Statistical Information on Acquisition of the Citizenship of Latvia as at September 3o, 2009
September 15, 2009 – October 15, 2009 No. 92
Statistical Information on Acquisition of the Citizenship of Latvia as at September 3o, 2009
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Naturalization
Since February 1, 1995
• 130 071 naturalization applications have been received from the applicants of the citizenship of Latvia.
Breakdown of the number of applicants of the citizenship of Latvia as to their ethnic origin and age:
| 68.1 % - Russians 10.4 % - Belorussians 9.3 % - Ukrainians 3.7 % - Lithuanians and Estonians 4.1 % - Poles 0.1 % - Latvians and Livonians 4.3 % - persons having other ethnic origin 0.0 % - not given |
2 % - 15 years old 6.6 % - 16-17 years old 32.1 % - 18-30 years old 19.7 % - 31-40 years old 20.4 % - 41-50 years old 12.4 % - 51-60 years old 6.8 % - above the age of 60 |
• 132 333 persons, including 13 793 underage children (under the age of 15) naturalizing together with a parent, have been granted the citizenship of Latvia through naturalization according to the decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers.
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Recognition of a person to be a citizen of Latvia
Since January 1, 1999
• 8 138 applications have been received as to recognition of a child, who was born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 and whose parents are non-citizens or stateless persons, to be a citizen of Latvia as prescribed by article 31 of the Law on Citizenship. 8 029 children, who were born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 and whose parents are non-citizens or stateless persons, have been recognized to be a citizen of Latvia.
• 9 245 applications have been received as to recognition of a person to be a citizen of Latvia through registration of the status of a citizen of Latvia as prescribed by the paragraphs 1, 11, 12 or 13, article 2 of the Law on Citizenship. 9 168 persons, including 543 underage children (under the age of 15), have been recognized to be a citizen of Latvia.
Latest Events
• On September 16 the monthly seminar of the Heads of the departments and the regional branches of the Naturalization Board took place.
• On September 16 a regular “Information Day” was organized in the Rigas Regional branch of the Naturalization Board. Visitors had the possibility to pre-test their proficiency in the Latvian language as well as their knowledge of the basic principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and the history of Latvia by filling in the test samples.
• On September 18 Ms. Ina Vorpa, the Acting Head of the Legal Department of the Naturalization Board, took part in a meeting where issues pertaining to citizenship of children were discussed. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Justice.
• On September 24 Mr. Eriks Baranovskis, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a meeting organized by the Ministry of Justice. The main issues that were discussed at this meeting were the reestablishment of the Council of Civil Society and the implementation of the Civil Society Strengthening Program 2008 – 2012.
• On October 6 Mr. Eriks Baranovskis, the Head of Naturalization Board, was interviewed by journalist of newspaper “Телеграф” on the current events in the sphere of the acquisition of the citizenship of Latvia.
• On October 7 Ms. Baiba Jakovleva, the Head of the International Cooperation and
Society Integration Department of the Naturalization Board, took part in an international conference where current events in the sphere of integration of immigrants in the Baltic states were discussed. The conference was organized by the Afrolatvian Association (Afrolat).
• On October 8 Mr. Eriks Baranovskis, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a Forum on Effective Governance and Partnership. The Forum was organized by the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia and the State Chancellery.
• On October 9 Ms. Baiba Jakovleva, the Head of the International Cooperation and
Society Integration Department of the Naturalization Board, took part in a conference where the possibilities to delegate public administration functions to private enterprises were discussed. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Justice.
• On October 15 a new Sub-branch of Naturalization Board was opened in Jekabpils. Mr. Dainis Licis, the Executive Director of Jekabpils City Council, Mr. Eriks Baranovskis, the Head of the Naturalization Board and other officials, interested persons and representatives of mass media took part in the opening of Jekabpils Sub-branch of Naturalization Board. During the event an exhibition “The Development of Latvian Citizenship Institute in Latgale” was opened.
• On October 15 Mr. Eriks Baranovskis, the Head of Naturalization Board, was interviewed by journalist of newspaper “Latvijas avize”. Mr. Eriks Baranovskis gave opinion of the Naturalization Board regards the announcement of Liga Krapane, the Press Secretary of Prime Minister, to journalists where she gave information that during the meeting of representatives of coalition parties on October 12 a decision to reorganize the Naturalization Board was made.
Planned Events
• On October 19 Ms. Baiba Jakovleva, the Head of the International Cooperation and
Society Integration Department of the Naturalization Board, will take part in a meeting where the project “The Basic Political Principles for Society Integration 2010 – 2019” will be discussed.
