Unemployment in Latvia, where one in five workers is without a job, is the highest in the European Union, according to a new report from Eurostat.

The Luxembourg-based statistics agency reported Dec. 1 that seasonally adjusted unemployment in Latvia reached 20.9 percent in October, topping even Spain, where the rate was 19.3 percent. A year earlier, Latvia’s unemployment stood at 9.1 percent.

Average unemployment across the 27 countries that are members of the European Union reached 9.3 percent in October 2009, up from 7.3 percent in October 2008. The lowest unemployment rates, according to Eurostat, were recorded in the Netherlands (3.7 percent) and Austria (4.7 percent).

The average jobless rate for youth—persons younger than 25—reached 20.7 percent in October across the EU, according to Eurostat. Spain recorded the highest youth unemployment, 42.9 percent, followed by Latvia, 33.6 percent. The lowest youth unemployment was in the Netherlands, 7.2 percent.

Regional data reported by Latvia’s State Employment Agency (Nodarbinātības valsts aģentūra, or NVA) show that the Rēzekne area remains the worst in terms of joblessness. The unemployment rate there reached 30.4 percent in October, NVA officials told a Saeima commission on Nov 17. The lowest unemployment rates were found in the Tukums region (10 percent) and the Ventspils region (10.8 percent).

However, Director Baiba Paševica also noted that unemployment in Kurzeme has grown markedly, a trend usually characteristic of Latgale, according to a NVA press release. The Kuldīga region, for example, recorded unemployment of 21.2 percent in October. By contrast, Latgale’s largest city, Daugavpils, had one of the lowest unemployment rates, 11.7 percent.

NVA officials also noted that the ranks of the unemployed include more women (52 percent) than men (48 percent). That is explained in part by the fact that layoffs have been most prevalent in sectors that traditionally employ more women, such as government, education, medicine and social work.

Canada’s lawmakers have adopted a resolution calling on the government to name Aug. 23 a “Black Ribbon Day” in remembrance of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Secret protocols to the treaty carved up Eastern Europe—including Latvia—into territory to be controlled by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

The House of Commons on Nov. 30 gave unanimous consent to the resolution, which among other points noted that knowledge in Canada about the totalitarian regimes and how they terrorized people in Central and Eastern Europe is “still alarmingly superficial and inadequate.”

The resolution calls on the Canadian Parliament and government to “unequivocally condemn the crimes against humanity committed by totalitarian Nazi and Communist regimes and offer the victims of these crimes and their family members sympathy, understanding and recognition for their suffering.”

The resolution was proposed Bob Rae, a Liberal Party member of the Parliament representing Toronto Centre. The Central and Eastern European Council of Canada asked for the resolution earlier this year.

“Two years after the infamous pact Hitler’s troops stormed through the Baltic states, murdering the Jewish population and hunting down dissidents and resistance fighters,” Rae wrote in his blog. “The Soviet claim to ‘liberate’ these countries four years later was completely bogus, as would become only too clear when the Iron Curtain came tumbling down after the end of World War II.”

The resolution is the first such expression outside of Europe.  The European Parliament in April called for proclamation of Aug. 23 as a Europe-wide Remembrance Day for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Bank of Latvia, which on Nov. 26 issued a silver commemorative coin marking the legend of the first decorated holiday tree on one side and depicting mummers on the other.

The bank also issued a 1-lats copper-nickel coin depicting a Christmas tree. Unlike the commemorative coin, which is meant for collectors, the copper-nickel coin will see circulation in the public.

The 1-lats commemorative coin, minted in the Netherlands, on its front side shows a man carrying a freshly cut fir tree. A squirrel is seen jumping from the tree. The coin marks the 500th anniversary of the first Christmas tree in Rīga, which is said to have been placed in 1510 during a street carnival outside the House of the Blackheads.

“To many (the) Christmas tree is something more than just a ritual object or a decoration,” the bank announced in a press release. “It is a symbol of vitality and rebirth, of uniting spiritual energy, of peace and brotherly love. These same ideas have motivated the Bank of Latvia to issue a special coin honoring the Christmas tree.”

The reverse of the coin depicts a group of mummers in traditional masks. During wintertime, mummers travel from house to house entertaining people in return for food and drink.

The coin was designed by graphic artist Edgars Folks. Jānis Strupulis is credited with making the plaster model.

A total of 20,000 coins in proof condition have been minted, half of which are for sale within Latvia, the bank announced. The bank will sell the coin for LVL 23.10 and it also will be available in jewelry and souvenir shops.

The 1-lats copper-nickel coin, like similar pieces, depicts the country’s coat of arms on its front. The reverse has an image of a decorated Christmas tree.

The Christmas 1-lats coin is part of a series highlighting various aspects of Latvian culture and nature. Other coins have included such images as a chimney sweep, a mushroom and a Namejs ring.

The coin was minted in Germany. Graphic design of the coin is credited to Arvīds Priedīte, while Ligita Franckeviča made the plaster model. A total of 1 million pieces will be put into circulation.

The Christmas coins are the second and third new issues this month.

The central bank on Nov. 16 issued a square, 1-lats silver collector coin honoring water. Designed by Ilmārs Blumbergs, with the plaster model made by sculptor Jānis Strupulis, the coin on its front side depicts flying droplets of water, while the reverse features an ice crystal.

The coin was minted in Finland. Just 7,000 pieces were struck.

Like the commemorative Christmas coin, the water coin will be on sale in jewelry and souvenir shops, as well as at the Bank of Latvia, where its price is set at LVL 25.30.