Vilnius Mayor Initiates Signature Collection for Strengthening Immigration Policy

Valdas Benkunskas, facebook.com

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas plans to start collecting signatures from Monday with the aim of strengthening immigration policy, writes Delfi.lt.

«The goal of collecting signatures is to propose amendments to laws that stipulate that citizens of non-European Union countries who want to reside in Lithuania for more than three years must know the Lithuanian language at least at an A2 level.

Currently, there is no such requirement for those who have a temporary residence permit and live longer, therefore, there are no real incentives to learn the language, although it is a basic condition for successful integration,» the statement says.

According to the mayor of the capital, after the Vilnius City Council adopted an action plan in this area, the city is beginning to implement the foreseen measures. Benkunskas notes that learning the Lithuanian language is a priority part of the plan and a necessary condition for life in the city. This will create conditions for foreigners who have settled in Vilnius to be able to learn the state language in the most convenient way — from self-study and informal classes to academic courses.

«We can offer the best language courses, but without a clear legal requirement, we will not have long queues of those eager to learn. I have already appealed to the minister on this issue, but have not received a constructive response. Perhaps the minister's leadership lacks public support, so I am starting to mobilize citizens — by collecting signatures, we will provide the minister with a stronger mandate. We propose to introduce a requirement according to which, for the extension of a temporary residence permit in Lithuania after three years, a foreigner must have a document confirming knowledge of the Lithuanian language at no lower than A2 level. And every signature on the petition, I hope, will become an important political signal about the need to review the current regulation,» emphasizes the mayor.

It is reported that throughout May, signature collection will be organized in various locations in Vilnius. It will be conducted both in person and online through the Peticijos.lt platform.

After the Vilnius City Council adopted an action plan for the integration of foreign-born residents, the capital is beginning its implementation. It is noted that learning the Lithuanian language is a priority of the plan and a necessary condition for successful life in the city. 4.3 million euros are planned to be allocated for this and other forms of assistance to foreigners.

76 thousand foreigners reside in the capital of Lithuania, meaning every tenth resident is not a citizen of Lithuania. According to studies by the International House Vilnius center and other organizations, approximately one-third of the capital's foreign residents do not speak Lithuanian at all.

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