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Statement by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities on referendum in Latvia
THE HAGUE 5 October 1998
THE HAGUE, 5 October 1998 - The following statement was released today by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel.
"I warmly welcome the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. By deciding to approve the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, the people of Latvia have taken a very important step towards solving interethnic problems and promoting the process of integration.
"Now that the people and the Parliament of Latvia have agreed to bring its legislation regarding children of stateless parents born in Latvia since the restoration of its independence into line with European practice in this field, I express the hope that the Parliament of Estonia will take a similar step by approving legislation to this effect as proposed by the Government."
"I warmly welcome the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. By deciding to approve the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, the people of Latvia have taken a very important step towards solving interethnic problems and promoting the process of integration.
"Now that the people and the Parliament of Latvia have agreed to bring its legislation regarding children of stateless parents born in Latvia since the restoration of its independence into line with European practice in this field, I express the hope that the Parliament of Estonia will take a similar step by approving legislation to this effect as proposed by the Government."