Riga, 20 February 2020 - Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Juris Pūce (AP!) met yesterday with the leadership of the World Free Latvian Alliance (PBLA) to discuss the developments in the diaspora and Latvia. During the meeting, representatives of the PBLA informed about the importance of the association's developments outside Latvia and the self-organisation of the diaspora. The process of local government reform and changes in the electoral process in Latvia, as well as the procedures for voter registration in the foreign country were also discussed. The representatives of the PBLA pointed out that they had closely followed the progress of the reform and stressed that they were fully supportive of the reform because they saw its need.
On Remigrations, the Minister presented the progress of the remigration project in the regions and the results achieved in 2019, and listened to the PBLA's assessment. . It should be noted that the Ministry has developed draft BOM rules which will make it easier for remigrants to apply for financial aid to start economic activities. I. Such changes in the ministry's discretion will facilitate the return of countrymen and provide practical support when starting life in Latvia. Both sides welcomed the suggestion to inform countrymen about the possibilities of returning to Latvia by participating in events organised by the PBLA abroad.
Negotiations also focused on the development, improvement and modernisation plans of the portal Latvija.lv. . The Minister presented his work on improving access to e-services to citizens. m. Ministry manage a broad programme for the modernisation of public administration information and communication technologies, focusing primarily on creating and providing services that meet the needs of citizens in the digital environment. In order to encourage citizens to make even more use of digital services and a modern and convenient tool for communicating with national authorities, an e-address has been introduced since 2019, available on the national management services portal Latvija.lv. Using electronic identification (eID), analogously as with personal identity documents, citizens can confirm their identity in the digital space and use both public and private services.
Both sides also discussed other important issues related to cooperation in the promotion of Latvia's economy, the role of PBLA in Latvia's economic growth, as well as state aid to the diaspora. ladyship I. The PBLA was represented by Vice President Christine Sun, Vice Chairman of the American Latvian Alliance Martins Anderson, Executive Director Wright Epretty and Head of Mission in Latvia Janis Anderson.
Other information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533, e-mail: prese@varam.gov.lv
www.varam.gov.lv