• Interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis
• Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposes to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow
• Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga talks about Latvian Russian relations and societal integration in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports on a meeting of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins and the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina: the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year

29 December

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis. The Minister states that the top priorities of his work is ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National minorities as well as development of civil society and regional integration. Ainars Latkovskis believes that the Framework Convention could be ratified in the Saeimas spring session. When asked to comment on the issues concerning non-citizens, the Minister says that a difficult economic situation and high rate of unemployment in Latgale region (eastern part of Latvia) are the main reasons for the large number of non-citizens and Russian citizens in this region. The Minister argues that people do not naturalise because they lack patriotism towards Latvia, but because there is a need to search for job in Russia a job.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow: a day after the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, argues that the border agreement should be signed before this date and stresses that Latvia can do it right now.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow: a day after the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, argues that the border agreement should be signed before this date and stresses that Latvia can do it right now. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga about Latvian Russian relations and societal integration in Latvia. The President believes that before ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Latvia should develop a minority definition, which would comply with the Constitution of Latvia and other domestic legal norms and international obligations as well. Vaira Vike-Freiberga is convinced that several reservations should be introduced. When asked about Latvian Russian relations, the President states that a proposal of Russia to sign the border agreement with Russia in the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow is not acceptable for Latvia.

Latvijas Avize reports on the meeting of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins and the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij. Among several topics officials discussed the implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia.

 

30 December

Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina stated that the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year, because no extra funding has been allotted for the Naturalisation Board in 2005 although the number of naturalisation applications has significantly increased.

Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina stated that the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year, because no extra funding has been allotted for the Naturalisation Board in 2005 although the number of naturalisation applications has significantly increased. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

24 December

24 December

• Latvian state officials comment on the Russian President Putins statements
• Explanation of the Latvian history in the context of minority issues will be among the next years priorities in the Latvian foreign policy
• Politicians do not support introduction of changes in the Citizenship Law

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks believes that statements made by the Russian President Vladirmirs Putins hampers development of pragmatic bilateral relations between the two countries. On 23 December the Russian President announced that the number of Russian-speakers working at Latvian state authorities should be proportional their number in the country. The Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga notes that state officials in Latvia are appointed on the basis of their qualifications and skills and not their ethnicity or gender.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks believes that statements made by the Russian President Vladirmirs Putins hampers development of pragmatic bilateral relations between the two countries. On 23 December the Russian President announced that the number of Russian-speakers working at Latvian state authorities should be proportional their number in the country. The Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga notes that state officials in Latvia are appointed on the basis of their qualifications and skills and not their ethnicity or gender. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The top priorities of the next year’s Latvian foreign policy will be explanation of the Latvian history in the context of minority issues to the international community and development of economic co-operation with foreign countries.

The top priorities of the next years Latvian foreign policy will be explanation of the Latvian history in the context of minority issues to the international community and development of economic co-operation with foreign countries. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf reports that members of the ruling parties – the Latvian First Party, the Union of the Greens and Farmers and the New Era – do not support the proposal of the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane to introduce more rigid restrictions in the Citizenship Law which would broaden the circle of persons who should not be granted Latvian citizenship.

27 December

27 December

• Administrative District Court issues a ruling in the Sivenkos case
• Prime Minister about integration issues
• Riga City Council did not have the right to prohibit the organisation of the open lesson of the Russian language

The Administrative District Court ruled that the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office to annul the personal codes of Tatiana and Karina Slivenko, the spouse and the daughter of a former Russian army officer, was illegitimate. However, the court notes that its ruling does not give any new rights to the Slivenkos: they both are Russian citizens and therefore cannot apply for the status of Latvian non-citizens.

The Administrative District Court ruled that the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office to annul the personal codes of Tatiana and Karina Slivenko, the spouse and the daughter of a former Russian army officer, was illegitimate. However, the court notes that its ruling does not give any new rights to the Slivenkos: they both are Russian citizens and therefore cannot apply for the status of Latvian non-citizens.
As reported, the Slivenkos challenged several decisions of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office that ordered removal of their names from the Registry of Residents and deportation from Latvia. Tatiana Slivenko applied with the European Court of Human Rights, which said that their right to respect for private and family life had been violated. Diena, NRA, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas re-prints excerpts of the Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis interview with the Russias newspaper Russian Newspaper. The Prime Minister argues that Latvia and Russia can live without each other; however, if they want to build relations the countries should stand on equal footing. The Prime Minister stated that the minority education reform is completed and there was no room for discussions regarding postponing or abolishing the reform. Regarding non-citizens, Aigars Kalvitis says that Latvia needs these people and if these people want to become Latvian citizens and have the right to do so, all necessary provisions are in place.

The Administrative District Court ruled that the Riga City Council did not have the right to prohibit the organisation of the open lesson of the Russian language. The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia asked the Riga City Council to issue a permission to organise the open lesson of the Russian language at the Congress House on 16 April, 2004.

The Administrative District Court ruled that the Riga City Council did not have the right to prohibit the organisation of the open lesson of the Russian language. The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia asked the Riga City Council to issue a permission to organise the open lesson of the Russian language at the Congress House on 16 April, 2004. Vesti Segodnya

28 December

28 December

• Interview with political consultant Andrej Voroncov
• Interview with the official of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office about norms and procedures of registration of children whose parents are neither Latvian citizens or non-citizens
• Analysis of integration in Latvia
• Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will wish the happy New Year in Russian
• New Era calls state officials to condemn recent statements made by Russias officials about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia
• Ratings of political parties

Chas talks to the director of the company ‘Epicentr Andrej Voroncov. He believes that in the forthcoming municipal elections, which will take place in March, the national factor will continue to play a very important role. He argues that the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will be elected to the Riga City Council, however, if the elections had taken place in August [culmination of the crisis concerning the implementation of the education reform] there would be more people who had voted for FHRUL. Andrej Voroncov states that FHRUL promised ‘empty schools, hunger strikes till the victory, but did not keep their promise and therefore several their previous supporters may not vote for them. He also notes that the future for Russian-speakers in Riga will not be ‘worse as it was and believes that Russians in Latvia should find one unifying idea to fight for. Andrej Voroncov concludes that the situation will change for the next Saeima elections when ‘our children who speak several languages and have no problems with integration will start forming their parties.

Vesti Segodnya talks to the representative of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office Laila Rieksta-Riekstina about norms and procedures concerning registration of children who are born in a family where one parent is a citizen of a foreign country and the other is a permanent resident of Latvia. Right now Latvian legislation provides that a child should be registered as a citizen of a country of his/her parent.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about integration by Juris Cibuls. The author criticises integration policy implemented in Latvia and concludes that the effective policy is only a ‘dream vision and is doomed to fail. The main issue in Latvia is ‘who will assimilate who.

NRA reports that the Channel 7 of the National Television on 30 December will broadcast the interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and at the end of the interview the President will give a short New Years speech in the Russian language. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

In the response to the recent statements made by Russia’s officials concerning the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia the New Era issued a statement. It says that Latvian officials should not ignore such statements and calls on Saeima to condemn them.

In the response to the recent statements made by Russias officials concerning the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia the New Era issued a statement. It says that Latvian officials should not ignore such statements and calls on Saeima to condemn them. Chas

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti’ the New Era remains the most popular party also in December – 14 per cent Latvian citizens support the party. The New Era is followed by the People’s Party (8.5 per cent), the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (9 per cent), FF/LNIM (8.8 per cent) and the Union of the Greens and Farmers (6 per cent).

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti the New Era remains the most popular party also in December – 14 per cent Latvian citizens support the party. The New Era is followed by the Peoples Party (8.5 per cent), the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (9 per cent), FF/LNIM (8.8 per cent) and the Union of the Greens and Farmers (6 per cent). Diena, Chas

 

 

• Interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga comments on the anti-Semitic statements made by the Russian Ambassador to Latvia
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins will not apologise for comments on Russian-Latvian relations
• State Security Police initiate a criminal case of incitement of national hatred

Telegraf prints an interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The main topics of the interview are Latvian Russian relations, the economic role of Russia and domestic issues. The President does not agree with the view that Latvias society is getting more extreme and believes that in the upcoming municipal elections Latvian citizens will not support radical forces. Regarding the minority education reform, the President states that the reform was very politicised and used by several political forces to manipulate with feelings of Russian-speakers to ensure political support for these forces. When asked whether the President is not concerned that so many people [non-citizens] do not have any rights to participate in Latvias political life, Vaira Vike-Freiberga says that she would be very happy to introduce herself with a sociologic study about mentality of these people and argues that there are so many non-citizens because of the passive attitude of these people: either they are not interested in politics or they do not understand what it is about.

‘An ambassador, when s/he makes certain statements, represents the stance of his government on this issue,’ stated the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga commenting on the latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij which according to representatives of the Jewish community and historians are anti-Semitic. In the interview with Latvian Radio, the President said such statements are not acceptable.

‘An ambassador, when s/he makes certain statements, represents the stance of his government on this issue, stated the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga commenting on the latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij which according to representatives of the Jewish community and historians are anti-Semitic. In the interview with Latvian Radio, the President said such statements are not acceptable. Diena

The Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that he should not apologise for his comments on Latvian Russian relations [that there are only two ways of building relations with Russia ‘either to beat her up or to lick the dust’] as it was asked by the Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian State Council Konstantin Kosatchev. The Russian official evaluated the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins as provocative and offensive.

The Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that he should not apologise for his comments on Latvian Russian relations [that there are only two ways of building relations with Russia ‘either to beat her up or to lick the dust] as it was asked by the Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian State Council Konstantin Kosatchev. The Russian official evaluated the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins as provocative and offensive. Latvijas Avize

On the basis of the application submitted by the Head of the parliamentary group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners State Security Police initiated a criminal case of incitement of national hatred in a number of articles published by the national-radical internet portal

On the basis of the application submitted by the Head of the parliamentary group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners State Security Police initiated a criminal case of incitement of national hatred in a number of articles published by the national-radical internet portal www.latvians.lv. The newspaper also reports that the Prosecutor General Office replied to the application of the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins. In his application Aleksandrs Kirsteins asked the Prosecutor General Office to examine whether publications in the Russian language media incite national hatred. The Prosecutor General Office replied that publications do not incite national hatred, but reflect personal views of journalists. Chas

• MP Ingrida Circene (The New Era) is a new head of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee
• Interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane
• Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian State Council Konstantin Kosatchev asks Latvia to apologise

The MP and former Minister of Health Ingrida Circene (The New Era)is appointed to the post of head of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee.

The MP and former Minister of Health Ingrida Circene (The New Era)is appointed to the post of head of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee. Vesti Segodnya criticises the appointment of Ingrida Circene to the post, stressing that she has no experience with human rights issues. The new Head stated that the top priorities of the Committee are revision of three laws: the Law on Radio and Television, the Anti-Discrimination Law and the Ombudsman Law. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. When asked to comment on the refusal to grant Latvian citizenship to the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis, Eizenija Aldermane stresses that the governments decision bears a political character and that means that Jurijs Petropavlovskis can reapply for naturalisation after a year. Eizenija Aldermane argues that the Citizenship Law should be amended so it would prohibit a grant of Latvian citizenship to persons who are activists of organisations, which goals are anti-constitutional. Eizenija Aldermane also believes that the loyalty pledge taken by naturalisation applicants should imply more responsibility of an applicant. She also argues that only Latvian citizens should have the right to work as teachers.

The Head of the Russian State Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosatchev believes that the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins should apologise to Russia for his latest comments regarding Russia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that there are only two ways to build relations with Russia: ‘either to beat her up or to lick the dust.’ Konstantin Kosatchev says that such statements are provocative and offensive.

The Head of the Russian State Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosatchev believes that the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins should apologise to Russia for his latest comments regarding Russia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that there are only two ways to build relations with Russia: ‘either to beat her up or to lick the dust. Konstantin Kosatchev says that such statements are provocative and offensive. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

• Latvian government cautious towards the call of the Baltic Assembly to launch negotiations with Russia and Germany about compensations brought by occupations
• Discussions on the latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• Candidacy of the Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Andis Teikmanis for the post of Latvian Ambassador to Russia under discussions
• Discussions on the role of the Latvian language in social integration
• Administrative Regional Court reduces a fine imposed for organisation of the unapproved protest action against the education reform
• NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia starts official registration of its members

The Latvian government is cautious about the call the Baltic Assembly to launch negotiations with Russia and Germany about compensations for losses brought by Soviet and German occupations. The Latvian government believes that several other key issues, for example signing of the border agreement with Russia, should be solved before Latvia asks for compensation. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis doubts whether such claims would have any results and believes that it would be more important if Russia recognises the occupation of Latvia. Historians, interviewed by

The Latvian government is cautious about the call the Baltic Assembly to launch negotiations with Russia and Germany about compensations for losses brought by Soviet and German occupations. The Latvian government believes that several other key issues, for example signing of the border agreement with Russia, should be solved before Latvia asks for compensation. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis doubts whether such claims would have any results and believes that it would be more important if Russia recognises the occupation of Latvia. Historians, interviewed by Diena, support the stance of the Prime Minister. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Dienas columnist Aivars Ozolins criticizes the attitude of the Latvian government towards the latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij. Integration experts and representatives of the Jewish community believe that these statements were anti-Semitic: the Ambassador said that Russia should not apologise to Latvia for the Soviet occupation because ‘what should the Russian people be blamed for? The KGB was headed by Pole Dzerzinskis; out of 44 members of the War Council 38 were Jews, 4 Latvians and only one was a Russian. In the opinion of Ozolins the Latvian government is too tolerant to the Kaluznijs statements and in other countries such statements would have led to international scandal. While Viktor Kaluznij in the interview with the newspaper Latvijas Avize expressed his incomprehension about the discussion regarding his statements. He stressed that he ‘has nothing in common with anti-Semitism and he only ‘provided statistical information and nothing else. The Ambassador once again stressed that Russia will not apologise to Latvia, because the majority of Russian citizens were not even born then and there was no state called Russia. Viktor Kaluznij, however, reproaches Latvia for imposing the language of instruction in minority schools and Latvias requirements which provide that even senior non-citizens have to learn Latvian to acquire Latvian citizenship. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Referring to unofficial sources of information,

Referring to unofficial sources of information, Vesti Segodnya reports that the Deputy State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Andis Teikmanis is nominated for the post of the Latvian Ambassador to Russia.

Latvijas Avize features a discussion among Norwegian Rihard Berug, German Matiass Knoll and Georgian Mariam Koberidze about the role of the Latvian language in social integration. All participants agree that in Latvia there are many people, including the service sector, who do not speak Latvian at all. Rihard Berug argues that in order to strengthen the role of Latvian in society a positive attitude towards the Latvian language should be developed. Rihard Berug believes that the policy of the Russian Federation does not foster development of a positive attitude towards the Latvian language and Latvia.

The Administrative Regional Court reduced the amount of a fine from LVL 100 (EUR 144) to LVL 50 (EUR 72) imposed on the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and the deputy of Riga City Council Aleksandrs Gilmans for the organisation of the unapproved protest action against the education reform.

The Administrative Regional Court reduced the amount of a fine from LVL100 (EUR 144) to LVL50 (EUR 72) imposed on the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and the deputy of Riga City Council Aleksandrs Gilmans for the organisation of the unapproved protest action against the education reform. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday representatives of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia started official registration of its members. According to a representative of the NGO, more than 50,000 people have expressed readiness to join this organisation.

Yesterday representatives of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia started official registration of its members. According to a representative of the NGO, more than 50,000 people have expressed readiness to join this organisation. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf