A liberalisation within the communist regime began in the mid 1980s in the USSR. In Latvia there immediately appeared a few mass socio-political organisations that made use of this opportunity – Tautas Fronte (The Popular Front of Latvia), Latvijas Nacionalas Neatkaribas Kustiba (The Movement for National Freedom), Pilsonu Kongress (The Congress of Citizens of Latvia). These groups were for the reinstatement of National Independence.
In 1989, on the 23rd August, 50 years had passed since the signing of the unlawful Molotov-Ribentrop pact. In order to draw the world's attention to the fate of the Baltic nations, Latvians, Lithuanians an Estonians joined hands in a human chain that stretched 600 kilometres from Tallinn, to Riga, to Vilnius. It symbolically represented the united wish of the Baltic States for independence.
A notable step towards renewal of independence was taken on May 4, 1990. The Latvian SSR Supreme Council adopted a declaration restoring independence that included a transition period. On the August 21, 1991 parliament voted for an end to the transition period, thus restoring Latvia's pre-war independence. In September 1991, Latvian independence was recognised by the USSR.
Soon after reinstating independence, Latvia became a member of the United Nations and swiftly returned to the flock of world democratic nations. In 1992, Latvia became eligible for the International Monetary Fund and in 1994, took part in the NATO "Partnership for Peace" program, as well as signed the free trade agreement with the European Union. Latvia became a member nation of the European Council as well as a candidate for the membership of the European Union and Western European Union. Latvia was the first of the Baltic nations to be accepted into the World Trade Organisation.
At present national development is geared towards major foreign policy. Latvia foresees that general prosperity and welfare is possible only within the EU and NATO, as well as intensive co-operation with the other Baltic nations and nations of the Baltic Sea region.
Text: Raimonds Ceruzis
Photo credits and illustrations: Latvian Academic Library, Latvian Museum of Photography, L.Pigozne, V.Ridzenieks, A.Tenass
