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Statement on Estonia by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
THE HAGUE 9 December 1998
THE HAGUE, 9 December 1998 - The following statement was released today by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel.
" I warmly welcome the adoption by the Riigikogu of the law regarding the children of stateless parents. I consider the text adopted as broadly in conformity with my recommendations on the subject, taking into account the statement made by Foreign Minister Mälk during the parliamentary debate to the effect that the mere opportunity to apply for the citizenship of some other states does not make an individual who is legally residing in Estonia and factually without citizenship the citizen of some other state. The new law will help to reduce the number of stateless persons in Estonia and will stimulate the process of integration."
" I warmly welcome the adoption by the Riigikogu of the law regarding the children of stateless parents. I consider the text adopted as broadly in conformity with my recommendations on the subject, taking into account the statement made by Foreign Minister Mälk during the parliamentary debate to the effect that the mere opportunity to apply for the citizenship of some other states does not make an individual who is legally residing in Estonia and factually without citizenship the citizen of some other state. The new law will help to reduce the number of stateless persons in Estonia and will stimulate the process of integration."