• MEP Krisjanis Karins: state funded education should be only in Latvian language
• Ministry of Culture will summarize and analyse activities aimed at consolidation of the society during the past year

The MEP form Latvia Krisjanis Karins believes the state funded education in Latvia should be only in Latvian language. According to Mr Karins: “we (ethnic Latvians) have out nation, our independent state and we should defend education system in Latvian language. If someone wants to study in other language can do it for money.” Mr Karins also believes that Russian speaking residents can learn Russian language at home but in schools they should study in Latvian. Vesti Segodnya

According to the Prime Minister’s Valdis Dombrovskis’ report on national security to the Saeima, the referendum on the status of Russian language conducted in February 2012, has split the society and negatively impacted sense of belonging to the state. After the referendum and following the adoption of the national integration plan, the government granted funding for implementation of various activities aimed at consolidation of the society. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities, the Ministry of Culture is planning to summarize and analyse all the activities conducted by various institutions during the past year. Latvijas Avize

• 40,000 Russian citizens reside in Latvia
• SKDS: popularity of “Lindermans’ Party - For Native Language” grows

According to the data of the Russia’s Embassy, about 40,000 Russian citizens reside in Latvia. 31,000 of those are pensioners. The biggest demand for Russian citizenship among Latvian residents was in 2010 – about 5,000 persons applied for citizenship. Most likely it was connected to the economic crisis in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

According to a public opinion research agency SKDS, popularity of “Lindermans’ Party - For Native Language” grows. In January, 4% of respondents could vote for the party in municipal election in June. 3% of respondents support the party among Riga residents and 11% residents of Latgale region (eastern part of Latvia). As reported, the main party’s ideology is aimed at granting Russian language status of official language in Latvia and status of autonomy to the Latgale region. Vesti Segodnya

• 14th anniversary of the Russian House in Riga

Vesti Segodnya reports about 14th anniversary of the Russian House in Riga. The Russian House hosts about 70 various cultural organisations. According to the head of the House, Ukrainian and Belarusian organisations also joined it recently, thus the House became the centre of Slavic social life and culture in the city.

• Interview with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks. Regarding the situation in Latvia, the Commissioner believes that large number of children with a status of non-citizen is still one of the most important problems in the country.  Mr Muiznieks believes it is a responsibility not of the parents but of the state to take care that every child born in the country is its’ citizen because it is in the best interests of a child. Mr Muiznieks also believes the majority of Russian speaking residents in Latvia will never assimilate because there are only a very few such cases, therefore, it is more relevant to evaluate the process of integration. The Commissioner also believes that in the next 20 years Latvia and other Eastern European countries should expect an influx of immigrants and countries will become more diverse.

• EUR 612,000 will be spend for establishment of the National Integration Centre
• 930 foreign students study at Riga Stradins University

LVL 430,000 (EUR 612,000) are granted for the establishment of the National Integration Centre in the framework of a project funded under the European Integration Fund of Third Country Nationals. It is planned the Centre will work during five months and will integrate about 300 third country nationals living in Latvia. Large part of the funding is to be allocated on institutional needs and salaries of 17 employees. The funding was allocated trough the Ministry of Culture as a part of a national integration program which was approved and elaborated by the ex-Minister Sarmite Elerte. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that 930 foreign citizens are studying at the Riga Stradins University, representing 13% of all students at the university. The university attracts students from European countries – Germany, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, UK, Ireland and other countries such as USA, Canada, Israel, Sri-Lanka, Georgia, Russia etc.  Most often foreign students study on medical programs in English language.