Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

Press Report

For People’s Party this local government election will be the first one, and in their election campaign they put emphasis on three “engines” - candidates for the post of Riga City Mayor: Former Minister of Economics E.Krastins, businesswoman S.Pika and MP J.Dalbins to replace the party leader A.Skele, whose rating has fallen very low.

For Peoples Party this local government election will be the first one, and in their election campaign they put emphasis on three engines - candidates for the post of Riga City Mayor: Former Minister of Economics E.Krastins, businesswoman S.Pika and MP J.Dalbins to replace the party leader A.Skele, whose rating has fallen very low. Diena

Speaking about the principles of preparing the next year budget, Minister of Finances G.Berzins expressed an opinion that it was possible that public organizations could be involved in this process to ensure an open and successful development of the budget.

Speaking about the principles of preparing the next year budget, Minister of Finances G.Berzins expressed an opinion that it was possible that public organizations could be involved in this process to ensure an open and successful development of the budget. Diena

The government of Great Britain will allocate 50 000 pounds for the National State Language Training Program this year. It is stipulated in the agreement concluded between GB and UNDP. This money will be used for improving the state language proficiency of unemployed persons, medical personnel, teachers, policemen and handicapped persons. Along with GB also the USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and other EU countries support the Program.

The government of Great Britain will allocate 50 000 pounds for the National State Language Training Program this year. It is stipulated in the agreement concluded between GB and UNDP. This money will be used for improving the state language proficiency of unemployed persons, medical personnel, teachers, policemen and handicapped persons. Along with GB also the USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and other EU countries support the Program. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Prime Minister A.Berzins, at the meeting with the President V.Vike-Freiberga announced that his government was as stable as never before. Meanwhile politicians started talking that at the end of last week the three coalition partners -People’s Party, Latvian Way and FF/LNNK had agreed on “eternal trust” for Latvian Way representative Berzins’s government. So People’s Party leader A.Skele would be able to privatize Latvian Shipping Company undisturbed, but FF/LNNK as a consolation prize was promised to have the post Riga City mayor.

Yesterday Prime Minister A.Berzins, at the meeting with the President V.Vike-Freiberga announced that his government was as stable as never before. Meanwhile politicians started talking that at the end of last week the three coalition partners -Peoples Party, Latvian Way and FF/LNNK had agreed on eternal trust for Latvian Way representative Berzinss government. So Peoples Party leader A.Skele would be able to privatize Latvian Shipping Company undisturbed, but FF/LNNK as a consolation prize was promised to have the post Riga City mayor. Neatkariga

Yesterday at the meeting of Minister of Finances G.Berzins and International Monetary Fund mission an agreement was reached that budget deficit in Latvia would not exceed 1.75% of GDP.

Yesterday at the meeting of Minister of Finances G.Berzins and International Monetary Fund mission an agreement was reached that budget deficit in Latvia would not exceed 1.75% of GDP. Neatkariga

MFA Press Secretary M.Riekstins, presenting the Year Book, published by the Latvian MFA, said that the Ministry wanted to sum up all the major events in the diplomatic service last year. The book contains several materials on the main foreign policy priorities – integration into EU and NATO, regional co-operation, relations with Russia and evaluation of historical heritage in Latvia.

MFA Press Secretary M.Riekstins, presenting the Year Book, published by the Latvian MFA, said that the Ministry wanted to sum up all the major events in the diplomatic service last year. The book contains several materials on the main foreign policy priorities – integration into EU and NATO, regional co-operation, relations with Russia and evaluation of historical heritage in Latvia. Neatkariga

Today Prime Ministers of the Baltic States are coming to Riga to discuss expansion of EU and the place of the Baltic States in it.

Today Prime Ministers of the Baltic States are coming to Riga to discuss expansion of EU and the place of the Baltic States in it. Neatkariga

Latvian President considers that Latvia has lately received “certain signs and announcements” that create a favorable atmosphere and give reasons to hope for improvement of bilateral relations between Latvia and Russia. As a sample was mentioned the visit of Latvian MPs to Moscow and a promise that Russian MPs could come to Latvia.

Latvian President considers that Latvia has lately received certain signs and announcements that create a favorable atmosphere and give reasons to hope for improvement of bilateral relations between Latvia and Russia. As a sample was mentioned the visit of Latvian MPs to Moscow and a promise that Russian MPs could come to Latvia. Neatkariga

A time has come to exchange several Latvian diplomats abroad, therefore a decision will be taken on new ambassadors. Yesterday the Saeima Commission supported recalling of O.Pavlovskis from Spain, J.Dripe from Sweden, N.Penke from UK and J.Priedkalns from UN. The Ministry has nominated the new ambassadors but their names have not been made public yet.

A time has come to exchange several Latvian diplomats abroad, therefore a decision will be taken on new ambassadors. Yesterday the Saeima Commission supported recalling of O.Pavlovskis from Spain, J.Dripe from Sweden, N.Penke from UK and J.Priedkalns from UN. The Ministry has nominated the new ambassadors but their names have not been made public yet. Neatkariga

Now the Latvian Consulate General in St.Petersburg, after its building suffered from the attack of vandals at the end of January, has 24 hours security.

Now the Latvian Consulate General in St.Petersburg, after its building suffered from the attack of vandals at the end of January, has 24 hours security. Neatkariga

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvian – Russian relations have not been bad, just inactive. In an interview he stated that a proof for such a state were the facts that both countries had not signed agreements prepared long time ago, no meetings of state officials had taken place and the intergovernmental commission had not worked.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvian – Russian relations have not been bad, just inactive. In an interview he stated that a proof for such a state were the facts that both countries had not signed agreements prepared long time ago, no meetings of state officials had taken place and the intergovernmental commission had not worked. Neatkariga

To point out the role of education in the process of public social integration and economical development of regions, President V.Vike-Freiberga went on a three-day visit to Rezekne and Ludza Regions. She started her visit with greeting the new citizens at the Rezekne office of the Naturalization Board. She also visited Polish School there, met with representatives of local governments and intellectuals.

To point out the role of education in the process of public social integration and economical development of regions, President V.Vike-Freiberga went on a three-day visit to Rezekne and Ludza Regions. She started her visit with greeting the new citizens at the Rezekne office of the Naturalization Board. She also visited Polish School there, met with representatives of local governments and intellectuals. Neatkariga

The proposal of Riga City Council faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to establish a Council of non-citizens caused different reaction among politicians. The leader of For Human Rights in United Latvia block J.Jurkans supports this idea because a two-community society is a reality in Latvia and the Council could help to unite the society. A.Seikts from Latvian Way says that if the goal of this council is to further a dialog then such a council is a positive thing, but if it is aimed to put forward political objections, then its life span would be short. J.Lagzdins from People’s Party sees in it just a regular trick of Rubiks’s pre-election campaign.

The proposal of Riga City Council faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to establish a Council of non-citizens caused different reaction among politicians. The leader of For Human Rights in United Latvia block J.Jurkans supports this idea because a two-community society is a reality in Latvia and the Council could help to unite the society. A.Seikts from Latvian Way says that if the goal of this council is to further a dialog then such a council is a positive thing, but if it is aimed to put forward political objections, then its life span would be short. J.Lagzdins from Peoples Party sees in it just a regular trick of Rubikss pre-election campaign. Lauku Avize

Asked about the idea to establish the Council of Non-citizens Riga City mayor A.Argalis said that if non-citizen residents of Riga wanted to be more actively involved in the political life of the city, they had a possibility to naturalize. All residents of Riga had equal possibilities to influence political processes in the city – all deputies regularly receive visitors, and 60 Riga City Council deputies represent both citizens and non-citizens.

Asked about the idea to establish the Council of Non-citizens Riga City mayor A.Argalis said that if non-citizen residents of Riga wanted to be more actively involved in the political life of the city, they had a possibility to naturalize. All residents of Riga had equal possibilities to influence political processes in the city – all deputies regularly receive visitors, and 60 Riga City Council deputies represent both citizens and non-citizens. Chas

A.Yelkin in

A.Yelkin in Vesti Segodnya writes about two companies that followed the call of left wingers to start a civic disobedience action. These companies put out their signboards only in the Russian language. Human Rights Committee G.Kotov handed the representatives of these companies a diploma for courage.

On January 23 the Cabinet of Ministers accepted a draft decree on the institutional change of system of testing state language proficiency. It stipulates that this function will be taken over from State Language Center by the Education Content and Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Head of State Language Center Dz.Hirsa explains the necessity of this step.

On January 23 the Cabinet of Ministers accepted a draft decree on the institutional change of system of testing state language proficiency. It stipulates that this function will be taken over from State Language Center by the Education Content and Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Head of State Language Center Dz.Hirsa explains the necessity of this step. Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a speech about different Latvian foreign policy aspects at an academic conference in Latvian University. Among other things he spoke about the State language law stating that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel had greeted this law. I.Berzins told about the good cooperation between Latvian government and OSCE and CoE experts ensured conformity of this law to European standards. The fact that the civic disobedience campaign, called for by some opposition parties, failed proved that this law and its implementation regulations were democratic – people saw that this law did not effect their lives and did not limit their rights. The same situation was with so much discussed citizenship problem. The great number of applicants of Latvian citizenship proved the wish of Latvian residents to link their lives with Latvia.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a speech about different Latvian foreign policy aspects at an academic conference in Latvian University. Among other things he spoke about the State language law stating that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel had greeted this law. I.Berzins told about the good cooperation between Latvian government and OSCE and CoE experts ensured conformity of this law to European standards. The fact that the civic disobedience campaign, called for by some opposition parties, failed proved that this law and its implementation regulations were democratic – people saw that this law did not effect their lives and did not limit their rights. The same situation was with so much discussed citizenship problem. The great number of applicants of Latvian citizenship proved the wish of Latvian residents to link their lives with Latvia. Latvijas Vestnesis