• Newspapers report about a study on actual aspects of society integration and citizenship conducted for the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration
• Vilis Vitols (Latvian entrepreneur who lived for many decades in Venezuela): Latvia must stop funding Russian language schools

According to a study on actual aspects of society integration and citizenship conducted for the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, 60% of Latvian residents are Latvian patriots, while 21% of residents do not consider themselves as patriots. 56% of residents would defend Latvia if there is a threat for its independence.  Majority of Latvian citizens feel close ties with the country, while only half of non-citizens feel such ties. The study reveals differences in traditions of celebration of various occasions between citizens and non-citizens and ethnic minorities and ethnic Latvia. Thus, 63 of non-citizens and only 4% of citizens celebrate the Victory Day on 9 May. The Victory Day is celebrated by 54% of ethnic Russians and by 41% of other ethnic minorities and only by 5 % of ethnic Latvians.

According to a study on actual aspects of society integration and citizenship conducted for the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, 60% of Latvian residents are Latvian patriots, while 21% of residents do not consider themselves as patriots. 56% of residents would defend Latvia if there is a threat for its independence. Majority of Latvian citizens feel close ties with the country, while only half of non-citizens feel such ties. The study reveals differences in traditions of celebration of various occasions between citizens and non-citizens and ethnic minorities and ethnic Latvia. Thus, 63 of non-citizens and only 4% of citizens celebrate the Victory Day on 9 May. The Victory Day is celebrated by 54% of ethnic Russians and by 41% of other ethnic minorities and only by 5 % of ethnic Latvians. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with Vilis Vitols (Latvian entrepreneur who lived for many decades in Venezuela). Mr. Vitols states that Latvia must stop funding Russian language schools because thus all young people will learn Latvian language and full society integration will be completed during two generations.

• Saeimas Legal Committee refused proposals to raise fines for violations of the State Language Law
• Latvijas Avize reports about public discussions on the draft guidelines for society integration 2009-2013 held by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in Daugavpils and Jelgava

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Legal Committee refused proposals of the MP Karlis Sadurskis (Citizens’ Union) to raise fines for violations of the State Language Law. The MP proposed to fine teachers with LVL 100 (EUR 142)  for insufficient Latvian language usage at work; workers of service sphere with LVL 200 (EUR 284) for the same violation; while disuse of Latvian in record-keeping to fine with LVL 1000 (EUR 1423).

Yesterday, the Saeimas Legal Committee refused proposals of the MP Karlis Sadurskis (Citizens Union) to raise fines for violations of the State Language Law. The MP proposed to fine teachers with LVL 100 (EUR 142) for insufficient Latvian language usage at work; workers of service sphere with LVL 200 (EUR 284) for the same violation; while disuse of Latvian in record-keeping to fine with LVL 1000 (EUR 1423). Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports about public discussions on the draft guidelines for society integration 2009-2013 held by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in Daugavpils and Jelgava. According to the article, the discussions were poorly attended. Neither cities officials nor largest NGOs of these cities were represented at the discussions.

• Head of the National Radio and Television Council Abrams Kleckins: Russian language channels will not be forbidden in Latvia
• Members of the world conference of Russian compatriots appealed to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe regarding infringement of rights of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia

Yesterday, the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) held a meeting with the head of the National Radio and Television Council Abrams Kleckins, executive director of the Association of Broadcasting Organisations Gunta Lidaka and head of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis. Representatives of the FF/LNIM stated that there are too many Russian language TV channels in Latvia and this fact might endanger positions of Latvian language. In the meantime, Mr. Kleckins and Mrs. Lidaka stated that Latvian language and culture must be protected and developed but not by banning broadcasts in other languages. Abrams Kleckins stated that Russian channels will not be forbidden in Latvia because they are very popular and demanded in the media market. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that members of the world conference of Russian compatriots recently held in Moscow have adopted appeal to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe regarding infringement of rights of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia. The appeal criticizes the fact that non-citizens in Latvia are not granted voting rights in municipal and the EP elections. According to the appeal, the Russian compatriots support recommendations of international organisations regarding this issue and role of Russia in protection of interests of Russian speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia.

3 November

• Head of the Peoples party Mareks Seglins: the Concord Centre could join the governing coalition if it does not make claims regarding ethnic issues
• Most popular parties in Latvia in September: the Concord Centre, the Union of Greens and Farmers and the New Era

In an interview with

In an interview with Latvijas Avize, head of the Peoples party Mareks Seglins states that the Concord Centre could join the governing coalition if it does not make claims regarding ethnic issues such as granting status of official state language to Russian language and voting rights for non-citizens. According to Mr. Seglins, the Concord Centre should not be entrusted posts of ministers of foreign affairs, culture, education and defence. In the meantime, posts of ministers of welfare, economics and e-affairs could be entrusted to this party.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company “Latvijas fakti”, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 12,9% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima elections are held in October. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6 %, the New Era by 5.1%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 30.4 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 17.2% of respondents would not participate in the elections.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company Latvijas fakti, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 12,9% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima elections are held in October. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6 %, the New Era by 5.1%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 30.4 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 17.2% of respondents would not participate in the elections. Diena

Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane: cancellation of U.S.A. visa requirements for Latvian citizens might stimulate naturalisation

Five citizens of Georgia have appealed for asylum in Latvia

According to the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane, number of applicants for Latvian citizenship might grow in the near future due to the fact that the U.S.A. cancels visa requirement for Latvian citizens. Latvian non-citizens still will be required visas to enter the U.S.A.

According to the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane, number of applicants for Latvian citizenship might grow in the near future due to the fact that the U.S.A. cancels visa requirement for Latvian citizens. Latvian non-citizens still will be required visas to enter the U.S.A. Telegraf

Diena reports that on 28 October five citizens of Georgia have appealed for asylum in Latvia. In total, 20 ethnic Georgians have appealed for asylum in Latvia since the beginning of the year.