On 31 July 2021, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, and the Ambassador-at-Large for the Diaspora, Elita Gavele, took part in the meeting of members of the European Latvian Association (ELA) to mark its 70th anniversary.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, as she congratulated those present and compatriots watching the event online, underlined two vital matters – cooperation and vigilance. Cooperation is the model of our daily work; therefore, we thank the ELA leadership, all diaspora organisations, leaders of schools and amateur art groups, and sectoral experts for their daily work that enables us to learn the needs and perspectives of the diaspora, the Parliamentary Secretary said.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica welcomed ELA’s contribution to the drafting of the Diaspora Law which, over the two and a half years since its coming into force, has proved that cooperation has made it possible for the law to be as good and comprehensive as it is. The law is already delivering concrete results. Upon adopting the Diaspora Law, the Parliamentary Secretary noted, we were charged with drafting another twelve related laws and regulations; ten of those “younger brothers” of the Diaspora Law have already taken effect. Therefore, for the first time this spring, it was possible to vote in local elections taking place in Latvia from foreign countries, and, from 1 July, those living and working abroad can declare an additional residence address in Latvia, which will make communication with public authorities easier, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica added.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica underlined the need for continued cooperation on matters of importance for the state and the diaspora, and she noted that concrete work to be accomplished has already been identified in relation to both digital nomads, or introducing visas for remote work, and attracting young members of the diaspora to studies in Latvia. In cooperation with ELA, special attention will be devoted to contacts between scientists so that the finest minds of Latvia working in the world’s best universities and research institutes could cooperate with scientists in Latvia as much as possible thereby creating and contributing valuable ideas to Latvia’s development.
In her address to broad audiences, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica called on ELA members to engage with their practical and varied experience gained in Europe in the discussions of the Conference on the Future of Europe in order to develop common standpoint and represent it. We all are encouraged to join the process so that we could tell what kind of future we would like to see for Europe, thereby building a Europe that meets our vision and Latvia’s interests, the Parliamentary Secretary underlined.
We live in interesting times, and it is essential that we remain alert about what is going on in our country, said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, while underlining that polarisation, disinformation and uncertainty affect our society. Our own, secure, democratic and inclusive state is not something self-evident that will last forever without contributions from the people, their wisdom and will power; therefore, we must be vigilant to preserve the values that Latvia was built on, and Latvia’s renewal was the purpose for which the European Latvian Association (ELA)was originally established, the Parliamentary Secretary noted.
At the conclusion of her remarks, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica confirmed that the foreign service is the closest partner to the ELA and will always be prepared to listen, to hear what is said and work together. The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that he ELA has been a trusted and active ally to the Foreign Ministry in both drafting legislation, defining the diaspora’s needs, and in representing the interests of the Latvian community in Europe. The Parliamentary Secretary offered her gratitude and appreciation for the work done together and expressed great confidence in what will still be accomplished, wishing energy and vigour to always contribute, cooperate and remain vigilant.
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