• Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities held its first meeting

On Friday, the President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities held its first meeting. The members of the Council shared with the President their opinion about situation of ethnic minority communities they represent and discussed the most urgent tasks of the Council. 

On Friday, the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities held its first meeting. The members of the Council shared with the President their opinion about situation of ethnic minority communities they represent and discussed the most urgent tasks of the Council. Latvijas Avize

• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: vacancies should be granted primarily to applicants with better Latvian language proficiency
• Political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Roberts Zile : all ethnic Latvian parties should unite
• European Return Fund granted Latvia almost LVL 3,000,000 (EUR 4,200,000) in the framework of the programme Solidarity and Management of Migration Flow

The Ministry of Justice elaborated draft amendments to the Labour Law stipulating inclusion of state language proficiency level in the labour agreement. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins considers that in the circumstances of economic crisis vacancies should be granted primarily to applicants with professional skills and better Latvian language proficiency.

The Ministry of Justice elaborated draft amendments to the Labour Law stipulating inclusion of state language proficiency level in the labour agreement. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins considers that in the circumstances of economic crisis vacancies should be granted primarily to applicants with professional skills and better Latvian language proficiency. Chas

In an interview with

In an interview with Latvijas Avize, head of the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Roberts Zile has stated his worry that Russian parties could come to power in Riga. State power should be in the hands of those political parties that are elected by voters loyal to Latvia, and according to Mr.Zile, the Concord Centre is not among such parties. Mr.Zile believes that all ethnic Latvian parties should unite, because divisions will bring gains to the Concord Centre and its allies.

NRA reports that the European Return Fund granted Latvia almost LVL 3,000,000 (EUR 4,200,000) in the framework of the programme Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows. The funds will be used up to 2013 for improvement of information flow about opportunities for non-EU citizens to return to their home countries, exchange of experience among institutions, organisation of seminars and studies about migration of third country nationals and their opportunities for their return.

• Telegraf prints an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane
• Diena prints an article on integration of Russian speaking residents of Latvia
• Number of applications for Latvian citizenship increased due to growing unemployment
• Interest of Latvian employers in attracting guest workers has noticeably decreased

Telegraf prints an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. According to Mrs. Aldermane, many Latvian citizens who move abroad and receive citizenship of other countries are forced to relinquish Latvian citizenship. Mrs. Aldermane believes that every citizen is very important for Latvia and, therefore, the Citizenship Law should stipulate possibilities for double citizenship. Mrs. Aldermane considers that too many amendments were already made to the effective Citizenship Law; therefore, a new Law should be elaborated.

Diena prints an article on integration of Russian speaking residents of Latvia. Experts interviewed by the newspaper believe that because of unsuccessful integration policy, loyalty towards Latvian state among Russian speaking part of society has not increased and these people are increasingly identifying themselves with Russia. According to the article, events of 13 January in Riga (mass anti-governmental demonstration and clashes) showed that, perhaps, for first time in many years, economic and social problems united Latvian and Russian speakers.

According to

According to Diena, number of applications for Latvian citizenship has increased during last weeks. According to the newspaper, growing unemployment in Latvia could be the reason for the increase, as non-citizens are willing to receive the EU passport in order to widen their employment opportunities.

NRA reports that interest of Latvian employers in attracting guest workers has noticeably decreased. In 2008, the State Employment Agency has approved 230 fewer working permits than in 2007. In total, 2913 working permits were approved for foreigners from non-EU countries (mostly from Ukraine and Moldova) in 2008.

• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers approved 16 members of the Advisory Council of Ethnic Minorities
• U.S.A. Ambassador to Latvia Charles Larson does not agree with the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers regarding decision to speak only in Latvian language

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has approved 16 members of the Advisory Council of Ethnic Minorities. All the members are representatives of ethnic minorities. According to the head of the Council Romualdas Razukas (Lithuanian Community in Latvia), the main task of the Council is to improve dialogue between ethnic minorities and ethnic Latvians.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has approved 16 members of the Advisory Council of Ethnic Minorities. All the members are representatives of ethnic minorities. According to the head of the Council Romualdas Razukas (Lithuanian Community in Latvia), the main task of the Council is to improve dialogue between ethnic minorities and ethnic Latvians. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

In an interview with

In an interview with Telegraf, the U.S.A. Ambassador to Latvia Charles Larson states that he does not agree with the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers regarding decision to speak at public events and with journalists only in Latvian language. Mr. Larson considers that proficiency in various languages is advantage of Latvian political leaders and they should use it in order to hold a dialogue between Russian and Latvian speaking residents.

• European Parliament supported a resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU, which also considers a unique position of stateless persons permanently resident in the EU
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers appointed the chairman of the Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities

Vesti Segodnya reports about the European Parliaments Resolution of 14 January 2009 on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union 2004-2008. The Resolution considers that stateless persons permanently resident in Member States are in a unique position in the European Union. The Resolution calls on those Member States which gained or regained sovereignty in the 1990s to treat all persons previously resident in their territory without any discrimination. According to the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka, the report mainly considers non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia.

According to

According to Vesti Segodnya, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has appointed Romualdas Razukas as a chairman of the Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities. Mr. Razukas is a neurosurgeon and one of the founders of NGO Lithuanian Community in Latvia. Mr. Razukas will have to select other members of the Council.