• Government plans to grant LVL 143,000 (EUR 205,000) for state language learning courses

According to amendments to the state budget of 2012 by the Ministry of Finances, LVL 143,000 (EUR 205,000) will be granted for state language learning courses in Riga, Latgale region and other Latvian regions. The funding for the state language courses will be allocated from the means of the Society Integration Foundation. As reported, the free-of-charge Latvian language courses funded by the Riga City Council for the city residents were in high demand and the groups got filled within couple days. Chas

• Asylum seekers held a picket near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers
• Diena interviews head of the Jewish Community’s Council in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko

Vesti Segodnya reports about a picket held by a couple of asylum seekers near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers. The asylum seekers held posters in Latvian and English languages saying “we are not immigrants, we are asylum seekers” and asking for asylum and protection in Latvia.

Diena prints an interview with the head of the Jewish Community’s Council in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko. According to Mr Suharenko, Latvian state is not responsible for the Holocaust, however because of the tragic events Jewish properties became property of Latvian state. Therefore, it would be morally and ethically right to return the Jewish properties lost during the Holocaust to the Jewish community. Mr Suharenko also believes that the issue of restitution of Jewish properties would not be raised if the properties were returned to the Jewish religious congregation in 1991-1993 as it was done with other confessions.

• Chancery of the President of Latvia draw attention on gaps in legal acts regarding requirements for state language proficiency

The Chancery of the President of Latvia sent a letter to the Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee drawing attention on gaps in legal acts regarding requirements for state language proficiency for deputies of local councils. The Chancery concluded that the Rules of the Cabinet of Ministers effective from 3 January 2012 do not stipulate requirements for level of state language proficiency for deputies of local councils. Latvijas Avize

• Nationalists’ union supports those residents of Ukraine who protest against the new law which recognises regional languages, including Russian
• Board member of the Reforms’ Party Janis Vilnitis: we have too many ethnic minorities

The nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM expressed its support to those residents of Ukraine who protest against the adoption of a new law which grants regional status to several minority languages in Ukraine, including Russian.  According to the nationalists’ union, Russian language has become important geopolitical weapon used by Russia in its interests. The nationalists’ union believes Ukrainian language is a foundation of state independence of Ukraine like Latvian language in Latvia. Chas

Board member of the Reforms’ Party Janis Vilnitis commenting the issue of restitution of Jewish properties stated that first of all it is important to take care of ethnic Latvians. “After that we can think of Jews, Ukrainians or Polish people – we have too many ethnic minorities” stated Mr Vilnitis. Vesti Segodnya

• MPs cannot come to a common agreement about the list of countries which should be allowed to have dual citizenship with Latvia
• Minister of Welfare Ilze Vinkele: Latvia will not avoid influx of immigrants
• Commemorative events held in Riga on the day of the commemoration of victims of the Holocaust

Chas reports that members of the Saeima’s sub-committee on elaboration of the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law cannot come to a common agreement about the list of countries which should be allowed to have dual citizenship with Latvia. According to the newspaper, the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF/LNIM and the Reforms Party consider that the dual citizenship should be allowed with countries taking into consideration their geopolitical proximity. The Concord Centre, in its turn, considers that the dual citizenship should be allowed with all the countries. In the meantime, the position of the Unity is not clear at all. It is expected, that the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law could be reviewed in the Saeima in August.

According to the Minister of Welfare Ilze Vinkele, Latvia should elaborate its immigration policy due to the future shortage of labour force in the country. The Minister believes that Latvia will not avoid influx of immigrants, therefore, it is important to evaluate all the aspects now and to decide how many people can be invited to Latvia, from which regions, on what conditions and when. Otherwise, the time will come but the country will not be ready, states Mrs Vinkele. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, in the framework of the commemoration day of the victims of Holocaust in Latvia, Latvian high officials and foreign diplomats, together with representatives of Jewish community, persons who survived the Holocaust and others, took part in the commemorative events at the memorial in Riga.  The President of Latvia Andris Berzins called all Latvian residents to remember and comprehend the Holocaust and responsibility for it. Newspapers also report about a picket conducted by radicals near the site of the commemorative event. Organiser of the picket Igors Siskins is known for radical and anti-Semitic actions and statements. Vesti Segodnya, Chas