Latvia marks 35 years since de facto independence recognition

Latvia is commemorating the 35th anniversary of the de facto recognition of its independence from Soviet rule. This pivotal moment occurred on August 21, 1991, when the Latvian Republic's Supreme Council adopted a constitutional law formally restoring the nation's statehood.

The adoption of the constitutional law "On the State Status of the Republic of Latvia" marked Latvia's return to the family of democratic Western European nations. Crucially, this law rendered USSR laws invalid within Latvia. It served as the legal basis upon which other countries officially recognized Latvia's restored independence, solidifying its sovereignty on the international stage.

To honor this significant milestone, state officials will gather on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Freedom Monument in Riga. President Edgars Rinkēvičs and other high-ranking officials will lay wreaths in a solemn ceremony. This act symbolizes the nation's remembrance of its struggle for freedom and its commitment to democratic values.

Following the wreath-laying, a special session of the Saeima (parliament) is scheduled for noon. The session will feature addresses from the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. These speeches are expected to reflect on the significance of the day and the nation's journey since regaining independence.