Update April 2000: Latvia

1. Promotion of advanced technologies

Development of the national information infrastructure, applications of advanced information and communication technologies will create new opportunities for enhancing the quality of life and business activities. In the major part of the EU Member States there is already a well-established information infrastructure. For Latvia, likewise other CEE countries, introduction of modern information and telecommunications technologies is behind the world level and it is therefore becoming an essential national component in the future.

Technology is vital to development of Latvia’s economy, explosion of ICT -- computers, software, communications equipment, is a driving force for the economy. Development of ICT results in social and societal effects. Therefore the National Program "Informatics" envisages active development of both technologies and services. The Program presents an overall view on the prospective development of communications and information technologies. It also characterises the forecasts of ICT development. The program demonstrates and covers development of technology in respect to network technologies (Internet and Intranet), electronic commerce, innovation process, realisation of pilot projects. The state’s role in influencing these factors is also shown. By failing to implement the Program’s tasks, Latvia will face the danger of increased technological backwardness in comparison with the economically developed countries. The danger is that this backwardness will become irreversible.

Harmonious development of computer and communications technologies and software directly influences all information services and applications. A characteristic development feature for information and telecommunications technologies is convergence based on digitalisation. Widely developed and digitised telecommunications, data transmission and broadcasting networks are a necessary precondition for versatile application of information technologies and services.

The main entrance of modern technologies into the Latvian society has been the academic community (specialists from Latvia University and Riga Technical University first of all) as well as foreign partners and investors in joint ventures, including those in public network operators companies (Lattelekom, Latvia Mobile Telephone, Baltcom GSM).

The new technologies are being promoted and analysed as well as society’s knowledge on technologies is being promoted by holding exhibitions, meetings, forums. These promotion activities present an overall view on the prospective development of communications and information technologies, as well as characterise the forecasts of ICT development and implementation in Latvia. E.g., annual exhibitions "Baltic IT&T" feature the latest achievements in information technologies, telecommunications and office equipment with the participation of many leading international and local companies. Detailed and professional information on technologies is being obtained from company presentations.

2. Development of legislation policy

In order to develop a sustainable information society in Latvia a well-ordered normative environment is necessary where the person’s rights that are characteristic for the democratic European states are respected, the business activity, innovation process, influx of investments and de-monopolisation are encouraged and computer crimes are restricted. This would in turn enable Latvia to reach the judicial level conformed to the European Union.

The laws and normative acts of Latvia in all fields must be harmonised with the EU requirements and other bilateral and multilateral obligations of Latvia. This implies constant follow up to the changes in circumstances, EU directives and international treaties, as well as elaboration of corresponding amendments to the judicial acts. If the national regulation in Latvia will directly differ from the EU legislation or if even will not be sufficiently harmonised, it will result in isolation and fragmentation of the market for information services in Latvia.

In order to enable E-commerce, advanced financial transactions, effective governance of the country the legal status of electronic documents and their archives, as well as electronic identification data, signatures and seals will be determined. Full legal equivalence between digital and paper documents will be achieved. This will be a result by usage of digital signature products. It will be possible for everybody working with financial and juridical institutions to use digital signature products.

General availability of public sector information is the substantial component of the National Program "Informatics". This postulate includes information on normative acts (laws, regulations and directions of the Cabinet of Ministers and ministries etc.) including drafts of these documents.

Modernising government means creation of partnership between public institutions and citizens. Formation of laws and other normative acts require not only a long-term qualitative work of politicians, highly skilled lawyers, branch and other specialists. It is not a one-time action, but a long-time process. It is necessary to give a possibility for every NGO as well as for everybody to study drafts of normative acts during their approving process in the government and the Saeima (Parliament), to submit amendments and in that way to participate in the legislation process.