• Saeimas Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments
• The council of the ruling coalition parties considers that conditions for granting residence permits to foreign investors should more severe

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments. The FHRUL based its proposal on the opinion of rectors of the biggest Latvian higher education establishments that opportunity to teach in foreign languages particularly in Russian would attract foreign students to Latvia and improve financial situation of universities.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments. The FHRUL based its proposal on the opinion of rectors of the biggest Latvian higher education establishments that opportunity to teach in foreign languages particularly in Russian would attract foreign students to Latvia and improve financial situation of universities. Vesti Segodnya

The council of the ruling coalition parties sent back to the Saeima’s Committee on National Economy the draft amendments to the Immigration Law which envisaged easing requirements for granting residence permits to foreign investors. The proposed draft amendments stipulated that a foreigner who bought real estate in Latvia for over LVL 100,000 and invested in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia at least LVL 24,000 can be grated permanent residence permit. However, the coalition’s council considers that the conditions for granting residence permits should more severe.

The council of the ruling coalition parties sent back to the Saeimas Committee on National Economy the draft amendments to the Immigration Law which envisaged easing requirements for granting residence permits to foreign investors. The proposed draft amendments stipulated that a foreigner who bought real estate in Latvia for over LVL 100,000 and invested in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia at least LVL 24,000 can be grated permanent residence permit. However, the coalitions council considers that the conditions for granting residence permits should more severe. Vesti Segodnya

• Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris receives the French National Order of the Legion of Honour
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers: word occupant should not be used anymore in Latvia

Today, director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris receives the French National Order of the Legion

Today, director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris receives the French National Order of the Legion of Honour in Chevalier degree. The prestigious French decoration is presented to Mrs. Brands Kehris for her contribution to Latvian and French relations and promotion of dialogue on issues regarding citizenship, minorities, discrimination, multiculturalism and migration. Latvijas Avize

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers responding to questions of

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers responding to questions of Telegraf readers stated that Latvian residents do not need integration but unity and common understanding that recognition of Latvian state, its symbols, laws and language guarantees personal freedom in respect of ethnic affiliation of a person. The President also stated that today in Latvia people should agree that word occupant should not be used anymore because occupation of Latvia ended with departure of last representative of Soviet troops. Telegraf (7.12)

• Study on humanitarian influence of Russia on residents of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

Recently, Centre of the Eastern European Policy Studies (CEEPS) produced a study on Russia’s humanitarian influence on people in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This influence is targeted through different cultural activities, as well as through Russia’s and local Russian speaking mass media. According to CEEPS, the people in those countries are speaking very good Russian and therefore are receptive towards this information. CEEPS warns about the long term plans of a neighbouring country, although Russian culture in general should not be seen negatively.

Recently, Centre of the Eastern European Policy Studies (CEEPS) produced a study on Russias humanitarian influence on people in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This influence is targeted through different cultural activities, as well as through Russias and local Russian speaking mass media. According to CEEPS, the people in those countries are speaking very good Russian and therefore are receptive towards this information. CEEPS warns about the long term plans of a neighbouring country, although Russian culture in general should not be seen negatively. Vesty Segodnya

• Experts do not support hastened transition of all elementary and secondary schools to education in Latvia language only
• Latvian scientist deprived of Latvian citizenship

Experts interviewed by

Experts interviewed by Diena do not support the proposal of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to implement transition of all elementary and secondary state-funded schools to education only in Latvian language starting from 2011. Policy analyst Marija Golubeva criticizes the proposal because there are no reasons for such reform except for political agenda and interests of the party. According to a director of one of the Russian language schools, neither children nor teachers are ready for full transition to state language especially in elementary schools.

Latvian scientist, Habilitate Doctor in physics was deprived of Latvian citizenship by court’s decision because he accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007. Legal representative of the scientist says that probably they will appeal to the Constitutional Court in order to dispute prohibition of double citizenship in Latvia.

Latvian scientist, Habilitate Doctor in physics was deprived of Latvian citizenship by courts decision because he accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007. Legal representative of the scientist says that probably they will appeal to the Constitutional Court in order to dispute prohibition of double citizenship in Latvia. NRA

• Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke considers that proposal about free-of-charge education only in Latvian language could be discussed in future
• Saeimas Committee did not allow writing titles of education establishments of ethnic minorities in Cyrillic
• Saeima supported transfer of the Naturalisation Board (NB) from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Interior
• MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka calls on the European Commission to use legal provisions of the Lisbon Treaty to protect rights of minorities in the EU

After a meeting with the Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM), the Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke stated that its proposal to guarantee free-of-charge elementary and secondary education only in Latvian language could be discussed in future. The FF/LNIM, in its turn, considers that its proposal should be enshrined in the Constitution of Latvia as soon as possible and therefore the party is planning to initiate collection of signatures for referendum on amending the Constitution.

After a meeting with the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM), the Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke stated that its proposal to guarantee free-of-charge elementary and secondary education only in Latvian language could be discussed in future. The FF/LNIM, in its turn, considers that its proposal should be enshrined in the Constitution of Latvia as soon as possible and therefore the party is planning to initiate collection of signatures for referendum on amending the Constitution. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Committee on Education, Science and Culture refused proposal of the MP Igors Pimenovs to allow writing titles of education establishments of ethnic minorities in Cyrillic alphabet.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Committee on Education, Science and Culture refused proposal of the MP Igors Pimenovs to allow writing titles of education establishments of ethnic minorities in Cyrillic alphabet. Vesti Segodnya

The Saeima supported the transfer of the Naturalisation Board (NB) from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Interior. Thus, the NB will be merged with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs on the basis of the latter institution. Head of the NB Eriks Baranovskis criticized the arrangement, because he believes that if the merger is unavoidable, it should be done on the basis of the NB otherwise it will harm functions of the NB.

The Saeima supported the transfer of the Naturalisation Board (NB) from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Interior. Thus, the NB will be merged with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs on the basis of the latter institution. Head of the NB Eriks Baranovskis criticized the arrangement, because he believes that if the merger is unavoidable, it should be done on the basis of the NB otherwise it will harm functions of the NB. Telegraf

The MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka calls on the European Commission to use legal provisions of the Lisbon Treaty to protect rights of minorities in the EU. Mrs. Zdanoka believes that the European Commission should clearly define that everyone who acts against the rights of minorities, including language rights, is violating fundamental rights of the EU.

The MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka calls on the European Commission to use legal provisions of the Lisbon Treaty to protect rights of minorities in the EU. Mrs. Zdanoka believes that the European Commission should clearly define that everyone who acts against the rights of minorities, including language rights, is violating fundamental rights of the EU. NRA