19/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union notes the important initiatives taken by the President of the Republic of Latvia to amend the electoral law by abolishing language requirements as a condition of the right to stand as a candidate at general and local elections. Since such a reform would indeed be a step in the direction of democracy and respect for human rights, the EU has no doubt that the Latvian authorities will be anxious to endorse it as soon as possible.