• Latvijas Avize features an interview with a candidate for the post of the President of Latvia Maris Riekstins
• Two National Bolsheviks were expelled from Latvia for trying illegally to enter the country
• EU-Russian summit: President of Russia Vladimir Putin criticized Latvia and Estonia for violations of Russian speakers rights
• Conference Development of Human Resources under Conditions of Labour Migration

Latvijas Avize features an interview with a candidate for the post of the President of Latvia Maris Riekstins (Peoples Party). Mr. Riekstins believed that the naturalisation procedure is quite liberal in Latvia, and neither its further liberalisation nor restrictions should be made. According to Maris Riekstins, the promotion of a dialogue in the society and a strict position against any expressions of extremism are important aspects of social integration. Maris Riekstins also did not support the idea to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections.

Latvijas Avize reports that two Russian National Bolsheviks who had been detained for an attempt illegally to enter Latvia were expelled from the country and fined with LVL 250 (EUR 356). The National Bolsheviks are also forbidden to enter Latvia during the next five years.

At the EU-Russian summit, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin criticized Latvia and Estonia for violations of the Russian speaking residents’ rights. Vladimir Putin said that violation of the Russian speakers’ rights was unacceptable and disrespectful for Europe.

At the EU-Russian summit, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin criticized Latvia and Estonia for violations of the Russian speaking residents rights. Vladimir Putin said that violation of the Russian speakers rights was unacceptable and disrespectful for Europe. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Newspapers report on the conference “Development of Human Resources under Conditions of Labour Migration” organised by the Baltic Assembly in Sigulda on 18 May. According to the Social Affairs Committee of the Baltic Assembly, about 200,000 Latvian residents could emigrate from the country during the coming 10 years.

Newspapers report on the conference Development of Human Resources under Conditions of Labour Migration organised by the Baltic Assembly in Sigulda on 18 May. According to the Social Affairs Committee of the Baltic Assembly, about 200,000 Latvian residents could emigrate from the country during the coming 10 years. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

• Saeima has adopted draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating punishments for instigation of ethnic or racial hatred
• Saeima has ratified the border agreement with Russia
• Candidate for the post of the President of Latvia Karina Petersone: non-citizens should not be prevented from participating in social and state affairs
• Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane on the decrease of naturalization applications
• Ombudsman Romans Apsitis replied to a request of the political party The Concord Centre to explain his statement on integration policy

Yesterday, the Saeima has adopted amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating that instigation of ethnic or racial hatred might be punished with up to three years imprisonment, community works or pecuniary penalty of up to 60 minimal wages. An accident which has severe consequences, involves violence or is made by a group of people or a public official might be punished with up to 10 years imprisonment. The pecuniary penalty of up to 30 minimal wages might be applied in cases if discrimination act is repeatedly committed during a year.

Yesterday, the Saeima has adopted amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating that instigation of ethnic or racial hatred might be punished with up to three years imprisonment, community works or pecuniary penalty of up to 60 minimal wages. An accident which has severe consequences, involves violence or is made by a group of people or a public official might be punished with up to 10 years imprisonment. The pecuniary penalty of up to 30 minimal wages might be applied in cases if discrimination act is repeatedly committed during a year. Diena

Yesterday, the Saeima has ratified the border agreement with Russia. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has supported the Saeima’s decision and stated that the law will be announced without delay. The government of the Russian Federation is planning to ratify the agreement during the summer months.

Yesterday, the Saeima has ratified the border agreement with Russia. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has supported the Saeimas decision and stated that the law will be announced without delay. The government of the Russian Federation is planning to ratify the agreement during the summer months. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the candidate for the post of the President of Latvia from the political party Latvias Way, MP Karina Petersone has stated that Latvian non-citizens should not be prevented from participating in social and state affairs. According to Karina Petersone, any parliamentary discussion on the issue whether non-citizens should be granted voting in municipal elections would be populist. Therefore, according to the MP, a national referendum would be the best way to take a decision on the issue

In an interview with

In an interview with Telegraf, the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane believed that decreasing number of applicants for naturalisation is not a negative trend. According to Eizenija Aldermane, the slow naturalisation rate has caused the decrease of the NB staff and several local branches of the NB will be closed due to the small number of non-citizens.

The Ombudsman Romans Apsitis has replied to the request of the political party “The Concord Centre” to explain his statement made after the Estonian events over the removal of the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn. In the interview with

The Ombudsman Romans Apsitis has replied to the request of the political party The Concord Centre to explain his statement made after the Estonian events over the removal of the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn. In the interview with Diena, Romans Apsitis has stated that Latvia should review its integration policy taking into account lessons learnt from the Estonian experience and to prioritize the interests of ethnic Latvians. In the reply to The Concord Centre, Romans Apsitis has noted that his words were interpreted in a wrong way. According to the Ombudsman, he meant that the process of integration should be more comprehensive and multidimensional in order to prevent peoples negative attitude and aggression towards the state. Telegraf

• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins on naturalisation issues

At yesterday’s meeting of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee of the Saeima, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the Naturalisation Board (NB) has had to dismiss 24 staff members and to postpone examinations several times due to the decreased number of applicants for naturalisation. Therefore, the Minister believed that there is a need to revise the NB’s structure while several its departments and branches must be closed. According to the Minister, the NB could also be responsible for repatriation issues. Gaidis Berzins has also mentioned possible amendments to the Cabinet of Minister’s rules which would stipulate that non-citizens must demonstrate their state language proficiency certificate if they wish to register their children as Latvian citizens.

At yesterdays meeting of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee of the Saeima, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the Naturalisation Board (NB) has had to dismiss 24 staff members and to postpone examinations several times due to the decreased number of applicants for naturalisation. Therefore, the Minister believed that there is a need to revise the NBs structure while several its departments and branches must be closed. According to the Minister, the NB could also be responsible for repatriation issues. Gaidis Berzins has also mentioned possible amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers rules which would stipulate that non-citizens must demonstrate their state language proficiency certificate if they wish to register their children as Latvian citizens. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

• Study on Professional Plans of Secondary School Graduates
• 474 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation yesterday

At the yesterday’s meeting of the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima, the MPs and various experts were presented results of a research “Study on Professional Plans of Secondary School Graduates” conducted by the P

At the yesterdays meeting of the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima, the MPs and various experts were presented results of a research Study on Professional Plans of Secondary School Graduates conducted by the Professional Career Counselling State Agency and the Hansabanka. According to the study, 12 grade students in Latvian language schools more often prefer to study culture and art in the higher education institutions as compared to the Russian language schools students willing primarily to study exact sciences such as mathematics and physics. The MPs believed that this situation could cause ethnic segregation in 10-15 years. According to the MP from the left wing political party For Human Rights in United Latvia Jakovs Pliners, the education reforms shortcomings have influenced the differences in the preferences of the students. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 474 persons. Overall, 2,239 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship in 2007.

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 474 persons. Overall, 2,239 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship in 2007. Vesti Segodnya

• Chas features an interview with a candidate for the post of the President of Latvia Karina Petersone
• 10,000 persons have signed under a petition to the European Parliament on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• Vesti Segodnya interviews the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens

Chas features an interview with a candidate proposed by the political party Latvias Way for the post of the President of Latvia, the ex-Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone. According to Karina Petersone, there are two distinct information spaces and differences between Russian speakers and Latvians ways of thinking largely influenced by the politicized mass media. Meanwhile, Ms. Petersone believed that society is not split and that integration process has been slowly progressing.

10,000 Riga’s residents have signed under a petition initiated by the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections to the European Parliament. The party has organised the collection of signatures also in other cities of Latvia.

10,000 Rigas residents have signed under a petition initiated by the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections to the European Parliament. The party has organised the collection of signatures also in other cities of Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens. Mr. Kastens believed that peoples estrangement from political authority is the main factor hindering integration. Oskars Kastens also has stated that granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections must take place after broad discussions.