• President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia
• Chas reports on closure of Russian language classes in a secondary school in Aluksne
• Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns: those non-citizens who have received citizenship to gain benefits are disloyal towards Latvia
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre might be re-organised
• Diena: implementation of the European Commissions proposal on special work permits for highly qualified guest workers from non-EU states will not cause large influx of labour force into Latvia

Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia. The Border Agreement will come into force after both countries exchange ratification documents.

Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia. The Border Agreement will come into force after both countries exchange ratification documents. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Chas reports on closure of Russian language classes in a secondary school in Aluksne (town in the North-eastern part of Latvia) due to the luck of pupils. According to the newspaper, parents of Russian speaking children complain that their children have to study in classes with Latvian language of instructions because they have no other options.

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee, MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) has stated that those non-citizens who have received citizenship to gain benefits are disloyal towards Latvia. Peteris Tabuns considers that naturalisation examination is too simple and must be complicated. Mr. Tabuns also categorically objected against influx of immigrants to Latvia.

Latvijas Avize reports that the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre might be re-organised if the merger of both institutions fails.

According to

According to Diena, implementation of the European Commissions proposal on special work permits for highly qualified guest workers from non-EU states will not cause large influx of labour force into Latvia due to the low wages and reserved attitude of society. In an interview with the newspaper, the General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle has stated that for foreign specialists Latvia is not as attractive as countries with more open social policy. However, academician Mihails Hazans believes that such work permits might attract to Latvia specialists from Eastern European countries.

• Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights would split society along ethnic lines
• Latvijas Avize reports on a visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg to Latvia
• Telegraf prints an article about a study Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya reports on the European Russian forum
• Chas reports on festivity of Russian language in Daugavpils

The member of the Riga City Council, head of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would split society along ethnic lines. Igors Pimenovs believes that ethnic split regarding political issues would increase tension between Latvians and Russian speaking residents. Mr. Pimenovs also believes that the referendum might be used by national radical parties, because rising interethnic tensions will strengthen their position. Chas

The member of the Riga City Council, head of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would split society along ethnic lines. Igors Pimenovs believes that ethnic split regarding political issues would increase tension between Latvians and Russian speaking residents. Mr. Pimenovs also believes that the referendum might be used by national radical parties, because rising interethnic tensions will strengthen their position. Chas

Latvijas Avize reports on a visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg to Latvia. According to the newspaper, the Commissioner wanted to get acquainted with present situation in Latvia and to find out whether his previous recommendations on human rights issues have been taken into consideration. In the framework of the visit, Mr. Hammarberg has hold meetings with NGOs representatives, experts, ministers and other state officials.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the European Russian forum Russian Speaking Society in Europe and its Role in EU - Russia Relations held in Brussels from 1-2 October. The participants of the forum, including representatives from Latvia, among other, have discussed issues concerning Russian minorities in Europe and non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia.

Telegraf prints an article about a study Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia recently conducted by the Centre for Eastern European Political Studies. As reported, according to the study, Russia hinders integration process in Latvia. In an interview with the newspaper, political scientist, ex-Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks has agreed that Russia troubles integration process using mass media, various conferences, history curriculum and other means which form conflict opinions in Latvian society. However, Mr. Muiznieks believes that domestic mass media and political parties create much more obstacles for integration. While, the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre), in an interview with Telegraf, has stated that the study cannot be evaluated as significant scientific study and it was conducted with prearranged results.

Chas reports on festivity of Russian language in Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia) held with support of the House of Moscow.

• President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden: situation where ethnic minorities are deprived of rights to participate in political and social life is inappropriate for Europe
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins considers that Latvia has to continue protecting its labour market
• Chas reports that representatives of Latvia are taking part in the European Russian Forum
• Days of Russian Culture in Ventspils

After an official visit to Latvia and Estonia, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden has stated: “situation where ethnic minorities are deprived of rights to participate in political and social life is inappropriate for Europe. In contemporary civilised society millions of people cannot be deprived of rights.”

After an official visit to Latvia and Estonia, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden has stated: situation where ethnic minorities are deprived of rights to participate in political and social life is inappropriate for Europe. In contemporary civilised society millions of people cannot be deprived of rights. Vesti Segodnya

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins criticizes the position of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia according to which Latvia must simplify procedure for legal employment of foreigners. The Minister has stated that Latvia has to continue protecting its labour market, therefore, attraction of guest workers must remain expensive and time consuming procedure. Gaidis Berzins considers that influx of cheep labour force would have negative impact on several social and economical issues. The Minister also considers that Latvia has to attract qualified guest workers from the EU countries who are ready to learn Latvian language and to respect Latvia culture and traditions.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins criticizes the position of the Employers Confederation of Latvia according to which Latvia must simplify procedure for legal employment of foreigners. The Minister has stated that Latvia has to continue protecting its labour market, therefore, attraction of guest workers must remain expensive and time consuming procedure. Gaidis Berzins considers that influx of cheep labour force would have negative impact on several social and economical issues. The Minister also considers that Latvia has to attract qualified guest workers from the EU countries who are ready to learn Latvian language and to respect Latvia culture and traditions. Vesti Segodnya

Chas reports that representatives of Latvia are taking part in the European Russian Forum Russian Speaking Society in Europe and its Role in EU - Russia Relations held in Brussels from 1-2 October.

Chas reports on the Days of Russian Culture in Ventspils (city in the North-western part of Latvia). Various concerts and cultural events were held in the framework of the festivity.

• Members of the Association of History of Ghetto and Jewish Genocide have sent an open letter to the General Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis with an appeal to evaluate a decision to terminate criminal proceedings against neo-Nazi Andris Jordans
• Leader of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks criticizes Latvian authorities for unwillingness to solve problems concerning ethnic integration in Latvia

The members of the Association of History of Ghetto and Jewish Genocide have sent an open letter to the General Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis criticising a decision of the Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court to terminate criminal proceedings against a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans who has stated at public discussion that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans’ and it would be preferable to exterminate them. The members of the Association ask the General Prosecutor to evaluate the decision.

The members of the Association of History of Ghetto and Jewish Genocide have sent an open letter to the General Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis criticising a decision of the Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court to terminate criminal proceedings against a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans who has stated at public discussion that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. The members of the Association ask the General Prosecutor to evaluate the decision. Vesti Segodnya

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the leader of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks criticizes Latvian authorities for unwillingness to solve problems concerning ethnic integration in Latvia. Igors Kuzmuks believes that the government ignores the fact that Latvia is two community state. Igors Kuzmuks also has stated that Prata Speks will continue to provide free-of-charge Latvian language courses for promotion of real integration.

• Chas reports on first ever free of charge courses in Daugavpils for Roma minority members preparing to pass exam for Latvian language proficiency certificate
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a draft law which stipulates conditions for persons to change their name, surname and ethnic belonging
• Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will visit Latvia in October
• Diena prints an article about a research Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia

Chas reports on first ever free of charge courses in Daugavpils for Roma minority members preparing to pass exam for Latvian language proficiency certificate. According to the head of Roma NGO in Daugavpils Me-Roma, unemployment level among Roma people is higher than among other ethnic minorities and one of the main reasons for that was absence of language proficiency certificate.

A new draft law presented at a meeting of the State Secretaries yesterday allows a person who reached the age of 15 to change his/her name, surname and ethnic belonging if these factors complicate life of a person, person wants to receive double name or surname, person changes gender or wants to return family surname. According to the draft project, if a person wants to change ethnic belonging to Latvian ethnicity s/he doesn’t need to present a document which confirms state language proficiency.

A new draft law presented at a meeting of the State Secretaries yesterday allows a person who reached the age of 15 to change his/her name, surname and ethnic belonging if these factors complicate life of a person, person wants to receive double name or surname, person changes gender or wants to return family surname. According to the draft project, if a person wants to change ethnic belonging to Latvian ethnicity s/he doesnt need to present a document which confirms state language proficiency. Vesti Segodnya

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will come with an official visit to Latvia in the beginning of October.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will come with an official visit to Latvia in the beginning of October. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by the Executive Director of the Centre for Eastern European Political Studies (CEPS) Andis Kudors about a research Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia conducted by the CEPS. According to the results of the research, Western countries and international organisations have had a positive influence on society integration process in Latvia, although, influence of the Russian Federation has hindered integration process. The authors of the research concluded that Russian institutions have tried to promote parallel integration of Russian speaking residents of Latvia towards Russia. According to the research, Russian influence is aimed against Latvian ethnic integration policy and contradicts Latvian legal acts concerning the state language.