• Newspapers report about the last day of the 3-day visit of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Latvia

Newspapers widely report about the last day of the 3-day visit of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Latvia. In the final press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the High Commissioner underlined that Latvia was moving in the right direction in the field of integration, but highlighted the large number of non-citizens as the biggest problem. Mr Vollebaek expressed support for proposals put forward by the State President Zatlers that non-citizen children be granted citizenship automatically. He urged the authorities to grant non-citizens the right to vote in the municipal elections. The High Commissioner also questioned the high Latvian language proficiency requirements for various professions in the private sector, and criticised the initiative by the nationalists' party All for Latvia!/Fatherland and Freedom advocating for gradual transfer of all schools to the Latvian language instruction only.

Newspapers widely report about the last day of the 3-day visit of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Latvia. In the final press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the High Commissioner underlined that Latvia was moving in the right direction in the field of integration, but highlighted the large number of non-citizens as the biggest problem. Mr Vollebaek expressed support for proposals put forward by the State President Zatlers that non-citizen children be granted citizenship automatically. He urged the authorities to grant non-citizens the right to vote in the municipal elections. The High Commissioner also questioned the high Latvian language proficiency requirements for various professions in the private sector, and criticised the initiative by the nationalists' party All for Latvia!/Fatherland and Freedom advocating for gradual transfer of all schools to the Latvian language instruction only. Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

• Chas reports about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Daugavpils
• Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte: Latvia got stuck between two-community and national state

Chas reports about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia.) During the visit the High Commissioner attended Russian and Polish school and the centre of Polish culture. In an interview with the newspaper, Mr Vollebaek stated that although granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections is a complex political issue it would positively impact situation in Latvian society.

The Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte at a discussion about integration organised by the newspaper

The Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte at a discussion about integration organised by the newspaper Diena, stated there are indicators that Latvia is two-community society because part of the residents is not integrated and lives in parallel informative world. The Minister believes that Latvia got stuck between two-community and national state. Director of the Social and Political studies of the University of Latvia Nils Muiznieks believes that the deepest segregation is among political parties and mass media. Diena

• Newspapers report about the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaeks visit to Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports on a study on quality of state language proficiency of students of ethnic minorities schools

Newspapers report about the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek’s visit to Latvia. At a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Girts Valdis-Kristovskis, the High Commissioner stated that Latvia has achievements in integration policy field. The Minister, in his turn, stated that Latvia will continue to work on the integration.

Newspapers report about the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaeks visit to Latvia. At a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Girts Valdis-Kristovskis, the High Commissioner stated that Latvia has achievements in integration policy field. The Minister, in his turn, stated that Latvia will continue to work on the integration. Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize reports on a study on quality of state language proficiency of students of ethnic minorities schools conducted by the Association of Latvian Language Teachers. According to the study, Latvian language proficiency of ethnic minority students (mostly Russian speakers) graduating primary school is sufficient to continue studies in secondary school and professional education establishments.

• Chas prints an interview with the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte
• Professor Leons Taivans: Latvia should follow Asian model of integration

Chas prints an interview with the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte. The Minister believes that her vision of integration policy in Latvia coincides with view of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom James Cameron and the Canceller of Germany Angela Merkel which is that integration should be based on common values, common culture and common understanding of history. Mrs Elerte believes that language should be the foundation of integration.

Head of the Asia Studies Department of the University of Latvia, Professor Leons Taivans in an interview with

Head of the Asia Studies Department of the University of Latvia, Professor Leons Taivans in an interview with Vesti Segodnya criticizes concept of integration policy proposed by the Minister of culture Sarmite Elerte and believes that Latvia should follow Asian model of integration – establishing multi-national state.

• Latvijas Avize interviews Ilze Brands Kehris about human rights issues and integration of society in Latvia
• Renewal of the Days of Russian culture

Latvijas Avize interviewed the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris. The interview highlights a broad range of human rights issues, including effective independent investigation of cases of police brutality, freedom of assembly and the importance of selecting a suitable independent candidate for the post of the Ombudsman and the need to strengthen its capacity in monitoring human rights. She addresses the issues of identity underlining that a modern perspective of integration implies non-discrimination, sense of belonging to the country and common work of different groups.

Vesti Segodnya writes about the renewal of the Days of Russian culture, which were traditionally held in independent Latvia during 1925-1940. The festival is planned for May-June 2011 and the initiative group is currently communicating with potential participants as well as the state and municipal bodies and NGOs regarding possible venues and financial support. One of the goals of the festival is to show the commonality of Latvian and Russian cultures.