Lembergs: Ventspils to have its own currency

BNN

Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs

“Although we are often reproached that Ventspils is like a state within a state, we are planning to develop the city by introducing our own currency – vents,” Aivars Lembergs, Ventspils Mayor, announced in a press conference on October 7.

According to him, Europe and the whole world in general are expecting a default. Therefore, there is a question whether the euro will exist in future at all and whether the eurozone member states will not be forced to return to their national currencies. Considering all this, Ventspils is set to launch its own currency, he said.
Ventspils Mayor pointed out that the move would be very logical since the city already boasts about its own anthem, flag and time after which it celebrates the New Year, taking into account that Ventspils is about 33 minutes and 34 seconds closer to Western Europe than, for example, Riga.
He also added that Ventspils is planning to open its own embassies abroad in order to strengthen the external policy. Lembergs hopes all the democratic world will recognize the state of Venstpils.
“I realize it perfectly well that an awful lot of reproaches expect us, but there is no other way out. We are disappointed with the outcome of the elections, especially indecisiveness of politicians, their hypocrisy and greediness. We are also mulling over parliamentary elections in Ventspils,” he said.
Asked whether he was really speaking seriously, Lembergs affirmed he was meaning every word. Asked why then the new city was presented in Riga, he answered that Latvia is the first friendly country to Ventspils and the city is not intending to quit EU either.
People have already been posting critical remarks online and also laughing at Lembergs’ intention.
Whereas, the Bank of Latvia told the news agency LETA that exchange of goods and services is not forbidden in Latvia and one can even use candy wrap paper for that. However, the bank pointed out that it is still unclear how users of the new currency will settle accounts with the state. The lat is the one and only legal currency in Latvia, said Janis Motivans, Bank of Latvia representative.
He did point out though that this was his personal opinion, not the official standpoint of the Bank of Latvia.