• President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus: Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents
• Telegraf: State Language Centre objects proposal to soften state language requirements for fire-fighters

The President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus has stated that Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents. Valdas Adamkus has noted that “Russians in Lithuania are provided all conditions to preserve and foster their cultural activities.” Mr. Adamkus believes that Latvia and Estonia should consider Lithuania’s experience.

The President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus has stated that Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents. Valdas Adamkus has noted that Russians in Lithuania are provided all conditions to preserve and foster their cultural activities. Mr. Adamkus believes that Latvia and Estonia should consider Lithuanias experience. Chas

Telegraf reports that a representative of the State Language Centre in an interview with the newspaper has stated that the Centre objects proposal to soften state language requirements for fire-fighters. As reported, in December, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers according to which fire-fighters must speak the state language at the highest level. However, the Ministry of Interiors has proposed to soften state language requirements for those fire-fighters who do not have a direct contact with residents.

• Latvijas avize: Integration Minister promises to promote the Russian language in Latvia
• State Language Centre inspects state language proficiency of school principles and teachers
• Interview with the new Riga Mayor Janis Birks
• New book on the observance of national minority rights in Europe
• Neatkariga comments on a possible consolidation of Latvias Way and Latvias First Party

On Friday, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij presented a programme The Year of the Russian Language developed and funded by Russia to foreign diplomats, Latvian politicians and representatives of the local Russian community. Within the presentation a round table discussions “Russian Mass Media in Latvia: Priorities, Problems and Support” were hold.

On Friday, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij presented a programme The Year of the Russian Language developed and funded by Russia to foreign diplomats, Latvian politicians and representatives of the local Russian community. Within the presentation a round table discussions Russian Mass Media in Latvia: Priorities, Problems and Support were hold. Chas reports on a number of other events foreseen in the programme. While Latvijas avize reports that in the presentation the Integration Minister Oskars Kastens has stated that the Russian community has to preserve its language and we will provide our support for the programme.

In February and March, the State Language Centre will examine state language proficiency of public school principles and teachers at 20 schools across Latvia. Inspectors will examine whether staff’s state language proficiency levels indicated in their state language proficiency certificates correspond to their actual state language skills. The Head of the General Education Quality Assessment State Agency under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule has voiced dissatisfaction with the activities of the State Language Centre. The Agency believes that inspections at schools should be co-ordinated with the respective units of the Education Ministry. Mrs.Papule also notes that the State Language Centre has been “too harsh towards minority schools.” 

In February and March, the State Language Centre will examine state language proficiency of public school principles and teachers at 20 schools across Latvia. Inspectors will examine whether staffs state language proficiency levels indicated in their state language proficiency certificates correspond to their actual state language skills. The Head of the General Education Quality Assessment State Agency under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule has voiced dissatisfaction with the activities of the State Language Centre. The Agency believes that inspections at schools should be co-ordinated with the respective units of the Education Ministry. Mrs.Papule also notes that the State Language Centre has been too harsh towards minority schools.

Latvijas Avize interviews the new Riga Mayor Janis Birks. When asked about granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, the Mayor states that if a person is not able or does not want to learn the Latvian language, s/he is not loyal to Latvia and therefore should not be given rights to participate in municipal elections.

Chas reports on a publication of a report on the observance of national minority rights in Europe. According to a number of criteria, researchers Christoph Pan and Beate Sibylle Pfeil ranked Latvia at the 28th place among European countries in observance the rights of national minorities, arguing that Latvia had fulfilled its commitments to the extent of 42%.

Neatkariga features an article on difficulties the two parties – Latvias Way and Latvias First Party – might face in their consolidation process. Though the leader of the Latvias Way Ainars Slesers has stated that the main aim of the consolidation of the two parties is the consolidation of both Latvian and Russian communities, the newspaper lists a number of aspects which might hamper the consolidation of the two parties, including an invitation to the Concord Centre to join the new party and parties attitudes towards sexual minorities.

• Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by FHRUL
• Saeima approves Romans Apsitis for the post of the Ombudsman

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, FHRUL proposed to abolish several requirements to receive the EU permanent resident status for Latvian non-citizens.

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, FHRUL proposed to abolish several requirements to receive the EU permanent resident status for Latvian non-citizens. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the Saeima approved Romans Apsitis, the ex-judge of the Constitutional Court, for the post of the Ombudsman. However, the leader of the Saeima’s faction “The Concord Centre” Janis Urbanovics stated that his party did not support Mr. Apsitis due his views on non-citizens. Janis Urbanovics noted that the new Ombudsman does not have sufficient understanding of the issues concerning non-citizens.

Yesterday, the Saeima approved Romans Apsitis, the ex-judge of the Constitutional Court, for the post of the Ombudsman. However, the leader of the Saeimas faction The Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics stated that his party did not support Mr. Apsitis due his views on non-citizens. Janis Urbanovics noted that the new Ombudsman does not have sufficient understanding of the issues concerning non-citizens. Chas, Telegraf

• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia Zufars Zainulins
• FHRUL accounts for its activities in the Saeima
• Most popular parties in February: Peoples Party, Union of Greens and Farmers and The Concord Centre

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia Zufars Zainulins. In response to the question, Zufars Zainulins stated that a Muslim cannot be a terrorist, because the Koran does not call to violence.

Yesterday, the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in Latvia (FHRUL) has reported on its activities over past 100 days. The main priorities of the party remains the protection of rights of Russian speaking residents, non-citizens, issues concerning citizenship, language and education.

Yesterday, the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in Latvia (FHRUL) has reported on its activities over past 100 days. The main priorities of the party remains the protection of rights of Russian speaking residents, non-citizens, issues concerning citizenship, language and education. Chas

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" in February, the People’s Party is the most popular political party – 13.9 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 12.9% of respondents; the Concord Centre by 11.93%; the New Era by 10%; Latvia’s First Party / Latvia’s Way – 6.9%; and For Fatherland and Freedom – 5.5%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents.

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" in February, the Peoples Party is the most popular political party – 13.9 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 12.9% of respondents; the Concord Centre by 11.93%; the New Era by 10%; Latvias First Party / Latvias Way – 6.9%; and For Fatherland and Freedom – 5.5%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, NRA

• FHRUL has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status
• Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks: Latvia has to be ready to face issues related to migration in the nearest future

The Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, in order to receive status of EU permanent resident an applicant – third-country national and in Latvia also a Latvian non-citizen - has to meet a number of requirements, such as, Latvian language proficiency and be a permanent resident. The draft amendments provide abolishing of several requirements for Latvian non-citizens.

The Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, in order to receive status of EU permanent resident an applicant – third-country national and in Latvia also a Latvian non-citizen - has to meet a number of requirements, such as, Latvian language proficiency and be a permanent resident. The draft amendments provide abolishing of several requirements for Latvian non-citizens. Chas

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia has to be ready to face migration in the nearest future. Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia must develop strategies on maintaining ties with Latvian residents who have left Latvia countries and integration of foreigners who might arrive to Latvia for permanent residency.