• EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior reviews the draft project on granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas
• Government doubles the budget of the State Language Centre
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia and the representatives of Russian NGOs discussed possible support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia

Today, the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior of will review the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime which would stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas. Yesterday, the draft project was discussed at the meeting of the Saeima European Affairs Committee. The director of the European Affairs and International Cooperation Department Tija Rinmane has stated that the visa regime for non-citizens might be cancelled in the beginning of 2007.

Today, the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior of will review the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime which would stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas. Yesterday, the draft project was discussed at the meeting of the Saeima European Affairs Committee. The director of the European Affairs and International Cooperation Department Tija Rinmane has stated that the visa regime for non-citizens might be cancelled in the beginning of 2007. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Neatkariga

The annual funding of the State Language Centre will increase by LVL 100,000 (EUR 157,000) in 2007 and the total funding will amount to LVL 223,000 (EUR 317,300). The Director of the Centre Agris Timuska is satisfied with the government’s decision lobbied by the new Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM). The main share of the budget will be spent on salaries of the existing staff and hiring new state language inspectors. The Director of the State Language Centre states that next year the main focus will be on use of language in public sphere and service area “If a private employer does not require his/her employees to know the state language, we should address the situation.”  Most likely the Centre will propose amendments to effective legal norms.

The annual funding of the State Language Centre will increase by LVL 100,000 (EUR 157,000) in 2007 and the total funding will amount to LVL 223,000 (EUR 317,300). The Director of the Centre Agris Timuska is satisfied with the governments decision lobbied by the new Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM). The main share of the budget will be spent on salaries of the existing staff and hiring new state language inspectors. The Director of the State Language Centre states that next year the main focus will be on use of language in public sphere and service area If a private employer does not require his/her employees to know the state language, we should address the situation. Most likely the Centre will propose amendments to effective legal norms. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny and representatives of various Russian NGOs have held a round table discussion on support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia.

Yesterday, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny and representatives of various Russian NGOs have held a round table discussion on support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia. Chas

• Interview with Janis Smits, Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens supports possibility to have double citizenship
• Head of the State Language Centres Inspection Control Department Antons Kursitis: Russian language endangers Latvian
• FF/LNIM held partys conference on Saturday
• FHRUL has held a discussion on strengthening of the Russian community in Latvia
• Russian Culture Community in Jekabpils Rodnik celebrates its sixth anniversary

NRA prints a comprehensive interview with Janis Smits, Head of the Saeimas Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee. When asked to give the definition of human rights, he states, there are various understandings of human rights - Buddhist, Muslim, Christian human rights, however, all are based on one principle Dont do anything what you do not want to be done to you. He is concerned that there are so-called experts who reproaches the government and the Saeima, however, they lack any education and competence in human rights. .. we dont have independent human right organisations that deal with the rights of the disabled people, religious discrimination and other essential issues. When asked about reproaches of Russia about the situation of minorities in Latvia, Janis Smits says that if a person does not want to acquire citizenship, he has the right to do so, because we cannot force to love this country… in fact, we should go to Europe and give lectures on how to ensure peaceful co-living of various ethnic groups and nationalities.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens considers that opportunity to hold double citizenship for Latvian residents would be one of the aspects, which could promote strengthening of relations of emigrated Latvians with Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has held a discussion with representatives of Russian NGOs on strengthening of the Russian community in Latvia and role of Russia in this process. Vesti Segodnya

The right-wing party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) held its party conference on Saturday. Partys future was among the main discussion topics. One of party leaders Roberts Zile proposed to unify small nationalistic parties, for instance All for Latvia!, under FF/LNIM and position the party as modern nationalistic party oriented towards having the power. Diena, NRA, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Head of the State Language Centres Inspection Control Department Antons Kursitis. Antons Kursitis believes that the Russian language still endangers positions and authority of Latvian language, therefore, Latvian legal norms should provide more protection for the Latvian language. Antons Kursitis also believes that the government has to adopt amendments to the Administrative Code, which would provide sanctions for employers who ask their all employees to speak Russian.

On 2 December, the Russian Culture Community in Jekabpils (town in the eastern part of Latvia) Rodnik has celebrated its sixth anniversary. Chas

• Diena: Latvia might have difficulties to spend EU structural funds due to shortage of labour force
• 7% of Latvian residents want to leave Latvia
• Integration Secretariat will promote return of Latvian residents who have immigrated to other countries back to Latvia

According to

According to Diena, Latvia might have difficulties to spend the allotted amount of the EU structural funds due to increasing labour force shortage in the country. A number of large local companies argue that national measures should be taken to solve the issue. The Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs has to develop a new migration policy till the end of December. The new policy should be based on the actual situation in the labour market, possibilities to deal with labour shortage through introduction of new technologies.

According to a study by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions about 7% of Latvian residents want to leave Latvia permanently.

According to a study by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions about 7% of Latvian residents want to leave Latvia permanently. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in its Latvian acronym) in cooperation with several NGOs is planning to promote return of Latvian residents who have immigrated to other countries. The IUMSILS will form a working group on research of reasons of economic migration from Latvia.

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in its Latvian acronym) in cooperation with several NGOs is planning to promote return of Latvian residents who have immigrated to other countries. The IUMSILS will form a working group on research of reasons of economic migration from Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament has supported proposal to grant Latvian and Estonian non-citizens rights to travel within the EU without visas
• Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis has criticized Latvia and Estonia for the situation with non-citizens
• Conference Russian Language in Latvia: Present Situation, Actual Issues and Development Paths takes place in Riga

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament (EP) has supported the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime proposed by the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. According to the draft amendments Latvian and Estonian non-citizens will be able to travel within the EU without visas. Tatjana Zdanoka has stated that the draft amendments might come into force as of January 2007.

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament (EP) has supported the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime proposed by the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. According to the draft amendments Latvian and Estonian non-citizens will be able to travel within the EU without visas. Tatjana Zdanoka has stated that the draft amendments might come into force as of January 2007. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis has criticized Latvia and Estonia for the situation concerning non-citizens. In an interview to Russian journalists Terry Davis has stated that Russian speaking residents who have arrived to the Baltic States during the Soviet period should not be called and treated as occupants.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis has criticized Latvia and Estonia for the situation concerning non-citizens. In an interview to Russian journalists Terry Davis has stated that Russian speaking residents who have arrived to the Baltic States during the Soviet period should not be called and treated as occupants. Telegraf, Chas

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Latvian Association of Russian Language and Literature Teachers (LARLLT) has held a conference Russian Language in Latvia: Present Situation, Actual Issues and Development Paths.

• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the Head of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the new Head of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM). Peteris Tabuns has stated that the Committee will continue closely monitoring of naturalisation and implementation of the Citizenship Law. Peteris Tabuns also stated he has not planned to introduce big changes into naturalisation process.