The Minister of the Interior condemns the repression and violence currently being perpetrated by the Belarussian authorities against his people and supports the Belarusian nation in its struggle for a fair and democratic state and open elections.
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The Minister calls on the Belarussian authorities to end the repression and allow the re-run of the presidential election in accordance with internationally recognized standards, ensuring equal access for the opposition to all government-controlled media and allowing it to participate in the elections on equal terms.
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It is also not acceptable for the Minister that the highest officials of Belarus position Latvia in the media environment as a country threatening the sovereignty of Belarus. “We have always perceived the people of Belarus as friendly neighbors and reliable partners,” says Girgen.
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Ģirģens reminds that in July last year the amendments to the Immigration Law proposed by the Ministry of the Interior were approved, which facilitated the possibility for foreign companies in Latvia to obtain a European Union Blue Card in order to attract highly qualified specialists.
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If the situation in Belarus does not improve and violence against society continues, the Minister wishes to call on Belarusian companies, especially in the information technology sector, to relocate their operations to Latvia.
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According to last year’s amendments to the Immigration Law, a foreigner whose purpose of entry is employment may be issued a long-term visa for a period not exceeding one year. If a foreigner wishes to continue residing in Latvia after the expiry of the visa, he or she is entitled to request a temporary residence permit during the long-term validity of the visa without leaving Latvia.
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If a company develops an innovative product and is one of the start-ups, then board members can obtain a residence permit immediately, even before the company is established. The company and its board members must be registered within three months of receiving the residence permit.
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Protests have already been reported in Minsk and other cities in the Belarusian capital against the results of the August 9 presidential election in Belarus, which the opposition considers to be rigged, as well as the brutal violence against protesters.
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Today, the Latvian Saeima adopted a statement calling for the holding of repeated presidential elections in Belarus, allowing the opposition to participate in them on equal terms.
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