Monthly Newsletter
The News of the Naturalization Board
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Address: Smilsu iela 1/3, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Telephone/fax: (371) 67814213, e-mail: arej@np.gov.lv
Website: http://www.np.gov.lv
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November 15, 2008 – December 15, 2008
No. 82
Statistical Information on Acquisition of the Citizenship of Latvia as at November 30, 2008
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Naturalization
Since February 1, 1995
 127 478 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
4.2 % - Poles
0.1 % - Latvians and Livonians
4.2 % - persons having other ethnic origin
0.0 % - not given
2.0 % - 15 years old
6.7 % - 16-17 years old
31.7 % - 18-30 years old
19.8 % - 31-40 years old
20.5 % - 41-50 years old
12.5 % - 51-60 years old
6.8 % - above the age of 60
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130 586 persons, including 13 721 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
 7 764 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. 7 658 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.
 8 650 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. 8 576 persons, including 520 underage children (under the
age of 15), have been recognized to be a citizen of Latvia.
Latest Events
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On November 19 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a
solemn event at the Blackheads House. The event was dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of the
Republic of Latvia and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On November 20 – 21 the first Baltic Conference on the issues of citizenship took place at the
hotel “Baltic Beach Hotel” in Jurmala. The Conference was organized by the Naturalization
Board in co-operation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Officials
from state institutions of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia took part at the Conference; as well
experts from Norway, Denmark and Finland presented their reports.
On November 26 regular “Information Day” was organized in the Methodology Department 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 November 27 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a
discussion, organized by the Ministry of Justice. The main topic of the discussion was definition
of long-term guidelines for policy action.
On November 28 Ms. Solvita Viba, the Deputy Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a
conference “The New Member of the Latvian Society”, organized by the Secretariat of the
Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Affairs.
On November 28 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, gave an
interview on citizenship issues at a live broadcast at radio “Baltkom”.
On November 30 the project “Citizenship – My Responsibility, Rights and Opportunities”,
organized by the Naturalization Board, was successfully closed.
On December 3 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in the
meeting of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee of the Saeima (the Parliament). Ms.
E. Aldermane gave her opinion on the research “Quantitative and Qualitative Research on
Topical Aspects of Citizenship and Society Integration”, made by the Secretariat of the Minister
for Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs in cooperation with Ltd. “AC
Konsultacijas”.
On December 4 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in the
reception of H.E. Ms. Maria Serenius, Ambassador of Finland to Latvia.
On December 5 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in an
international conference “Article 9 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National
Minorities: Access to the Media in Latvia and Europe for Persons Belonging to National
Minorities” organized by the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society
Integration Affairs.
On December 8 Ms. Inga Armane, the Assistant of the Head of the Naturalization Board, took
part in the closing meeting of a working group which was set up to work out the guidelines for
the Society integration policy. The meeting was organized by the Secretariat of the Special
Assignments Minister for Social Integration Affairs.
On December 10 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a
conference “Human Rights and Security” organized by the Ombudsman. The aim of the
conference was to discuss issues pertaining to human rights and security.
On December 11 Ms. Solvita Viba, the Deputy head of the Naturalization Board, took part in a
seminar “Prevention of Conflict of Interests and Professional Ethic of State’s Officials”
organized by Minitry of Justice and the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau.
On December 12 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, took part in the
reception of H.E. Mr. Vojislav Šuc, the Ambassador of Slovenia to Latvia.
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On December 12 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, and Ms. Mara
Kokina, the Head of the Foreign Relations Department of Naturalization Board, took part in an
event dedicated to the Saint Lucy’s Day. The event was organized by the Embassy of Sweden.
Planned Events
 On December 16 Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of the Naturalization Board, will take part
in a solemn event „Latvia’s Man of the Year”, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 On December 17 the monthly seminar of the Heads of the departments and the regional branches
of the Naturalization Board will take place.
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