Investor visas bring benefits only realtors
Sale country: first results. Their mission is April 11 brings the head of the Board of Realtor Century 21 Baltwest, investment expert, Honorary Doctor of the University of Paris, Valery Engel:
“The program investor visas working in Latvia for 9 months. Applications for residence permits in Latvia filed 242 (together with their families – 557). Received residence permits – 192 (together with their families – 466). Latvia joined the sales market of residence permits, poorly understood in general, where it is. The main consumer of this product in the world – the Chinese and Pakistanis. But they only need a residence permit. Another, they are not interested. Latvia also provides only temporary, it repelled them.
This product is pecked at CIS nationals. Latvia offered them the cheapest way to get residence permit in Europe, which also implies a return on investment. And today there is no failure, except, perhaps, Luzhkov. This – the dignity of the Latvian residence permit. The main drawback of all investments are made in real estate business class (new buildings, an area of approximately 100 square meters. Meters and cost about 140-150 euros). We stirred up a bit this sector, and prices on it have risen by about 10-15%. But this, however, had no effect on the cost of production of apartments, houses and land.
If we wanted to bring the money in the Latvian economy, this has not happened. $ 25 million invested in real estate. Where did this money go? They went into private hands. A state that? In sum – 500 thousand dollars in taxes on a purchase. Of course, there will be property taxes in general, but in fact they were, and so … This is a – penny. This can not be compared with the investment, which can get the state by selling immigration. “
As you can see me and I to you
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, explained why she had not spoken in Russian, although at one time even taking lessons. Learn a language she stopped the behavior of Russian schoolchildren on the eve of the 2004 reforms, said the former president in an interview Playboy“That was the moment when the Russian youth went outside and told me that they are too hard to study in Latvian is another thing. Then I lost any motivation at my age to try to learn the [Russian] language. Frankly, if so they are not ready to strain and to learn the language of the country where they live, for me at my work and the allocation of the burden of responsibility Saturday for the development of the Russian language was not a priority. “
20 years of unused capacity
In Latvia, there is no other choice but to join the euro area, Said in a radio interview Baltkom Professor of Economics at the Riga State University Paul Stradins Dainis Zelmenis, Since joining the European currency zone, Latvia will receive more favorable interest rates to refinance the international loan – the rate may reach 4%, which will save the country 1.4 billion euros.
“What we have to develop it to join NATO, the EU membership. Now we have a goal – joining the euro area. When we have a goal – the development of the Latvian economy? We do not help develop the economy. All of those activities that are associated with this loan and all the conditions of this loan, on the contrary, hinder the development. We are increasingly thinking about how to pay our debt, not as we develop. The crisis has shown that we have a bubble, not economics “- said Zelmenis, who believes that Latvia has landed herself in this dead end, not using all available opportunities for normal growth of the economy.
“There is a double edged sword. We were forced to take these credit obligations. Now we have to take care of that all the conditions of return were the most profitable. This makes sense, if someone breaks your head about how we win back the international conditions of the loan. It’s all right! But, in parallel, we need to think about how we develop. Because those 20 years of independence – it’s 20 years of untapped opportunities, “- said the professor.
Pigs at a loss
Latvian peasants began to liquidate the pig farm or reduce production, zakalyvaya boars and sows, leaving only, reported April 11 the head of Center for Promotion of agricultural market Inguna Gulbe“The cost of pork production has increased dramatically with the rise in prices for animal feed, which accounts for 65% of the cost of pork. Prices for the year almost doubled. And increased prices for energy, while the purchase price of pork has remained the same.”
In turn, the head of the Latvian association of breeders Varis Simanis stated that it is time to eliminate orasl, and breeders should demand from the EU compensation. “The situation is catastrophic. Of the 270 large farms that are still a couple of years ago, grew more than 300 thousand pigs were only 86 farms on 200 pigs in each. The rest of the animals was seriously reduced. Losses for each pig is 30 euros. We propose to eliminate industry and to demand compensation from the EU relevant, “- said Simanis.
The capital of Latvia – Gagarin
Pelshe proposed to rename in Riga Gagarin. According to the magazine “Open City”, after April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin ushered in the era of manned space flight, with a proposal to rename made first secretary of the CPL Arvid Pelshe.
Integration requires sacrifice
The project is the integration program, developed at the direction of the Minister of Culture Sarmity Elerte, provoking disunity, not eliminate it, Wrote on April 12 at site Advisor to the European Parliament faction “Green” / The European Free Alliance, Latvian defender Alex Dimitrov.
Integration in a divided society helps to overcome the alienation and distrust, but this requires agreement on some basic common values. And here come the creators of the new document to the old rake. First – on non-citizens, or “long-term immigrants,” as they elegantly identified in the project. In order to give greater credibility to the present reference Lisbon Treaty, which, however, immigrants are not talking, and all those who are not citizens of the EU, referred to as “third country nationals” (these are equal and the stateless persons). Moreover, such an approach exists in the EU legislation in the past, so that the reference is hardly appropriate. However, the immigrant – is not primarily a legal term and condition of the soul. Most of the aliens feel their remoteness from the state, but polls do not reveal a special difference between them and the nationals of non-Latvians, (and in light of the crisis, perhaps, many citizens-Latvians do not have confirmed its close relationship with the Republic of Latvia). So is it worth “immigrant identity” among non-citizens to plant, then to successfully fight it? Or is it simply a desire to arrive at the newfangled stream of anti-multiculturalism? Sorry if so – in order to successfully solve the problem, it is necessary to understand its specificity.
“Open Latvian” – a term that can be interpreted in different ways. First of all, it will help those non-Latvians who want to assimilate or leave their identity “for private use” (for example, to send their children to Ukrainian Sunday school or sing “Dubinushka” in the evenings in the company of like-minded). Here everything is clear – according to you should take as Latvians, whatever in his private life, you’re not engaged. It would seem a simple thing, but still in the Population Register record ethnicity prescribed “by blood” and not on self-awareness.
More difficult with those who want their identity Minority exercise and the general public. Is the execution of the same “Dubinushka” will be a mandatory part of the Song Festival – and not as exotic as well as an integral part of the new “Latvian” (or “Latvian”, as the Russian ear is more accustomed to)? Or does the nation will look to such escapades with respect and interest, but for his not count? Same with tradition – whether celebrating March 8 part of a new identity? Will the ethnic minorities on an equal basis to decide what goes into understanding the “open Latvian”, or the last word will still remain for the Latvians as a leading and guiding force?
Document does not have enough emphasis on equality, opportunity for each resident to determine how to be integrated in society and state, which this society is (and not vice versa). For example, the right to vote in local elections to non-citizens, which for so long they say all kinds of international organizations, would provide an opportunity to feel its influence and responsibility, someone else would have prompted for naturalization.
A common language plays an important role in integration, but there is already a certain frame: the state language is Latvian, and the languages of non-Latvians to be used in accordance with mandatory in Latvia Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. True, the execution of the convention, we still limping, confirmed that the recent resolution of the Committee of Ministers. A particular problem – with the right to communicate with the authorities and placed topographical signs in their language. On these items Latvia has a special declaration, however, the Council of Europe in her mind did not accept. Will the new program to reflect the international obligations of Latvia or try to push all languages other than Latvian in the private sphere? The latter approach would be contrary to the Constitution, as pointed out in 2005, the Constitutional Court, the principle of equality requires a different attitude to persons in different circumstances, and a representative of the ethnic minorities in different circumstances, compared with a representative of the majority, taking into account language and ethnicity. So the phrase “All equal – all must speak Latvian” is not appropriate. The Framework Convention does not require equal treatment of all minority languages - the state should assess the demand for the right to use the language is different and the principle of proportionality. And it’s not just about the Russian language, but also the languages of other ethnic minorities.
Much more divided society language different attitudes towards government policies on specific issues (such as language and citizenship) and to history. This differential treatment is compounded by language media division. However, a common information space is valuable not in itself but only as a tool for debate. And with them both times things are bad. It is impossible in a democratic society, some of the topics for discussion as closed under the threat of suspicion of disloyalty – so far put forward ideas do not threaten democracy itself, not accompanied by violence. A sign of this integration is not unanimity, and desire of people to openly and peacefully defend their point of view.
With a history even more difficult. Studies show that students Latvian and Russian schools know the same facts, but interpret them differently, which influences the attitude towards the current situation in the country. Instead of a full discussion, we create myths and antimify. The existence of different interpretations of historical events is quite normal. Bad if they have a negative impact on interethnic relations, even worse, if offered only one known to be the correct interpretation. Maybe we should start with the selection of those historical periods that cause little controversy?
It would be unfortunate if the new integration program will be cut off from reality and built on outdated theories of teaching the state how it should love their homeland. For a successful project to a broad discussion without a predetermined outcome, we need straight talk and a desire to find truly common values.
“The program Elerte” unconstitutional
The ruling elite has failed any clearly articulate what it meant by the term “integration”, responsibility for integration, like a hot potato, tossed from one ministry to another, until finally, all the powers concentrated in the hands of the new Minister of Culture, an ambitious Sarmite Elerte, Wrote on April 13 Portal MP Boris Cilevics Saeima (“Center of the consent”).
“Made to order its new draft program of national identity and integration is at best confusing. A new broom was a serious marriage. Paradoxically, it is Elerte, many years head of the Soros Foundation Latvia – the flagship and the herald of liberal values in Latvia, produced the most anti-liberal concept that I’ve seen in recent years that way fifteen. Classical political philosophy of liberalism preaches a so-called “cultural neutrality”: the ideal democratic state must be neutral not only with regard to religion, but also the culture – not to restrict the freedom of the individual. ” Elerte program “On the contrary, fully identifies with the culture of the state of one group – the ethnic majority. The text of the concept, to put it academically, eclectic and full of internal contradictions. And no wonder: the authors of the concept of trying to” pack “frankly ethnocentric concept of Euro-democracy rhetoric and terminology. The problem hardly soluble.
The main problem of the paper is that it is methodologically based not on modern European principles, and in Stalin’s “theory of the national question” (Which laid the foundation of the Austro-Marxists in the 19th century, but it was Stalin who has completed). The essence of this theory – in recognition of “ethnic” self-determination. In other words, under this theory, some ethnic groups are considered to be owners, “owners” of certain areas – and, accordingly, states. Hence, a hierarchy of ethnic groups – which was reflected in the Soviet system of “ethno-territorial” device.
That is why the document is conceptually no difference between the Latvians and Latvians, between the “ethno-nation” and a political nation – that is, citizens of the state. Very good, that concept appears in the key concept of multiple identities – but used it quite correctly: national, civic identity does not exist, it is automatically equated with the Latvian identity. From the perspective of the authors integrate and become a Latvian – the same thing.
Vicious concept of upstream and manifested in the proposed terminology. Thus, the “national state” – is not a legal entity, in contemporary international law, such term does not exist. The arguments on the definitions of “nation”, “nation”, etc. – The level of “pique waistcoats.” From a legal point of view of a nation – a synonym of the State. And as such amateurish “terms”, as, for example, “state nation” is a serious academic community and say something unseemly …
Of course, you can come up with and adopt the decision of the government anything. But – there are restrictions in the form of international commitments. And most important of them – equality and nondiscrimination. Any sort, a hierarchy of groups and individuals, depending on ethnic origin or mother tongue inevitably come into conflict with this basic principle. Actually, the Constitution says about the same: all citizens are equal regardless of ethnic origin, language or way of obtaining citizenship. But “Elerte program”, in fact, says otherwise: true, “integrated” citizens – just the Latvians, the others should aspire to be, to be full members of society. “
Debt service will fly a lot of money
Multibillion-dollar loan, the government received Ivars Godmanis in November 2008, may be a half times more expensive than the cost of. The absence of a budget of “live” money, and so poorly drawn a plan of debt makes the country’s leaders to resort to alternative and not the best decisions for the taxpayers, says journalist Alexander April 14 at the portal of the Deaf .
As of March 31, 2011 Latvia has received from the European Commission, IMF and World Bank 3.09 billion lats (EUR 4.4 billion). The government expects to meet Valdis Dombrovskis in this amount and will not involve a credit line available to reserve billion. In total, the right to use the loan directly to taxpayers Latvia consortium will pay in interest over 400 million lats (about 560 million euros). But the cost of the loan and then continue to grow. The government is considering several options how to pay off debt. Each with its own separate budget.
Option of repayment in time for the reserves of the budget is not even discussed. To pay the donors, the government theoretically required or completely stop the payment of pensions (this year they will take 2 billion euros) or six-fold increase in tax collection (in 2011 he predicted a 2.52 billion euro). Peak current payments on the loan program coincides with the repayment of a large portion of ten-year Eurobonds. In 2014, to pay international creditors and investors just 1.68 billion euros in 2015 – another 1.4 billion euros. In the future, according to Goskassy, annual payments on foreign debts of Latvia should vary in standard from 70 to 560 million euros. Unless, of course, by that time there will be no new commitments.
Extend the term of repayment will not allow international lenders Latvia. Latvia to provide emergency loans of 3.1 billion euros, the European Commission itself took the money in international markets. At the same time in Brussels feared risk of recurrent cases: after Latvia indulgence, for sure, will ask for Romania and Hungary, although the whole “three” received loans on more favorable terms than the eurozone members. The European Commission is ready to discuss only a delay, burdened with new responsibilities. In this case, will inevitably be increased rate of the loan, postponing entry of Latvia into the euro zone, shaken investor confidence index. Government Valdis Dombrovskis, as can be seen from recent statements by officials who make such sacrifices are not ready to go.
The third option – privatization. To explore the possibilities of privatization of state enterprises a special working group under the government last year conducted a large-scale audit, the results of which have tried not to advertise. However, the Minister of Finance Andris Vilks in October, confirmed that the sale of state-owned enterprises can be started even in 2011. Among the possible candidates for privatization of the finance minister then referred to Lattelecom, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons and airBaltic. Among the priorities, but more complex tasks – to attach shares Citadele and Parex. In the current version of the law a number of state-owned enterprises (Latvenergo, Latvijas pasts, International Airport “Riga”, Latvijas Gaisa satiksme, Latvijas valsts meži, Latvijas dzelzceļš) included in the list neprivatiziruemyh. But in political circles do not exclude that if necessary it can be reviewed. On the balance of the Latvian state is now fully or partially are 142 companies whose value, according to an audit in 2009 was estimated at 10 billion euros.
Refinancing of debt by borrowing on the international market means an overpayment if the Commission and the IMF lent Latvia on average by 3-3.5%, then the international market for less than 5-6%, no one will give money (in late March Goskasse managed to place their ten-year bonds with a guarantee only bonus 6.651%). In monetary terms for refinancing the loan service will be an annual demand of 210-250 million euros, ten years would increase the national debt by 10-15% of GDP (figure is now 37.7% of GDP). However, the version of the appeal to independent investors viewed the government as a principal. Start issuing new Eurobonds are planning to hold in 2012, when Latvia will need to return the IMF first 228 million lats (about 319 million euros).
Radical nationalists are lightly
We need to act smarter. Initiative “All – Latvia!” -TB/DNNL Support amendments on the full translation of the Russian schools to the Latvian language training is haphazard and careless, said April 15 Latvian TV Sejm deputy, ex-Minister of Education Karlis Shadurskis (“Unity”). In his view, the goal of “tevzemtsev” – “good and proper,” but the method of implementation chosen the wrong: “In geometry, the shortest path between two points – straight line, but in politics is not so. And along this line can go as fast as it occurred to the politicians. ” The referendum will be considered valid if it will be attended by about 62% of voters. But among them are voters’ consent Center “and ZaPcHeL that do not support the amendment for the initiative may simply not enough votes. “Legally, it would only mean that the people of Latvia, said” no “to the formation of the Latvian language. Politicians who want to achieve one goal, in fact, reached another“- Said Shadurskis.
