• President of Russia Vladimir Putin criticizes Latvia and Estonia for a large number of non-citizens
• Russian youth organisation K.I.D. celebrates its 10th anniversary
• Vesti Segodnya continues provide opinions of several students and parents on enrolment of Russian students into Latvian universities

Yesterday,

Yesterday, the Second World Congress of Russian Compatriots was held in Sankt-Petersburg. Among other criticism was addressed to Latvia and Estonia for a large number of non-citizens. It was also stated that the governments of these countries have to reconsider their policy towards non-citizens so that the countries would observe human rights. The Russian President claimed that the Baltic States are trying to rehabilitate members of the SS troops. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the leader of the Russian youth organisation Culture. Tolerance. Friendship (K.I.D. – in its Latvian acronym) which celebrates its 10th anniversary. The leader revealed that at the beginning one of the main aims of K.I.D. activities was integration of Russian youth into Latvian surrounding, however, now the organisations primary focus is various educational and entertaining activities for young people.

Vesti Segodnya continues to provide opinions of several students and their parents on possibilities for Russian students to study at universities. They claim that according to their personal experience it is much difficult for students with Russian surnames to become students of the University of Latvia whose studies are covered from the state funding.

• Boriss Cilevics on a seminar International Legal Guarantees for the Protection of National Minorities and Problems in Their Implementation
• Activist of the Headquarters Aleksandr Kazakov: Russian parties in Latvia have to learn how to protect interests of their electorate only
• Chas prints several articles on activities of the NGO Russian Community of Liepaja

Chas features an interview with the representative of Latvia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP Boriss Cilevics (The Concord Centre) about the seminar International Legal Guarantees for the Protection of National Minorities and Problems in Their Implementation held by Russia last week. Boriss Cilevics reports that participants of the seminar shared experience of their countries concerning education of ethnic minorities.

Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools Aleksandr Kazakov in an interview with

Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools Aleksandr Kazakov in an interview with Chas stated that Russian parties in Latvia have to learn how to protect interests of their electorate only and build a dialogue with Latvian parties.

Chas prints several articles on activities of the NGO Russian Community in Liepaja (town in the Northern part of Latvia). The head of the NGO Valerijs Kravcovs revealed the plans to open extra-curriculum classes which would help children with their classes, especially the Russian language and literature.

• Representatives of Russian residents of Latvia will take part in a second World Congress of Russian Compatriots in Sankt-Petersburg
• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Russias representative in the PACE Natalia Narocnickaya on the results of the Saeima elections in Latvia
• NRA features an interview with the leader of The Concord Centre Nils Usakovs

Vesti Segodnya reports that representatives of several Russian communities in Latvia, as well as journalists, politicians, teachers and academicians will take part in a second World Congress of Russian Compatriots in Sankt-Petersburg, Russia on 24 October. The head of the NGO Russian Community in Latvia Vjaceslavs Altuhovs will report on the situation of Russians in Latvia and problems faced by them.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Russias representative in the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Natalia Narocnickaya on results of the Saeima elections in Latvia. Mrs. Narocnickaya stated that a comparatively high number of representatives of Russian-speaking minorities in the new Saeima is a positive development.

NRA features an interview with the leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Usakovs. Nils Usakovs stated that The Concord Centre and party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) are the two parties, which compete in protection of the interests of the Russian speaking electorate. Nils Usakovs also stated that his party would not support a new government if his party has no representation there. As reported, so called pro-Russian parties The Concord Centre got 17 % of votes and FHRUL – 6% in the Saeima elections held on 7 October.

• Russias officials criticize Latvia and Estonia for a large number of non-citizens
• Study Wage and its determinants claims that state language proficiency impacts amount of income in Latvia

Chas and Latvijas Avize report that the Director of the Department of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Work with Compatriots Aboard Aleksandr Chepurin has criticized Latvia and Estonia for a large number of non-citizens in the two countries. Ms. Chepurin has stated that it is a moral obligation of Russia to help ex-compatriots.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with one of the authors of a study Wage and its determinants academic Mihails Hazanovs. Mr. Hazanovs stated that the study has revealed that the factor which impacts the amount of earnings in Latvia is state language proficiency while ethnicity does not play any role.

• One of leaders of The Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics about perspectives of the party in the 9th Saeima
• Chas features an interview with a Russian woman, citizen of Latvia who has immigrated to London

One of the leaders of the party “The Concord Centre” Janis Urbanovics in an interview with

One of the leaders of the party The Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics in an interview with Chas stated that the only reason why The Concord Centre might not be invited to the governing coalition is that the majority of partys MPs and its voters are Russians. Janis Urbanovics claimed that so-called pro-Latvian parties attempt to build an ethnocratic state.

Chas features an interview with a Russian woman, citizen of Latvia, who with the family has emigrated from Latvia to London couple years ago. The woman states that the main reason of their departure was xenophobic atmosphere in the country towards non-Latvians and the implementation of education reform in minority schools. The woman argues that the only thing that could heal Latvians from xenophobia is the influx of immigrants of other skin-colour, culture, language and religion.