In the resolution on the comprehensive monitoring report by the European Commission on the state of preparedness for EU membership of 11 March 2004 the European Parliament proposed that the Latvian authorities envisage the possibility of allowing non-citizens who are long-time inhabitants to take part in local self‑government elections.
Eiropas Savienība par savstarpējo diplomātisko un konsulāro aizstāvību vienojās jau 1993. gadā, pieņemot Māstrihtas līgumu.