• The letter of Juris Dobelis has provoked EPs criticism about Martjan Bekasovs recall
• Rigas Deputy Mayor Sergey Dolgopolov about integration
• Latvian officials meet with Latvian Diaspora in Russia
• A. Kazakov on improving the dialog between Latvian government and Russian-speaking population
• A positive experience of a kindergartens teacher in promoting ethnic tolerance

Several deputies of the European Parliament consider the Saeima’s decision to recall Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer as anti-democratic and violating human rights. This issue will be possibly discussed at the EP’s session this week in Strasburg. The letter of Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK) has increased the EP’s attention to the case of Bekasov’s recall. Dobelis wrote in the letter that Bekasov has distributed defaming information about Latvia in the EP, which in his opinion was in contradiction with the state interests. He has also pointed out that four MPs from the Latvian Socialist Party have voted against Latvia’s accession to the EU.

Several deputies of the European Parliament consider the Saeimas decision to recall Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer as anti-democratic and violating human rights. This issue will be possibly discussed at the EPs session this week in Strasburg. The letter of Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK) has increased the EPs attention to the case of Bekasovs recall. Dobelis wrote in the letter that Bekasov has distributed defaming information about Latvia in the EP, which in his opinion was in contradiction with the state interests. He has also pointed out that four MPs from the Latvian Socialist Party have voted against Latvias accession to the EU. Diena

Rigas Balss features an interview with the Rigas Mayor Sergey Dolgopolov, who has the highest rating (supported by 37,2% of Latvians and 58,9 of non-Latvians) among the Riga City Councils officials. Speaking about integration in Riga, Sergey Dolgopolov believes that people are sufficiently tolerant in daily life, but there should be also more tolerance showed by the government institutions and municipalities, as integration is a two-way process. According to him, municipalities and the state should make decisions which are supported by the largest part of the society.

Yesterday, in commemoration of the 85-anniversary of Latvia’s independence, a meeting with the representatives of Latvian national societies in Russia was held at the Embassy of Latvia to Russia. The representatives of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) and of the Special Task Minister’s for Societal Integration Secretariat have informed the participants about opportunities of applying  for SIF funding.

Yesterday, in commemoration of the 85-anniversary of Latvias independence, a meeting with the representatives of Latvian national societies in Russia was held at the Embassy of Latvia to Russia. The representatives of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) and of the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat have informed the participants about opportunities of applying for SIF funding. Vesti Segodnya

Alexander Kazakov, assistant to the head of the Russia State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has sent a concept of negotiations between Latvia and Russia to the Russian government. He suggests that Russia should urge the EU to recommend to Latvian officials to make a dialog with the Russian speaking population of the country.

Alexander Kazakov, assistant to the head of the Russia State Dumas Foreign Affairs Committee, has sent a concept of negotiations between Latvia and Russia to the Russian government. He suggests that Russia should urge the EU to recommend to Latvian officials to make a dialog with the Russian speaking population of the country. Vesty Segodnya

Chas prints an article about a positive experience of a kindergarten with the Latvian language and Russian language streams. In her work, the teacher is promoting ethnic tolerance and Latvian language knowledge.

• Josette Durrieu, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, will visit Latvia
• Boris Tsilevitch about the forthcoming activities of the EP Legal Affairs Committee concerning Martjan Bekasovs recall
• Statistics on naturalization
• The head of the party BITE Jakov Pliner on the methods of achieving partys goals
• Lauku Avize criticizes the proposal to amend the Citizenship Law

On 18 November, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu will pay a second visit to Latvia to monitor the fulfilling of recommendations to Latvia previously provided by the Committee. The recommendations included the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, amendments to the State Language Law and Education Law, and the adoption of the Law on Minority Protection. Josette Durrieu will meet with the President, Prime Minister, the Saeima’s Speaker, representatives of minority NGOs, the Naturalization Board and the ambassador of Russia to Latvia.

On 18 November, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu will pay a second visit to Latvia to monitor the fulfilling of recommendations to Latvia previously provided by the Committee. The recommendations included the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, amendments to the State Language Law and Education Law, and the adoption of the Law on Minority Protection. Josette Durrieu will meet with the President, Prime Minister, the Saeimas Speaker, representatives of minority NGOs, the Naturalization Board and the ambassador of Russia to Latvia. Chas

According to the observer to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevitch (People’s Harmony Party), the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will evaluate both legal and political aspects of Martjan Bekasov’s recall. Boris Tsilevitch considers assumptions that the Committee could decide to postpone Latvia’s accession to the EU, published in

According to the observer to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevitch (Peoples Harmony Party), the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will evaluate both legal and political aspects of Martjan Bekasovs recall. Boris Tsilevitch considers assumptions that the Committee could decide to postpone Latvias accession to the EU, published in Vesti Segodnya, as exaggerated. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Yesterday 85 newly naturalized citizens have received the Cabinet’s of Ministers directive on granting the Latvian citizenship. In 2003, 8059 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization, including 878 under aged persons.

Yesterday 85 newly naturalized citizens have received the Cabinets of Ministers directive on granting the Latvian citizenship. In 2003, 8059 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization, including 878 under aged persons. Diena

Chas interviews the head of the party BITE Jakov Pliner, who believes that a non-parliamentary struggle – the acts of non-violent resistance in full compliance with the law – is the only way to achieve partys goals. Jakov Pliner points to the unwillingness of the state to respond to the partys initiatives to start a dialog.

Lauku Avize criticizes the initiatives of the Naturalization Board and the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration to facilitate naturalization through amending the Citizenship Law.

• Representatives of the European Parliament criticize Saeimas decision to recall Martjan Bekasov
• Russian officials are planning to raise the question of minority rights monitoring in Latvia
• Minority issues in Latvia discussed at the session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly
• Proposal of the FHRUL to amend the Law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State has been denied
• Positive experience with the Latvian language classes in a Russian language school

Russian language newspapers publish critical responses of the European Parliament’s (EP) deputies to the letter of Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK), an observer to the EP. The MPs consider the Saeima’s decision to recall Martjan Bekasov from the observer’s post as anti-democratic. According to the observer to the EP Boris Tsilevitch (People’s Harmony Party), the EP will ask the Saeima to review its decision on Bekasov’s recall.

Russian language newspapers publish critical responses of the European Parliaments (EP) deputies to the letter of Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK), an observer to the EP. The MPs consider the Saeimas decision to recall Martjan Bekasov from the observers post as anti-democratic. According to the observer to the EP Boris Tsilevitch (Peoples Harmony Party), the EP will ask the Saeima to review its decision on Bekasovs recall. Chas reports that EP Legal Affairs Committee has asked the EP President to send a letter to the Saemas speaker Ingrida Udre. The Committee considers raising the question about possible postponing of Latvias accession to EU. Chas, Telegraf

According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council Dmitry Rogozin, Russian officials are planning to raise the question of monitoring minority situation in Latvia. Rogozin has promised to discuss this issue at the next session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Commenting the situation with the Russian school in Cesis to the Russian TV, the First Vice Speaker of Russia’s State Council Lyubov Sliska has stated that she is planning to raise the question about Russian schools’ situation with the NATO officials.

According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin, Russian officials are planning to raise the question of monitoring minority situation in Latvia. Rogozin has promised to discuss this issue at the next session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Commenting the situation with the Russian school in Cesis to the Russian TV, the First Vice Speaker of Russias State Council Lyubov Sliska has stated that she is planning to raise the question about Russian schools situation with the NATO officials. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) session with the participation of representatives from the Council of Europe, where ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia has been discussed. Latvian representative to NATO PA Aleksandrs Kirsteins (The Peoples Party) has stated that mass naturalization would raise new integration problems. Kirsteins has also said that non-citizens who are not loyal to Latvia and do not want to learn Latvian language should have left Latvia after it regainined independence. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has named the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins as uncivilized.

The Saeima Human Rights Committee and the Committee for the Citizenship Law’s Implementation have denied the proposal of the FHRUL to amend the law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”. The FHRUL has proposed to cancel the norm stipulating that Latvia should be non-citizens’ permanent place of residence.

The Saeima Human Rights Committee and the Committee for the Citizenship Laws Implementation have denied the proposal of the FHRUL to amend the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. The FHRUL has proposed to cancel the norm stipulating that Latvia should be non-citizens permanent place of residence. Vesti Segodnya

Chas prints an article about a positive experience of a Russian language school in Riga with the Latvian language classes. The experimental classes in the school have been opened eight years ago - long before the education reform. Children study in Latvian, but all extra-curriculum activities are in Russian.

• The President of Latvia on the naturalization process
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden considers Russias accusations to Latvia unjustified
• The Saeima Sub-Committee for Societal Integration will be established
• Martjan Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court
• Teachers and parents of Cesis school students held a press conference in Riga
• The deputy chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovitch about the draft party programme
• Vesti Segodnya on the prospects of amending the Citizenship Law
• Political scientist Janis Ikstens discusses the perspectives of Latvian-Russian relations

In the interview to

In the interview to Lauku Avize, the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has discussed the slow naturalization process and the large number of non-citizens. The President believes that naturalization procedures requirements are justified. The President has also commented the judgment of the European Court for Human Rights in Slivenko case.

During her visit to Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde has expressed her disagreement with Russia’s attempt of tying together the application of the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to Latvia with the situation of Russian-speakers in the country. The Minister considers the recent Russia’s statements unjustified and believes that Russia has no impact on the EU enlargement process and the EU decisions. She hopes that Latvian-Russian relationships will improve after Latvia’s accession to the EU.

During her visit to Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde has expressed her disagreement with Russias attempt of tying together the application of the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to Latvia with the situation of Russian-speakers in the country. The Minister considers the recent Russias statements unjustified and believes that Russia has no impact on the EU enlargement process and the EU decisions. She hopes that Latvian-Russian relationships will improve after Latvias accession to the EU. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, lauku Avize, Telegraf

The Saeima Sub-Committee for Societal Integration will be established in order to examine the possibility of ratifying the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The Saeima Sub-Committee for Societal Integration will be established in order to examine the possibility of ratifying the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Neatkariga Rita Avize

A MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about the recent Saeima’s decision to recall him from the status of an observer to the European Parliament.

A MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about the recent Saeimas decision to recall him from the status of an observer to the European Parliament. Chas

Yesterday a group of students’ parents and teachers of a Cesis Russian language school has held a press conference in Riga. The representatives of the School Rescue Committee have informed the local and foreign media about their demand of opening a first grade in the only Russian language school in Cesis in spite of the insufficient number of students. From 1998 to 2002, 45 schools have been closed, including 3 Latvian language schools, 12 two-stream schools and 20 Russian language schools. Newspapers print the proposal of the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools on establishing a lower ‘sufficient number’ of students necessary to open a class in schools implementing minority education programs. A letter from the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council  Dmitry Rogozin, responding to the situation with Cesis school, says that the true objective of Latvian officials is to eliminate Russian schools.

Yesterday a group of students parents and teachers of a Cesis Russian language school has held a press conference in Riga. The representatives of the School Rescue Committee have informed the local and foreign media about their demand of opening a first grade in the only Russian language school in Cesis in spite of the insufficient number of students. From 1998 to 2002, 45 schools have been closed, including 3 Latvian language schools, 12 two-stream schools and 20 Russian language schools. Newspapers print the proposal of the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools on establishing a lower ‘sufficient number of students necessary to open a class in schools implementing minority education programs. A letter from the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin, responding to the situation with Cesis school, says that the true objective of Latvian officials is to eliminate Russian schools. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas

Chas interviews the deputy chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovitch about the draft party programme to be adopted on the next partys session. The draft programme proposes the opportunities to grant Latvian citizenship to persons born in Latvia and those who have lived in Latvia for more than 10 years; promotion of naturalization and granting to non-citizens the right to vote at municipal elections; the establishment of the Department on National Minority Affairs in the Ministry of Education and Science.

Vesti Segodnya believes that the current government will not support the amendments to the Citizenship Law proposed by the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat and the Naturalization Board. The amendments stipulate opportunities to register Latvian citizenship for persons who have graduated from a basic or secondary school with Latvian language of instruction even if they have not completed the entire education process in Latvian.

Political scientist Janis Ikstenssummarizes his impressions from the seminar “Latvia – Russia: the New Cooperation Perspectives” which has recently took place in Moscow. Janis Ikstens considers Russia’s accusations to Latvia as a part of strategic action, not influenced by the pre-election campaign. He also believes that Russia will try to use Latvia’s EU membership to its own advantage. On the other hand, Latvia cannot expect that EU will always support Latvia’s stance because of the economic relationships between the EU states and Russia.

Political scientist Janis Ikstenssummarizes his impressions from the seminar Latvia – Russia: the New Cooperation Perspectives which has recently took place in Moscow. Janis Ikstens considers Russias accusations to Latvia as a part of strategic action, not influenced by the pre-election campaign. He also believes that Russia will try to use Latvias EU membership to its own advantage. On the other hand, Latvia cannot expect that EU will always support Latvias stance because of the economic relationships between the EU states and Russia. Lauku Avize

• The President of Latvia does not support granting rights to non-citizens to vote at municipal elections
• Parties Equality and BITE discuss their merger into the FHRUL party
• A competition of childrens drawings for promotion of tolerance and human rights
• Russian language school teachers invite colleagues to protest against education reform
• A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia comments on the recent EU-Russia Summit in Rome
• Representative of MFA of Russia about democracy in Latvia

In the reply letter to the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens (an NGO), the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stated that there is no need to grant voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections. According to the President’s Advisor on Legal Issues Sandra Kukule, these rights are not an obligatory legal norm in the EU, and non-citizens have the right to naturalize.

In the reply letter to the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens (an NGO), the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stated that there is no need to grant voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections. According to the Presidents Advisor on Legal Issues Sandra Kukule, these rights are not an obligatory legal norm in the EU, and non-citizens have the right to naturalize. Vechernaya Riga reviews the appeals of NGOs the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens and Civic Initiative – XXI to Latvian officials with a proposal to grant voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections. At the press conference, the NGOs leaders promised to continue their correspondence with authorities on this issue. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The party “Equality” (composed of around 400 members) and BITE (more than 60 members) are planning to discuss their merger into the unified party FHRUL in a conference. 

The party Equality (composed of around 400 members) and BITE (more than 60 members) are planning to discuss their merger into the unified party FHRUL in a conference. Lauku Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Special Task Minister’s for Social Integration Affairs Secretariat is planning a competition of children’s drawings to promote tolerance and human rights protection. The title of the competition is “Let’s be friends! We are different in Latvia!.”

The Special Task Ministers for Social Integration Affairs Secretariat is planning a competition of childrens drawings to promote tolerance and human rights protection. The title of the competition is Lets be friends! We are different in Latvia!. Lauku Avize

Russian language schoolteachers have initiated the idea of teachers’ uniting in the protest activities against 2004-education reform.

Russian language schoolteachers have initiated the idea of teachers uniting in the protest activities against 2004-education reform. Vechernaya Riga

Chas reports on statements of the official representative of the MFA of Russia Aleksandr Yakovenko to Russian media where he commented the recent EU-Russia Summit in Rome. According to the official, the EU is expecting from Latvia a flexible implementation of the switch of Russian language schools to Latvian language of instruction and observation of a legitimate public interest in the implementation of the State Language Law. In its turn, the Russian officials hope that fulfilling of international obligations in Latvia and Estonia will take place before the formal accession to the EU.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the director of the Second Department on the European Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia A.Udaltsov for a Russian journal Smisl (Sense). Udaltsov believes that there is a democratic deficit in Latvia because of the lack of voting rights of a large part of residents (who are not citizens). He also draws attention to Latvias ignoring recommendations of international organizations.