• Baltic Forum will take place in Riga next week

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Baltic Forum is scheduled to take place in Riga next week. The newspaper notes that while relations between Latvia and Russia are not very good, it is time for the peoples diplomacy between the two countries. The Baltic Forum will involve prominent journalists and cultural experts from both countries.

• 186 candidates will stand in the European Parliament elections in Latvia
  

Latvijas Avize reports that 186 candidates representing 17 lists are standing in the European Parliament elections in Latvia. The newspaper also presents the most topical priorities according to the parties programmes. Political party Everything for Latvia will focus on the evaluation of risks for the European security from Russia by increasing its influence on former Soviet Republics. Everything for Latvia also promises that it will claim Russia to compensate the losses of the Soviet occupation. Political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM will continue to explain Europe the special Baltic historic situation. Political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) is going to improve EU relations with Russia as that will help to overcome the crisis. FHRUL also wants to ensure Latvias non-citizens the right to vote in the European Parliament elections in next five years. Concord centre points out that human rights are fundamental value of the EU and they will foster the elimination of the discrimination based all grounds.

• The EU Parliament recommends granting non-citizens the right to take part in local elections
• Deputies of Jurmala City Council are trying to arrange school bus for Tuckums children
• Education Committee of Riga City Council will re-consider planned closure of two Russian schools
• International conference of Baltic Russian-speaking youth organizations held in Riga

Yesterday, the EU Parliament approved “Report on Problems and prospects concerning European Citizenship”. The Report recommends granting Latvia’s non-citizens the right to take part in local elections.

Yesterday, the EU Parliament approved Report on Problems and prospects concerning European Citizenship. The Report recommends granting Latvias non-citizens the right to take part in local elections. Chas

Deputies of Jurmala City Council are trying to arrange school bus for Tuckums children. As reported, Tukums City Council refused to open the first grade class with Russian language of instruction for 15 children who applied for this class. While the nearest Russian school (in Jurmala) is ready to accept these children, it is situated 30 kilometers away from Tukums. Deputies of Jurmala City Council are calling upon parents of all children of Tukums who were refused education in Russian to write applications to the Jurmala City Council, so that the municipality could arrange school buses for the children.

Deputies of Jurmala City Council are trying to arrange school bus for Tuckums children. As reported, Tukums City Council refused to open the first grade class with Russian language of instruction for 15 children who applied for this class. While the nearest Russian school (in Jurmala) is ready to accept these children, it is situated 30 kilometers away from Tukums. Deputies of Jurmala City Council are calling upon parents of all children of Tukums who were refused education in Russian to write applications to the Jurmala City Council, so that the municipality could arrange school buses for the children. Vesti Segodnya

Education Committee of Riga City Council will re-consider planned closure of two Russian schools. According to the head of the Committee Juris Zakis, deputies representing the Concord Centre asked the Committee to consider the issue again, because two of the schools are small basic education schools complete with children and provide high-quality education.

Education Committee of Riga City Council will re-consider planned closure of two Russian schools. According to the head of the Committee Juris Zakis, deputies representing the Concord Centre asked the Committee to consider the issue again, because two of the schools are small basic education schools complete with children and provide high-quality education. Chas

NGO “We are travel companions!” organizes an international conference “The role of youth Russian-speaking organizations of the Baltic states in preservation and development of Russian culture” on 3-5 April.

NGO We are travel companions! organizes an international conference The role of youth Russian-speaking organizations of the Baltic states in preservation and development of Russian culture on 3-5 April. Chas

• 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