Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia,

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Joint Statement

ON THE NATIONAL REFERENDUM IN THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

ON THE DRAFT LAW “AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA”

17 February, 2012

Tallinn, Vilnius

The Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

Taking into consideration the declaration of the national role of the Latvian language, which was adopted by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia on 2 February 2012, and which states that the Latvian language as the common language of all residents of Latvia has a significant role in ensuring democratic participation and a cohesive society in Latvia;

On the eve of the national referendum on the draft law “Amendments of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia”, which will be held on 18 February 2012;

Emphasise the uniqueness of the Latvian language and the importance of it for preserving the national identity;

Declare respect for the constitutional rights of the citizens of the Republic of Latvia regarding their language, which are embedded in the current Constitution.