History of Latvia: Encyclopedia II - History of Latvia - Reinstating Independence

History of Latvia - Reinstating Independence

A liberalisation within the communist regime began in the mid 1980s in the USSR. In Latvia there immediately appeared a few mass socio-political organisations that made use of this opportunity – Tautas Fronte (Popular Front of Latvia), Latvijas Nacionālās Neatkarības Kustība (The Movement for National Independence), Pilsoņu Kongress (The Congress of Citizens of Latvia). These groups were for the reinstatement of National Independence.

In 1989, on the 23rd August, 50 years had passed since the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. In order to draw the world's attention to the fate of the Baltic nations, Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians joined hands in a human chain that stretched 600 kilometres from Tallinn, to Rīga, to Vilnius. It symbolically represented the united wish of the Baltic States for independence.

A notable step towards renewal of independence was taken on May 4, 1990. The Latvian SSR Supreme Council, elected in the first democratic elections since 1930s, adopted a declaration restoring independence that included a transition period. On the August 21, 1991 parliament voted for an end to the transition period, thus restoring Latvia's pre-war independence. On September 6, 1991 Latvian independence was once again recognised by the USSR.

Soon after reinstating independence, Latvia became a member of the United Nations and swiftly returned to the flock of democratic nations in the free world. In 1992 Latvia became eligible for the International Monetary Fund and in 1994 took part in the NATO Partnership for Peace program, as well as signed the free trade agreement with the European Union. Latvia became a member of the European Council as well as a candidate for the membership in the European Union and NATO. Latvia was the first of the three Baltic nations to be accepted into the World Trade Organization.

At the end of 1999 in Helsinki, the heads of the European Union countries and governments invited Latvia to begin negotiations regarding accession to the European Union. In 2004 Latvia's most important, according to some interpretations, foreign policy goals - membership of the European Union and NATO - were fulfilled. On April 2, Latvia became a member of NATO and on May 1, Latvia together with other two Baltic States became a member of European Union. Around 67% voted 'yes' in a 2003 membership referendum, but the 'yes' votes constituted less than 50% of those eligible to vote. On May 1, 2004 Latvia became a member of the European Union. It had taken millions of lats in pro-EU advertising (instead of analysis and wider discussion), last-minute tampering with the country's constitution by politicians as well as availing of the domino effect in order to scrape together a "yes" vote in the membership referendum - notably contradicting some reports that "Latvia [and Estonia] voted overwhelmingly yes". It is debated whether the so-called partial giving up of sovereignty and neutrality is outweighed by benefits of being in the EU.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Reinstating Independence", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki