• Social agreement between Latvia and Russia might be ratified within the next year

Telegraf reports that the social agreement between Latvia and Russia signed recently by both countries officials might be ratified within the next year. As reported, the social agreement is important for those Latvian non-citizens who have worked outside of Latvia during Soviet times because the agreement stipulates inclusion of these years in the total length of service and thus their pensions would rise.

• Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia
• Chas prints an interview with the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka about issues concerning Russian speaking residents in the EU countries

Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. Yesterday, Mr. Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins have exchanged with instruments of ratification of the border agreement between two countries thus the agreement has come into effect. In the framework of the visit, the representatives of Russia and Latvia have signed the social agreement stipulating that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period is included in the total length of service and the agreement on mutual protection of monuments and burial places. Sergey Lavrov has stated that Latvia should find a way to solve mass-scale non-citizenship in the country. At a meeting with the Orthodox metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia Aleksandr, Mr. Lavrov has stated that Russia is planning to establish the Centre of Russian Culture in Latvia. Sergey Lavrov also has officially invited the President of Latvia Vladis Zatlers to visit Russia.

Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. Yesterday, Mr. Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins have exchanged with instruments of ratification of the border agreement between two countries thus the agreement has come into effect. In the framework of the visit, the representatives of Russia and Latvia have signed the social agreement stipulating that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period is included in the total length of service and the agreement on mutual protection of monuments and burial places. Sergey Lavrov has stated that Latvia should find a way to solve mass-scale non-citizenship in the country. At a meeting with the Orthodox metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia Aleksandr, Mr. Lavrov has stated that Russia is planning to establish the Centre of Russian Culture in Latvia. Sergey Lavrov also has officially invited the President of Latvia Vladis Zatlers to visit Russia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Chas prints an interview with the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka about issues concerning Russian speaking residents in the EU countries. Mrs. Zdanoka believes that the biggest her achievement at the deputys post is cancellation of visa requirements for non-citizenship to travel within the EU.

• Newspapers report about todays official visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya reports about a conference of the Russian Community in Latvia

Newspapers report about today’s official visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. In the framework of the visit, Mr. Lavrov and other Russian high officials will meet with the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, the acting Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and other Latvian officials. The central aim of the visit is the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the border agreement between the two countries. Also it is planned to sign a social agreement (which stipulates that working time spent by non-citizens

Newspapers report about todays official visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. In the framework of the visit, Mr. Lavrov and other Russian high officials will meet with the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, the acting Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and other Latvian officials. The central aim of the visit is the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the border agreement between the two countries. Also it is planned to sign a social agreement (which stipulates that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period would be included in the total length of service and thus their pensions would rise) and the agreement on mutual protection of monuments and burial places. The Russian officials also are planning to discuss the rights of Russian speaking residents and non-citizens in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports about a conference of the Russian Community in Latvia (RCL). The RCL has adopted a resolution requesting the following: granting Latvian citizenship to all non-citizens; granting Russian language official status in Latvia; and restoration of full-scale education in Russian language.

• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens: all children born in Latvia should be granted Latvian citizenship automatically
• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with a specialist on education in ethnic minorities schools of the Ministry of Education Olita Arkle
• Latvijas Avize reports about a project Ethnic Diversity held by the international student organisation AIESEC RIGA

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens considers that all children born in Latvia should be granted Latvian citizenship automatically. At present, if a child is born in a family of two non-citizens Latvian citizenship could be grated only by application of both parents who must comply with several requirements such as their permanent place of residence must be Latvia; both parents should be persons without citizenship or non-citizens; and neither of parents should be sentenced for a crime with more than five years of imprisonment. The Minister believes that granting all new-borns citizenship would increase number of citizens in Latvia and would facilitate consolidation of society.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens considers that all children born in Latvia should be granted Latvian citizenship automatically. At present, if a child is born in a family of two non-citizens Latvian citizenship could be grated only by application of both parents who must comply with several requirements such as their permanent place of residence must be Latvia; both parents should be persons without citizenship or non-citizens; and neither of parents should be sentenced for a crime with more than five years of imprisonment. The Minister believes that granting all new-borns citizenship would increase number of citizens in Latvia and would facilitate consolidation of society. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with a specialist on education in ethnic minorities schools of the Ministry of Education Olita Arkle. Mrs. Arkle considers that ethnic minorities schools provide all opportunities for preservation of ethnic identity. Mrs. Arkle believes that the main problem in minority schools is lack of good quality textbooks. According to Olita Arkle, data available in the Ministry of Education show that quality of education in minority schools after implementation of education reform in 2004 has neither worsened nor improved.

Latvijas Avize reports about a project Ethnic Diversity held by the international student organisation AIESEC RIGA. Students from various countries have visited Latvian schools sharing their experience of co-existence with representatives of ethnic minorities in their countries.

 

• State Language Centre has punished nine persons for insufficient usage of state language at work in November

Latvijas Avize reports that in November, the State Language Centre has punished nine persons, including a nurse, a bartender, and shop workers, with pecuniary penalties for insufficient usage of state language at work.