• The social treaty with Russia is yet to be enforced

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov assured the Concord Centre that diplomats are doing everything necessary for the social treaty between Latvia and Russia to enter into force as soon as possible. The treaty envisages that the time of work in Russia will be included into the length of service of non-citizens. Currently, only citizens have their time of work in Russia included into their length of service. Leader of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs is confident that this treaty will be enforced soon. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov assured the Concord Centre that diplomats are doing everything necessary for the social treaty between Latvia and Russia to enter into force as soon as possible. The treaty envisages that the time of work in Russia will be included into the length of service of non-citizens. Currently, only citizens have their time of work in Russia included into their length of service. Leader of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs is confident that this treaty will be enforced soon. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya

• Concord Centre demand changes in the Administrative violations code
• Newspapers report on pending closures and reorganizations of schools

The Constitutional Court of Latvia will review an application submitted by the group of Concord Centre MPs who demand abolition of recent amendments to the Administrative violations code, which increased the fines for usage of foreign languages (including Russian) at the workspace.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia will review an application submitted by the group of Concord Centre MPs who demand abolition of recent amendments to the Administrative violations code, which increased the fines for usage of foreign languages (including Russian) at the workspace. Chas

Newspapers report that 7 schools may be closed and 22 reorganized. In Riga, three Russian language schools will be closed due to insufficient number of students, while Latvian language schools with similar number of students will be preserved. The final decision will have to be made by members of the Riga City Council.

Newspapers report that 7 schools may be closed and 22 reorganized. In Riga, three Russian language schools will be closed due to insufficient number of students, while Latvian language schools with similar number of students will be preserved. The final decision will have to be made by members of the Riga City Council. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Newspapers report about establishment of a new political party New Latvia which is composed of 60% ethnic Latvians and 40% of representatives of other ethnicities

Newspapers report about establishment of a new political party “New Latvia” which is composed of 60% ethnic Latvians and 40% of representatives of other ethnicities. At party’s founding congress, its members stated that problem of mass scale non-citizenship in Latvia should be solved. The party also considers that non-citizens should have the right to take part in managing municipalities.

Newspapers report about establishment of a new political party New Latvia which is composed of 60% ethnic Latvians and 40% of representatives of other ethnicities. At partys founding congress, its members stated that problem of mass scale non-citizenship in Latvia should be solved. The party also considers that non-citizens should have the right to take part in managing municipalities. Vesti Segodnya, Diena

• Vesti Segodnya reports that about half of Russian speaking bus drivers of municipal enterprise Rigas Satiksme might be fired due to new Latvian language proficiency requirements
• Consultative council of the Ministry of Interior is elaborating new rules stipulating lowering state language proficiency requirement for security guards

Vesti Segodnya reports that about half of Russian speaking bus drivers of municipal enterprise Rigas Satiksme might be fired due to new Latvian language proficiency requirements. According to a bus driver interviewed by the newspaper, while majority of Russian speaking bus drivers have the 1st category of the state language proficiency certificates (required by previous regulations), the new rules require the 2nd category. The enterprise did not provide language training, while employees willing to pass new language exams are not able to do it because the examination commissions are hardly available due to budget cuts. Without the 2nd category bus drivers are faced with fines and dismissals. According to the bus driver, a number of experienced bus drivers already were forced to vacate their jobs due to this obstacle.

Vesti Segodnya reports that a consultative council of the Ministry of Interior (which includes trade union of workers of security guard companies) is elaborating new rules stipulating lowering state language proficiency requirement for security guards. As reported, presently, security guard candidates should have 2nd category of the state language proficiency certificate and the examination on professional skills can be taken only in Latvian language.

• Latvijas Avize reports about results of a study Latvian Language Proficiency and Usage in Higher Education Establishments. Results of Education Reform
• Saeima refused proposal to grant monthly benefits to veterans of the anti-Hitler coalition

Latvijas Avize reports about results of a study Latvian Language Proficiency and Usage in Higher Education Establishments. Results of Education Reform conducted by the State Language Agency. 1st and 2nd year students (graduates of minority schools) from 12 higher education establishments were interviewed in the framework of the study. According to the study, 45% of ethnic minority students consider that they have sufficient Latvian language proficiency to study in Latvian. The rest of the students face difficulties studying fully in Latvian. 24% of students consider that they have a need to improve their Latvian. University professors interviewed by Latvijas Avize stated that Latvian language proficiency of students minority schools graduates has grown during last years, however, the biggest problems for such students is paperwork, such as bachelors and masters papers which must be written in Latvian.

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused proposal of the Concord Centre to grant monthly benefits of LVL 50 (EUR 71) to the anti-Hitler coalition veterans living in Latvia.

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused proposal of the Concord Centre to grant monthly benefits of LVL 50 (EUR 71) to the anti-Hitler coalition veterans living in Latvia. Telegraf