A meeting of the Latvian cabinet confirmed the new citizens at its meeting, with the total including one child who has naturalized alongside his or her parents.
Of the 77 applicants for citizenship, 64% are Russians, 7% are Ukrainians, 11% are Belarusians, with Lithuanian, Polish and people of other backgrounds also welcomed into the Latvian national family.
In the coming days, new citizens will receive a notification from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), which will contain information on the person's admission to the citizenship, as well as the most important information about drawing up a new Latvian citizen's passport.
In accordance with the procedure for naturalization, 146,136 persons have gained citizenship since 1995.
The situation of the large number of "non-citizens" in the country - usually Soviet-era immigrants and their descendants - frequently makes international headlines. However, citizenship is available to them by means of naturalization which involves taking basic tests in Latvian history and language.
Congratulations to all 78.
On November 18, Latvia celebrates 100 years of statehood.
