Culture, Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

Some fifty people participated in the rally, while about a dozen "anti-globalists" across the street were holding placards protesting the government's decision that Latvia would have to take in 250 refugees.

Culture Minister Dace Melbarde (All For Latvia-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) said during a meeting with those who participated in the rally and their opponents that the Culture Ministry was responsible for just one part of society integration matters. She said that the Culture Ministry would have to ensure that refugees who arrive in Latvia know Latvia's history and, in cooperation with the Education and Science Ministry, the Culture Ministry organize language training for the refugees.

The Culture Ministry's Deputy State Secretary Uldis Lielpeters added that the Welfare Ministry would be responsible for the employment of the asylum seekers, the Economy Ministry for housing matters, etc.

The rally participants expressed concern about the integration policy of Latvia, noting that a large number of residents had not been able to integrate into the Latvian society for twenty years. They also emphasized the importance of language training and work with the media.

Melbarde replied that there were no long-term solutions to the problem of refugees in Europe, and such solutions could hardly be found in Latvia either.

She said that integration was a two-way process and that those who wish to integrate into society also had to change.

Andris Orols, the head of the "Anti-globalists", said that whether Latvia was to accommodate refugees or not should be decided through a referendum.