Abrene region

Abrene region is a territory of over 1000 square kilometers, currently controlled by Russian Federation, just northeast of Latvia. Due to the fact that the region was controlled by Latvia during interwar period, there is a believe, especially strong in Latvia, that this region should belong to Latvia.

History

This territory was granted to Latvia in 1920 when treaty between Latvia and Soviet Union was signed which recognised the independence of Latvia. However when Latvia was occupied by Soviet Union after World War 2, this territory was detached from Latvian SSR and added to Russians TSFR instead, this happened in 1944. Since then local Latvian population in the territory was changed by Russians. The town of Abrene, largest town in region, was renamed Pytalovo, other towns were also renamed in Russian. The region became Pytalovo district under Pskov Oblast. Some territories of Estonia were also detached and attached to Pskov Oblast of RTSFR instead (see Petseri region, East coast of Narva). After Latvia regained independence in 1991, the Abrene region remained in Russia, although Latvia continued trying to assert it through diplomatic means. In 1996 it was postponed in exchange for Russian recognition of Latvian independence. In 2005 president Vaira Vyke Freiberga said that most likely the border treaty which is planned to be signed soon would forever cede the Abrene region to Russia, this way ending the dispute. This however led to some protest by a group called Abrenian Union, which members were once living in Abrene but were eventually forced out. That group demands referendum for the future of Abrene region. Latvian government tries to get payment from Russia to repay costs of nationalised buildings, land an dother property in the territory however. Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed that Latvian wishes to get control of the area are supposedly against the spirit of Europe; the region is one of reasopns why Latvian-Russian border treaty is not signed, as Latvians would want a mention of 1920 peace treaty (which granted Abrene region to Latvia) in such border treaty.

Also see

Occupied territories of Baltic States