On 15 November 2022, the Ambassador-at-large for the Diaspora at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Elita Gavele, had an online meeting with Moldovan officials to introduce them to Latvia’s experience with the implementation of remigration policy. The event is yet another step in the continuing cooperation on diaspora-related matters launched after the Ambassador’s visit to the Republic of Moldova.
The meeting was opened by Elita Gavele, the Ambassador of Latvia to Moldova, Uldis Mikuts, and the Head of the Diaspora Relations Bureau at the State Chancellery of Moldova, Nadejda Zubko. The Deputy Director of the Secretariat at the Society Integration Fund (SIF) of Latvia, Reinis Lasmanis, informed the participants about the role of SIF in the diaspora policy and about opportunities for remigrants to learn Latvian. He underlined that people who had returned to Latvia after a longer absence were offered free-of-charge Latvian language courses, which welcome both Latvian citizens and non-citizens, as well as Latvian citizens’ family members. Reinis Lasmanis described the selection of teachers, teaching and learning arrangements, and online tools used in the teaching process. A special focus was placed on the role of children and youth camps in language learning.
The remigration coordinator for the Latgale Planning Region, Astrīda Lesčinska, spoke about support accessible during the remigration process. She made a detailed presentation on a coordinator’s day-to-day work and duties, practical aspects and difficulties, assistance available for remigrants, as well as highlighting remigrant success stories.
Moldovan colleagues, for their part, shared their experience of working with the diaspora. In conclusion, the participants engaged in an active discussion, exchanging views and ideas.
Taking part in the conversation were representatives from the Diaspora Relations Bureau at the State Chancellery of Moldova and Members of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; Latvia was represented by the two Ambassadors, the Deputy Director of SIF, and four regional remigration coordinators working for Latgale, Kurzeme, Zemgale, and Riga.
Background information
On 8-9 February 2022, the Ambassador-at-large for the Diaspora at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Elita Gavele, visited the Republic of Moldova, and introduced her counterparts to Latvia’s experience with the formulation of a diaspora policy, the Diaspora Law, a plan for work with the diaspora for the period from 2021 to 2023, and the principles of the establishment and functioning of the Diaspora Advisory Council.
The Moldovan officials showed great interest in Latvia’s experience and further cooperation.