• Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Rohards Kols: Latvia has opened its door for colonisation
• Vesti Segodnya interviews journalist, initiator of a movement of European Russians Igors Vatolins

The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Rohards Kols (All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) stated that Latvia has opened its door for colonisation by granting residence permits to foreign investors. In particular, according to Mr Kols, Latvia is being sold out to Russia and Russian investors who received residence permit here demand for respect and honour and for talking to them in Russian language. Mr Kols also stated that it is a myth that residence permits are granted to wealthy and intelligent Russian citizens. Mr Kols is convinced that there is a very high probability, that Latvia has opened its doors for criminals. Therefore, Mr Kols proposed to amend the Immigration Law adopting more severe criteria for granting residence permits. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews journalist, initiator of a movement of European Russians Igors Vatolins. According to Mr Vatolins, the movement cannot be ethnic Russian, or ethnic Latvian, or Jewish but it should be movement of Latvian residents. He believes that a serious conversation can happen not between ethnic Russians or ethnic Latvians, but between Latvians of Russian, Latvian and Jewish origin about challenges faced by the state and not by the ethnic communities. Mr Vatolins believes that idea of united state is not proposed by any of the political parties and it should mature within the depths of the civil society.

• Nationalists’ union wants toevaluate a co-operation agreement between the “Russian Union in Latvia” and Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity”
• Minister of Education Ina Druviete confirms that the Ministry works on preparation to transfer education in ethnic minority schools mostly into Latvian language

Latvijas Avize reports that the nationalists’ union decided to nominate its member Gaidis Berzins to the post of the Minister of Justice. Gaidis Berzins stated that one of his first tasks at the post will be assigning responsible authorities to evaluate a co-operation agreement concluded between the political party “Russian Union in Latvia” and Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity.” According to the newspaper, such actions help Russia to legitimize occupation of Crimea. However, the Minister of Foreign Edgars Rinkevics does not agree that state institutions should react on such action. Mr Rinkevics says that the “Russian Union in Latvia” does not represent official position of Latvia regarding Crimea, but actions against it will give a platform to yell about suppression of Russian speakers in Latvia. Mr Rinkevics believes that Latvia’s partners in the EU, NATO and Ukraine know that Latvia stands for Ukrainian territorial integrity and does not recognize annexation of Crimea. 

In an interview with Latvijas Avize, the Minister of Education Ina Druviete confirms that since January the Ministry works on preparation to transfer education in ethnic minority schools mostly into Latvian language staring with 2018. According to the Minister, preparatory work goes in three directions: further education of teachers, including, improving teachers’ Latvian language proficiency; planning how to improve curriculum; explaining parents how will the reform happen and convincing that education in state language will benefit intellectual development of children and give them wide range of possibilities to integrate in the Latvian society. The Minister also notes that the task is also to ensure equality good proficiency in state language and in native language because it is not policy of assimilation.

• Well-known Latvian writer and journalist Marina Kostenecka calls to stop incitement of ethnic hatred in Latvia
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics accused the “Concord” of activities against Latvia’s independence
• Member of the nationalists’ union Janis Iesalnieks most likely will be appointed to the post of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice

A well-known Latvian writer and journalist Marina Kostenecka called representatives of ethnic Latvian intelligentsia to stop politicians from incitement of hatred between ethnic Latvian and ethnic Russian residents. She also called to postpone for a historically long time the idea of transition of Russian language schools into Latvian language. Mrs Kostenecka believes that protest action against such reform might turn very dangerous as “there will be enough with only one shot from unknown sniper into a woman or a child and events might turn out similar to the ones happening in Ukraine.” Vesti Segodnya

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics made a statement in his Twitter profile saying “I have substantial disagreement with Nils Usakovs and the party “Concord” as I see Latvia in Europe as free and independent state, but they as Moscow’s protectorate.” Responding to such statement the “Concord” accused the Minister of spreading lies and incitement of ethnic hatred. The “Concord” also prepared a reply statement to the European parties and foreign embassies telling about the Minister’s lies accusing the biggest political party in Latvia in activities against independent Latvia and its membership in the European Union. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that member of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM Janis Iesalnieks most likely will be appointed to the post of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice. The newspaper notes that Mr Iesalnieks was forced to withdraw his candidacy for the last Saeima’s elections after his statement that multiculturalists should feel guilty for the Breivik massacre because their policy of islamisation led to insanity of the attacker. Mr Iesalnieks is also known for statements that so-called „intelligent anti-Semitism” is permissible in discussions.

• Ombudsman Juris Jansons: large number of non-citizens in Latvia is not violation of any rights
• Russian Union in Latvia conducted a protest action against Latvian foreign policy towards Russia

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Ombudsman Juris Jansons proposes to stop using the word “non-citizens.” Instead of that, the Ombudsman proposes to call persons who have Latvian non-citizen’s passports - “former citizens of the USSR.” The Ombudsman argues that there is certain group of residents who voluntarily chose to keep Latvian non-citizen’s passports in order to obtain a number of advantages provided by Latvia and Russia. Therefore, the large number of non-citizens in Latvia cannot be viewed as violation of any rights, says Mr Jansons.

Newspapers report about a protest action conducted by the members of the political party Russian Union in Latvia against Latvian foreign policy which harms relations between Latvia and Russia. The picket was held near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its members demanded for resignation of the Minister Edgars Rinkevics for his “radical” actions turned against Russia and support for anti-Russian sanctions. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

• “Russian Union in Latvia” signed a co-operation agreement with Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity”
• Latvijas Avize interviews the MP from the nationalists’ union Janis Dombrava

The political party “Russian Union in Latvia” signed a co-operation agreement with Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity.” The aim of the agreement is to strengthen unity of Russian world, ensure mutual support between political and non-governmental organisations in Crimea and Latvia, and distribute best experience in elaboration of legal acts, administrative governance, and cooperation with civil society. The newspaper notes that leaders of the “Russian Union in Latvia” Tatjana Zdanoka and Miroslavs Mitrofanovs were observers at the referendum on merge of Crimea with Russia in March 2014. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize interviews the MP from the nationalists’ union Janis Dombrava. According to him, education of ethnic minorities in Latvia functions well as there are Polish, Ukrainian, Lithuanian and other schools. At the same time, J.Dombrava stresses that Russian language schools should not be the exception and should integrate in the common education system of ethnic minorities. J.Dombrava believes that it is not possible to integrate artificially ethnic Russian residents because almost all information they receive comes from their own sources. Integration should occur through kindergartens, school system and work place – says J.Dombrava. He also tells about summer camps organised by the nationalists’ union for young people aimed at intensive patriotic education and rising up faithful followers of the idea of ethnic Latvian Latvia. J.Dombrava also states that the nationalists’ union is ready to take over the supervision of all the government in Latvia and it has candidates for all the ministers.