While most Argentines are of Spanish and Italian descent, embassies in Buenos Aires representing countries that recently joined the European Union - e.g. Estonia, Lithuania and Poland - are reporting a big increase in passport applications. Daniel Schweimler reports:

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Sebastian is one of a growing number of Argentines discovering their East European roots. The Polish, Slovak, Slovenian, Estonian and Lithuanian embassies in Buenos Aires all report a growing number of enquiries and applications for passports. The Romanians, who demand that applicants speak the language, say many ask where they can learn it.

Many Argentine youngsters are simply looking for a quick and easy entrance to the European Union - some to travel, others to work. But Argentina also suffers periodic economic and political crises, and many like to have a second passport in case the need to escape should arise.

During the economic collapse of 2001, the queues outside the Italian and Spanish consulates in Buenos Aires stretched for several blocks. But now the Lithuanian authorities say that surnames such as Rodriguez and Sanchez are becoming increasingly common on the streets of Vilnius.

Daniel Schweimler, BBC News, Buenos Aires

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customs
traditions and habits

emigrated
left his native country to go and live elsewhere

gives him access to
allows him to come and live in

discovering
here, turning to, using

roots
origins, where your family comes from

periodic
happening again at certain intervals

to escape
here, to leave their country behind - because of economic and/or political difficulties there - and go to live elsewhere

economic collapse
a very severe economic crisis

stretched for several blocks
became longer than usual going as far as several blocks away

becoming increasingly common
heard more and more often

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