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During the pre-election time when political parties are using different tools to improve their image in the eyes of electorate, a standpoint on always actual theme - temporary residence permits (TRP) - has been published in the media. Namely, the opinion that the Russian Federation citizens who acquire real property in Latvia and request TRP are supporters of Vladimir Putin, whose aim is to undermine the Latvian security, and Mr. Aigars Šmits, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ARCO REAL ESTATE, completely disagrees with this opinion, considering it to be populism of the highest degree.
"How miserably that the candidates are ready to misinform and mislead the population, using demagogic rhetoric to gain mass support and popularity," says with indignation Mr. A. Šmits, who has repeatedly accented that "non-residents buying Latvian properties, in some way are political refugees who are not satisfied with what is happening and who does not see a safe future for staying in Russia."
Stopping issue of TRP to the Russian Federation citizens will not solve the problem imagined by nationalistic movements, because there are also other ways allowing non-residents to enter the Republic of Latvia, for instance, by obtaining a Schengen visa, or TRP in exchange for the purchase of a real estate in another European Union country, compares the ARCO REAL ESTATE expert.
Mr. A. Šmits adds that "the State retains the right to cancel or refuse to renew a TRP issued to a non- resident in the case of any anti-state action." Therefore, any statements intended to incite hatred between peoples must be eliminated, while the voters when going to the polls, have to make a rational choice, rather than rely on demagogic statements”, says Mr. A. Šmits.
19.09.2014.