskaitė sent congratulations to Chancellor A. Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Christian Democratic Union of Germany on the victory in German federal election.
more »
Soldiers of German Air Force detachment that are currently in charge of NATO Air-policing mission in the Baltic States have erected a cross in the Hill of Crosses (Siauliai) on behalf of unit.
more »
Soldiers of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces took part in the largest international exercise for special operations forces „Jackal Stone 09" hosted by Croatia from September 10 to 29.
more »
On 29 September, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs V. Ušackas bade farewell to outgoing Ambassador of Turkey to Lithuania Oguz Ozge and thanked him for the contribution to the development of Lithuanian and Turkish political, economic and cultural relations.
more »
Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas congratulated the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Iurie Leanca.
more »
In the general debates of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President of the Republic of Lithuania made a speech on the topic “Effective Responses to Global Crises: Strengthening Multilateralism and Dialogue among Civilisations for International Peace, Security and Development”.
more »
On September 28-29 two representatives of Lithuanian Armed Forces will observe the active phase of strategic military exercise „Zapad 2009" held in Belarus.
more »
September 28, Maj. Inese Kučere, the new Defence Attaché of Latvia will be accredited to Lithuania at the Ministry of National Defence.
more »