Brussels, 12/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The French Presidency made the following delcaration of behalf of the EU:
"The EU welcomes the adoption by the Government of Latvia, on 22 August 2000, of the Regulations implementing the State Language Law, enabling that law to enter into force on 1 September as planned. The EU fully subscribes to the statement on the Regulations implementing the State Language Law made by the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mr Max Van Der Stoel, in which he notes that the texts are essentially in conformity with the law and with Latvia's international obligations. It notes with satisfaction that virtually all the High Commissioner's recommendations were finally accepted and is confident that the Latvian Government will respect its commitment to make the additional adjustments before November 2000. The Union considers that the new legislation constitutes an important step in the process of integration in Latvia. It calls on the Latvian Government to ensure that the institutions responsible for implementing the new legislation adopt a liberal approach. It will continue to extend its support to Latvia to that end."