• Member of the Peoples Party Aigars Kalvitis is nominated to the post of the Prime Minister of Latvia
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga: I hope the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will be ratified in a year
• BISS presents the study ‘Social Integration and Business Activities: Ethnic Aspects
• Newspapers report on the EU-Russia summit which takes place in Hague
• Interview with the Russian language teacher and member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Vladislavs Rafalskovs about the minority education reform
• Two Russian tourists, detained under suspect of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS, are expelled from Latvia

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has nominated Aigars Kalvitis (the People’s Party) to the post of the Prime Minister of Latvia.

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has nominated Aigars Kalvitis (the Peoples Party) to the post of the Prime Minister of Latvia. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified by Latvia in a year. When asked whether ratification of the Convention will be included in the government’s declaration, the President said that the issue has not been discussed yet and that the decision will be taken by the new government.

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified by Latvia in a year. When asked whether ratification of the Convention will be included in the governments declaration, the President said that the issue has not been discussed yet and that the decision will be taken by the new government. Vesti Segodnya writes that the Presidents statements concerning the Convention are results EU pressure. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

‘Positive tendencies regarding social integration in national economy have been observed: the number of ethnically mixed companies is increasing, while the number of ‘pure’ Russian and Latvian companies is dropping,’ indicates the study ‘Social Integration and Business: Ethnic Aspects,’ conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences and the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. According to the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa, the concept segregated ‘Latvian’ and ‘Russian’ businesses was true in the 90-ties, however now economic interests are placed higher than ethnic factors and more attention is paid to professionalism of employees and not their ethnicity. The study says that big companies are mainly multinational, while small companies prefer mono-national staff. 49% Latvian, 20% Russian and 47% mixed companies prefer to use the Latvian language in business activities, however, in celebrations and festivities the Latvian language is used in 95% Latvian, 6% Russian and 25% mixed companies. When communicating with Latvians, usually Russian employees speak Latvian with clients of Latvian origin. The survey also indicates that non-Latvians see the state administration as too exclusive and mono-national.

‘Positive tendencies regarding social integration in national economy have been observed: the number of ethnically mixed companies is increasing, while the number of ‘pure Russian and Latvian companies is dropping, indicates the study ‘Social Integration and Business: Ethnic Aspects, conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences and the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. According to the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa, the concept segregated ‘Latvian and ‘Russian businesses was true in the 90-ties, however now economic interests are placed higher than ethnic factors and more attention is paid to professionalism of employees and not their ethnicity. The study says that big companies are mainly multinational, while small companies prefer mono-national staff. 49% Latvian, 20% Russian and 47% mixed companies prefer to use the Latvian language in business activities, however, in celebrations and festivities the Latvian language is used in 95% Latvian, 6% Russian and 25% mixed companies. When communicating with Latvians, usually Russian employees speak Latvian with clients of Latvian origin. The survey also indicates that non-Latvians see the state administration as too exclusive and mono-national. Latvijas Vetnesis, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report on the EU-Russia summit, which takes place in Hague today. The Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes hat the recent statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the necessity to speed up ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is related to the planned discussion on minority situation in Latvia at the summit. The journalist of

Newspapers report on the EU-Russia summit, which takes place in Hague today. The Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes hat the recent statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the necessity to speed up ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is related to the planned discussion on minority situation in Latvia at the summit. The journalist of Chas Anatolijs Kamenevs believes that discussions on minority situation in Latvia will not be favourable for Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the Russian language teacher of the Riga Secondary School Nr. 40 and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Vladislavs Rafalskovs about possible consequences of the education reform. The teacher believes that the implementation of the education reform will dramatically worsen Russian language proficiency of Russian students and has a negative influence on the attitude of minority students towards studies in general. According to Vladislavs Rafalskovs, the Headquarters is planning to continue protest actions against the education reform.

Two Russian tourists, detained under suspect of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism!’ with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia, have been expelled from Latvia.

Two Russian tourists, detained under suspect of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia, have been expelled from Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

• President of Latvia believes that there are no obstacles to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Five minority schools have violated the Law on Education
• EU will propose Russia to launch consultations on minority issues in the Baltic States
• Communication with Latvian Parliament Coordinator at the Russia State Council Pavel Pozhigailo talks about Latvian Russian relations
• Article about the recommendations of the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles concerning minority situation in Latvia
• Diena comments on 8 MPs who posed together with members of a national radical organisation
• Article on a good practice in the field of social integration
• Seventh choir festival of the minority schools will take place in Riga on 26 and 27 November

‘There are no obstacles to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities,’ stated the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The President believes that ratification of the Convention will not bring any consequences or changes in minority situation. However, the President also noted that the Convention should be ratified with reservations.

‘There are no obstacles to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, stated the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The President believes that ratification of the Convention will not bring any consequences or changes in minority situation. However, the President also noted that the Convention should be ratified with reservations. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Five out of 58 minority schools, inspected by the Education State Inspection, have violated the Law on Education. These five schools have taught subjects in Russian or bilingually, although in accordance with the approved curriculum they should be taught in Latvian. According to the Deputy Chairman of the Inspection Valda Puise, who was invited to the meeting of the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration, only two minority schoolteachers have insufficient Latvian language proficiency. ‘We don’t see any problems concerning the implementation of the education reform,’ stated the official, however, she admitted that there is a serous lack of textbooks at minority schools.  Meanwhile the MP from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Vladimirs Buzajevs presents contradicting information about the situation at minority schools. He refers to the information, collected by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools. According to Vladimirs Buzajevs, 57% parents state that academic success of their children has got worse. Representatives of the Headquarters have surveyed parents from 30 minority schools.

Five out of 58 minority schools, inspected by the Education State Inspection, have violated the Law on Education. These five schools have taught subjects in Russian or bilingually, although in accordance with the approved curriculum they should be taught in Latvian. According to the Deputy Chairman of the Inspection Valda Puise, who was invited to the meeting of the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration, only two minority schoolteachers have insufficient Latvian language proficiency. ‘We dont see any problems concerning the implementation of the education reform, stated the official, however, she admitted that there is a serous lack of textbooks at minority schools. Meanwhile the MP from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Vladimirs Buzajevs presents contradicting information about the situation at minority schools. He refers to the information, collected by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools. According to Vladimirs Buzajevs, 57% parents state that academic success of their children has got worse. Representatives of the Headquarters have surveyed parents from 30 minority schools. Vesti Segodnya

With the agreement of Latvia, the EU plans to offer Russia to launch consultations on minority issues in Latvia and Estonia on a regular basis. According to the representative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Dagnija Stukena, regular consultations will show that Russia’s reproaches are of political nature and will provide a possibility to discuss the observation of minority rights in Russia as well.

With the agreement of Latvia, the EU plans to offer Russia to launch consultations on minority issues in Latvia and Estonia on a regular basis. According to the representative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Dagnija Stukena, regular consultations will show that Russias reproaches are of political nature and will provide a possibility to discuss the observation of minority rights in Russia as well. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Communication with the Latvian Parliament Coordinator of the Russia State Council Pavel Pozhigailo about relations between Latvia and Russia. Pavel Pozhigailo believes that ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities would be the first step towards the improvement relations between Latvia and Russia.

Chas prints an article by the columnist Anatolijs Kamenevs about the recommendations of the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles concerning minority situation in Latvia. The Commissioner called Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The columnist believes that Latvia is afraid to ratify the Convention because among other provisions it stipulates that a state shall ensure the ‘effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them.

Diena comments on eight right-wing MPs who posed for the next year calendar together with four members of the national radical organisation Latvian National Front (headed by Aivars Garda). The MPs were from the union of the Farmers and Greens, the Peoples Party, the New Era, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and the Latvian First Party. MPs explained that they do not share exactly the same views of the National Party concerning decolonisation of Latvia, such as deportation of non-citizens, however they support the idea of Latvias decolonisation. The researcher of the Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS Maija Golubeva and the head of the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia Arturs Kucs note that in no way MP should show their support for national radical organisations.

Latvijas Avize writes about a project in the field of social integration at the Jaunogre Secondary School. Students of this minority school in the framework of the project ‘Life stories of politically repressed persons collect life stories of politically repressed persons.

The seventh festival of minority schools ensembles and choirs will take place in Riga on 26 and 27 November. The festival is supported by the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration.

The seventh festival of minority schools ensembles and choirs will take place in Riga on 26 and 27 November. The festival is supported by the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration. Vesti Segodnya

• Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles talks about minority problems in Latvia
• Article about positions of political parties towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Peoples Harmony Party develops amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Chizhov comments on ratification of the boarder agreement with the Baltic States
• MPs comment on the decision of Cabinet of Ministers to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Value of the Russian language in the job market in Latvia
• Article about activities of minority Sunday Schools in Latvia

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the Council’s of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles about the minority problems in Latvia. According to Alvaro Gill-Robles, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. The Commissioner believes that all residents of Latvia should be Latvian citizens and that there is a time for Latvia to eliminate the institution of non-citizenship. When talking about positive achievements in the area of social integration Alvaro Gill-Robles mentions the improved dialogue between the last government and minorities, flexibility in the implementation of the education reform and the statement of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified in the near future. The Latvian language newspaper

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles about the minority problems in Latvia. According to Alvaro Gill-Robles, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. The Commissioner believes that all residents of Latvia should be Latvian citizens and that there is a time for Latvia to eliminate the institution of non-citizenship. When talking about positive achievements in the area of social integration Alvaro Gill-Robles mentions the improved dialogue between the last government and minorities, flexibility in the implementation of the education reform and the statement of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified in the near future. The Latvian language newspaper Latvijas Avize reports that in general the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles has evaluated the situation of minorities as good. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The majority of the right-wing political parties, represented in Saeima, have revaluated their attitude towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities after the call of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she asked parties to express clearly their stances towards ratification of the Convention. Although previously almost all were negative about ratification of the Convention, the call of the President has changed their stances and now parties express readiness to ratify the Convention. Representatives of the New Era and the People’s Party – Ina Druviete and Artis Pabriks – state that the Convention should be ratified with two reservations: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names and in the communication with municipalities. While the representative of the First Party Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Convention should be ratified with one reservation: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names, places, etc. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is the only potential coalition party, strictly refusing ratification of the Convention.

The majority of the right-wing political parties, represented in Saeima, have revaluated their attitude towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities after the call of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she asked parties to express clearly their stances towards ratification of the Convention. Although previously almost all were negative about ratification of the Convention, the call of the President has changed their stances and now parties express readiness to ratify the Convention. Representatives of the New Era and the Peoples Party – Ina Druviete and Artis Pabriks – state that the Convention should be ratified with two reservations: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names and in the communication with municipalities. While the representative of the First Party Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Convention should be ratified with one reservation: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names, places, etc. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is the only potential coalition party, strictly refusing ratification of the Convention. Diena

The People’s Harmony Party has developed amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments are aimed at promoting naturalisation process. According to the party the following means would promote naturalisation: the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams.

The Peoples Harmony Party has developed amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments are aimed at promoting naturalisation process. According to the party the following means would promote naturalisation: the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegrafs

‘Russia does not see the reason to reconsider its stance towards ratification of the boarder agreement with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania until there is no understanding on the issues concerning the situation of national minorities in these states,’ stated the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov during his press conference in Moscow. According to Vladimir Chizhov, Russia only asks the implementation of the OSCE recommendations in the area of minority rights. The Russian official believes that granting non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections is the most topical issue to be solved. The official stated that Russia plans to draw the attention of the European Union to minority situation in the Baltic States during the planned EU-Russia summit in Hague on 25 November. 

‘Russia does not see the reason to reconsider its stance towards ratification of the boarder agreement with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania until there is no understanding on the issues concerning the situation of national minorities in these states, stated the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov during his press conference in Moscow. According to Vladimir Chizhov, Russia only asks the implementation of the OSCE recommendations in the area of minority rights. The Russian official believes that granting non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections is the most topical issue to be solved. The official stated that Russia plans to draw the attention of the European Union to minority situation in the Baltic States during the planned EU-Russia summit in Hague on 25 November. Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with Vladimir Chizhov. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints the statements of several MPs on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The representatives of right-wing parties Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the Head of the Saeima Committee on Citizenship Law Implementation Antra Rugate (Peoples Party) believe that the government had the right to adopt such decision because Jurijs Petropavlovskis does not meet specific criteria set for citizenship applicants, namely, loyalty toward the state. While the leader of the Parliamentary Group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners says that the decision of the government is based on the activities of the Jurijs Petropavlovskis concerning the education reform and his plans to run for the seat in Riga municipality.

Diena prints an article about the increasing tendency to hire people whose native language is Russian in ‘Latvian companies. The newspaper states that roots of these people and knowledge about their community is an additional value which brings profit to a company through attraction of new customers and achieving better business results. ‘The demand for people who are able to orient in both communities is increasing, says the head of the Marketing Department of Hansabanka Oksana Sivokobilska. She adds that in three years Hansabanka has achieved a balanced poll of Russian and Latvian customers, however, it was a very difficult and accurate job, as the working environment is very sensitive and fragile.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about activities of Armenian, Azerbaijan, Uzbek, Georgian, and Greek Sunday Schools in Latvia. The majority of them are not funded from the state budget.

• Political party New Policy changes its name for New Centre and promises to reduce ethnic tension in society
• Interview with the former Vice Prime Minister Ainars Slesers
• Social-anthropologist and associated professor of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Roberts Kilis talks about the study on differences between Russian and Latvian businesses in Latvia
• Two Russian tourists detained under suspect of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia

The political party New Policy, led by the Riga Vice-mayor Sergejs Dolgopolovs, has changed its name for New Centre. The key goal of the party is the reduction of ethnic tension in society.

The political party New Policy, led by the Riga Vice-mayor Sergejs Dolgopolovs, has changed its name for New Centre. The key goal of the party is the reduction of ethnic tension in society. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Chas prints an interview with the former Vice Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvias First Party) about the formation of the new government. Ainars Slesers believes that there will be no changes in the attitude of the to be government towards ethnic minorities. The politician believes that naturalisation is the only possible and constructive solution to problems of ethnic minorities.

Chas prints an interview with the social-anthropologist and associated professor of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Roberts Kilis about the study on the differences between Russian and Latvian businesses in Latvia. According to Roberts Kilis, there are more common between Russian and Latvian businesses than it is believed. For example, 2/3 Latvian and also 2/3 Russian businessmen have entered and/or graduated university. On average Russian businessmen are 1 – 2 years older than Latvian businessmen. Women are more frequently presented in Latvian businesses. Usually Russian businessmen, when speaking about their monthly income, say a smaller amount than they are actually making.

Two Russian tourists were detained by the State Border Guard when they tried to leave Latvia by train. The tourists are suspected of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism!’ with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia on 18 November.

Two Russian tourists were detained by the State Border Guard when they tried to leave Latvia by train. The tourists are suspected of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia on 18 November. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

• Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008
• Conclusions of the inspection conducted at minority schools
• President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention
• Interview with For Fatherland and Freedoms/LNIM MP Juris Dobelis
• Russian language press comments on the Governments decision to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Latest data on migration
• Group of member of the European Parliament discusses the situation concerning the education reform in Latvia
• Interview with the General Secretary of the National UNESCO Commission Dace Neiburga on national values
• Historian of Uppsala University on the important factors necessary to form a civil society in Latvia
• Posters calling Latvia to stop fascism posted on the Independence Day of Latvia
• Nils Muiznieks talks about issues concerning integration of Russians and Roma at the meeting of EU integration ministers

The Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008. In 2008 EU programme Phare, in the framework of which Latvia receives money for social integration projects, will be closed. According to the Director the biggest impact will be on ability to ensure Latvian language courses – already next year three times less people will have an opportunity to study the Latvian language.

The Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008. In 2008 EU programme Phare, in the framework of which Latvia receives money for social integration projects, will be closed. According to the Director the biggest impact will be on ability to ensure Latvian language courses – already next year three times less people will have an opportunity to study the Latvian language. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports on the conclusions of the inspection conducted by officials of the Ministry of Science and Education: only four out of 750 teachers who teach 10th grade students in Latvian may not have sufficient Latvian language skills. Although all teachers have state language certificates with the required level (the highest – third) of state language proficiency, officials of the MoES will ask state language inspectors to examine language skills of these teachers. According to the Ministrys officials, all inspected minority schools correspond to provisions of Latvian legislation. While the MP from pro-minority party FHRUL Jakov Pliner seriously questions the conclusions of the Ministry and states that according to his information lessons at minority schools take place either in Russian or bilingually.

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews For Fatherland and Freedoms/LNIM MP Juris Dobelis. The key subject of the interview is the statement of FF/LNIM that the party will not agree to join a coalition in a government, which wants to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Juris Dobelis argues that without a definition of the term ‘minority there should not be any discussions about ratification of the Convention. Juris Dobelis offers his understanding of minority: ‘these are Livs and maybe Roma… Minorities are only those who do not have their own state. He is convinced that the Convention in fact does not grant any rights to minorities and if people want to have rights they have to naturalise.

Chas comments on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, which provided that the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis should be excluded from the list of people who receive Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The newspaper states that the decision reveals the real face of the government and argues that there is less and less democracy in the country. While Vesti Segodnya reports that the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia has issued a statement where they express their determination to challenge the governments decision at court.

During nine months of 2004 in total 939 people, including 162 Latvian citizens and 130 Latvian non-citizens, have left Latvia, the dominant majority of them are Russia’s citizens who moved to Russia. In total 545 people moved to Russia, while Germany is the second most popular country of destination.

During nine months of 2004 in total 939 people, including 162 Latvian citizens and 130 Latvian non-citizens, have left Latvia, the dominant majority of them are Russias citizens who moved to Russia. In total 545 people moved to Russia, while Germany is the second most popular country of destination. Chas

Vesti Segodnya comments on speeches of the members of the EU Parliament presented at the session of the EU Parliamentary Group dealing with traditional minorities. The newspaper states that Latvia received heavy criticism regarding the education reform, while the members of EU Parliament from Latvia Guntars Krasts and Inese Vaidere assured that the education reform has been implemented successfully and tensions in the country are the results of the occupation. According to the newspaper MPs from other countries noted that they are ‘disappointed in the attitude of Latvian MPs who are inflexible and not orientated to a dialogue.

Diena prints an interview with the General Secretary of the National UNESCO Commission Dace Neiburga. The interview attempts to find answers to the question ‘what are Latvian values? Dace Neiburga states that Latvia is not doing very well with societal integration in the ‘western understanding of the term. She explains that ‘there is a stereotype that this is a fault of Russians, who do not learn the Latvian language, however, we lack national self-esteem, we feel threatened… (we) should learn to look at people of other ethnicities without fears. Dace Neiburga argues that there is lack of patriotism in Latvia, there is no model how to work with patriotism with people coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds and there are no clear concepts which ‘would let us call ourselves Latvians, a united nation. It is not clear what unites the society. She agrees that we have not used that, for instance Russians who live in Latvia could call themselves Latvians ‘if a Russian presents himself as a Latvian, pout. Dace Neiburga is convinced that nothing can be done in an artificial way ‘while Latvians feel threatened and do not let others to call themselves Latvians, they will not do that. No Russian will present himself as a Latvian, if he faces intolerance and hidden xenophobia. She concludes that there is a need for new forms of communication and education system which would establish communication between the two communities.

Diena prints the speech by the historian of the Uppsala University Mathew Kot under the title ‘the End of the Civil Society in Latvia delivered for the Swedish Latvian Academic Organisation on 25 September 2004. The author looks into the development of the civil society in Latvia and offers his thoughts on lessons to be learned. The author believes that if the Latvian society were more consolidated before the World War II, it would have more power to stand against the waves of geo-political pressure. In the opinion of the author, the lack of a consolidated society also contributed to the Holocaust in Latvia. He states that in Latvia people have used to categorise people according to their ethnicity and that hampered integration. In extreme situations, such as war, ‘others became ‘strangers and if ‘strangers are not our people, who cares what happens to them? The author notes that also in modern Latvia there is a tendency to categorise people in accordance with their ethnicity, however, he hopes that the times when somebody calls to ‘expel the other from our society never come. The author believes that the unity cannot be imposed from above and offers his solution: critical thinking and exchange of views with those who do not share the same views.

On 18 November in one of the windows of the hotel Latvia appeared a poster ‘Latvia, stop fascism!’ with symbols of SS. The room was inhabited by tourists from Russia, however, they managed to check out before the arrival of the police.

On 18 November in one of the windows of the hotel Latvia appeared a poster ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS. The room was inhabited by tourists from Russia, however, they managed to check out before the arrival of the police. Vesti Segodnya

In their meeting in the Netherlands the EU Integration Ministers have agreed on the basic concepts which should be observed for promoting integration of national minorities into society, among them – state language skills, knowledge of state’s history.

In their meeting in the Netherlands the EU Integration Ministers have agreed on the basic concepts which should be observed for promoting integration of national minorities into society, among them – state language skills, knowledge of states history. Diena reports that in the meeting the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks drew attention of his colleagues on the issues of integration of Russians and Roma in Latvia.