• Telegraf interviews the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens
• Latvijas Avize interviews the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane on issues concerning a proposal to allow double citizenship for children of Latvian citizens who were born abroad
• According to the State Employment Agency, 1,370 foreigners have received working permits in Latvia during the first half of 2007
• NGO of Russian Culture in Jelgava Veche is inviting persons and organisations to participate in a co-operation circle Cultural Co-operation 2007

Telegraf prints an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens. The Minister has stated that Latvia is not ready for liberalisation of its labour market. Oskars Kastens believes that Latvia should carefully open its labour market only for professions with greatest shortage of labour and for workers from certain countries. According to Mr. Kastens, in autumn, the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in co-operation with the Naturalisation Board, are planning to study the reasons why non-citizens are not willing to naturalise.

Latvijas Avize interviews the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane on issues concerning a proposal to allow double citizenship for children of Latvian citizens who were born abroad. Ms. Aldermane believes that such amendments in the Citizenship Law would help to protect rights of Latvian citizens who live abroad and would prevent the decrease of Latvian community. Eizenija Aldermane considered that double citizenship might be granted to children with a reservation that they will have to choose which countrys citizenship to keep upon reaching full age.

According to the State Employment Agency, 1,370 foreigners have received working permits in Latvia in the first half of 2007. 60 percents of working permits were issued to guest workers from Ukraine (447 persons) and Moldova (420).  Working permits were issued also to109 Uzbekistanis, 95 Belorussians and 77 Russians.

According to the State Employment Agency, 1,370 foreigners have received working permits in Latvia in the first half of 2007. 60 percents of working permits were issued to guest workers from Ukraine (447 persons) and Moldova (420). Working permits were issued also to109 Uzbekistanis, 95 Belorussians and 77 Russians. NRA

Vesti Segodnya reports that the NGO of Russian Culture in Jelgava (city in the central part of Latvia) Veche is inviting persons and organisations to participate in a co-operation circle Cultural Co-operation 2007 with an aim to develop Slavic culture and rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia.

• NGO Russian Community of Liepaja has decided to interrupt its membership in the Russian Community of Latvia and in the United Congress of Russian Communities in Latvia
• Board of Citizenship and Migration Affairs: the number of guest workers arriving to Latvia is growing

Chas reports that the NGO Russian Community of Liepaja (city in the Western part of Latvia) has decided to interrupt its membership in the Russian Community of Latvia (RCL) and in the United Congress of Russian Communities in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym). In an interview with the newspaper, head of the Russian Community of Liepaja Valerijs Kravcovs has stated that such decision was made due to the ineffective work of two organisations. According to Mr. Kravcovs, the OKROL did not fulfil its main aim – consolidation of Russian NGOs, while the working style of RCLs board is inappropriate because all the decisions are made only by its head. Valerijs Kravcovs also has stated that the only organisation which truly promotes consolidation of Russian NGOs is Coordinating Council of NGOs which unites 40 various, mainly ethnic minority organisations. Mr. Kravcovs believed that the Coordinating Council during nine years of its work has proved that its members are united by common values and are able to co-operate with each other.

According to the Board of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the number of guest workers arriving to Latvia is growing. 1,989 guest workers have arrived to Latvia during the first half of 2007 as compared to 2006, when 2,398 foreigners have arrived during 12 months. Most of the guest workers in Latvia are employed in construction – 674 persons, transportation and communications - 226 and manufacturing industry – 225.

According to the Board of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the number of guest workers arriving to Latvia is growing. 1,989 guest workers have arrived to Latvia during the first half of 2007 as compared to 2006, when 2,398 foreigners have arrived during 12 months. Most of the guest workers in Latvia are employed in construction – 674 persons, transportation and communications - 226 and manufacturing industry – 225. Telegraf, Chas, Latvijas Avize

• Painter of social posters Artis Buks on the positions of the state language

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with a painter of social posters Artis Buks. Mr. Buks criticizes weak positions of the state language and national policy concerning it. Artis Buks believes that the state must create conditions that would make the usage of Latvian language more beneficial than the usage of others languages.

• Political Union of Latvias First Party and Latvias Way has appealed to the governing coalition to permit granting double citizenship to children of Latvian citizens who were born abroad

The political union of Latvia’s First Party and Latvia’s Way has appealed to the governing coalition to permit granting double citizenship to children of Latvian citizens who were born abroad. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins supported the proposal with a reservation that a person has to make a choice which country’s citizenship to keep upon reaching full age.

The political union of Latvias First Party and Latvias Way has appealed to the governing coalition to permit granting double citizenship to children of Latvian citizens who were born abroad. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins supported the proposal with a reservation that a person has to make a choice which countrys citizenship to keep upon reaching full age. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

• 13 persons have applied for asylum in Latvia during the first half of 2007
• Telegraf prints an article on situation around the Russian News Service on Latvian National Televisions second channel LTV7

According to the State Border Guard, 13 persons have applied for asylum in Latvia during the first half of 2007. Asylum seekers have arrived to Latvia from Azerbaijan, Russia, Mongolia, Armenia, Belorussia, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Seven persons were refused asylum in the country, while the applications of six persons are under consideration. In total, in the time period from 1998-2007, 10 persons were granted asylum in Latvia and 18 – alternative status. One person got naturalised and became Latvian citizen.

According to the State Border Guard, 13 persons have applied for asylum in Latvia during the first half of 2007. Asylum seekers have arrived to Latvia from Azerbaijan, Russia, Mongolia, Armenia, Belorussia, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Seven persons were refused asylum in the country, while the applications of six persons are under consideration. In total, in the time period from 1998-2007, 10 persons were granted asylum in Latvia and 18 – alternative status. One person got naturalised and became Latvian citizen. NRA

Telegraf prints an article on situation around the Russian News Service on Latvian National Televisions second channel LTV7. In an interview with the newspaper, ex-director of the Russian News Service Vladimirs Novodvorskis who has recently resigned from the post has stated that according to the channels policy, LTV7 will not provide as many programs for ethnic minorities as before. Vladimirs Novodvorskis also has criticized the board of the channel for decreasing number of Russian-language programs and for lack of policy to attract Russian speaking audience. However, the General Director of the Latvian National Television Janis Holsteins has stated that Russian news program on LTV7 is one of the core components of the channel as it is the only Russian news program on public television and it will not be liquidated.