Despite the fact that history of the country began 3000 years ago, people living in four main areas – Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme and Vidzeme – had no central government, though they were lucky traders.

Teutonic Knights of the Sword, “Carrying the cross of the Lord”, conquered them, and founded Riga in 1201.

From that time until the First World War, German, Russian, Poles and Swedes had fought for control over this territory, and Latvian culture was suppressed.

Russian and German people had the biggest impact, which ended in 1701 after the defeat of King Peter the Great.

Russian kings appointed the governors, but in fact they ruled with the help of German nobility, who treated the Latvians as a serf.

Independence was gained, lost and gained again.

Changes in the world caused by the First World War, raised the people of Latvia for the bitter war for independence, which ended with its recognition in 1920.

In the inter-war period, Latvia regained its economy, reformed agriculture, implemented industrialization and expanded the possibility to obtain higher education.

But the outbreak of World War II drew Latvia again in the old Sovereign struggle.

The Soviet Union and Hitler, in turn, caused terror and mass deportations.

After the war, the country became a Soviet socialist republic.

Farms were collectivized. National flag and anthem were banned.

The collapse of the Soviet Union made it possible to restore the independence of Latvia, 21 August 1991.

The price was high. It was necessary to revive the economy. But the reward in the form of entrepreneurship, human values and freedom is visible to every visitor of the country.

Latvia is one of the greatest discoveries in Europe.

Riga is a wonderful surprise to visitors. Big city, which once again revived its emotional atmosphere and sophistication.

A lot of industries are located in Latvia, textile, metallurgical (including metal stamping), automotive & transportation, food processing industry, light industry and many others.

Under the amendments, television and radio channels with national status are required to broadcast in Latvian at least 65% of airtime.

The Parliament on June 16 approved a bill in final reading, but Latvian president refused to approve the bill and returned it for revision to the parliament with a demand to introduce similar restrictions in relation to regional broadcasters.

After completion, the amendments will be put back to a vote in Parliament in commissions.

Moscow believes that official Riga continues a policy of discrimination against Russian-speaking population.

This is stated in the commentary of the Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko.

“The amendments adopted by the Parliament of Latvia have demonstrated the commitment of the official line of Riga on discrimination of Russian-speaking population and the restriction of freedom of speech in general.

There is an attempt of Latvian authorities to return the “language quotas”, which were in force in the 90s of the previous century in this country and recognized illegal by the Constitutional Court on 5 June 2003, including the contradictions of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities”, – said Nesterenko last Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed disappointment that the President Valdis Zatlers took part in this campaign.

“The head of the Latvian State referred the bill back for reconsideration by the Seimas not trying to bring it into conformity with international law, and to further tightening, in particular, by extending the requirements of broadcasts in the Latvian language in the evening, not only at national but also to regional media “, – said the diplomat.

According to Nesterenko, these actions of Latvian authorities confirm once again the propriety, concerning the rules of the Latvian law, repeatedly expressed by the Russian side, limiting the internationally recognized rights of national minorities, in particular in the areas of language use, and the validity of question by Russian side on the need to protect the rights and interests of Russian compatriots residing in this state in front of the Latvian side and international organizations.