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 Review

With a majority of 77 votes the Saeima yesterday passed the strategy for integration into EU. It was decided that the Foreign Ministry would inform the parliament once in six months about the implementation of the strategy. Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in his address to the politicians brought up a goal that Latvia should finish accession negotiations by 2003.

With a majority of 77 votes the Saeima yesterday passed the strategy for integration into EU. It was decided that the Foreign Ministry would inform the parliament once in six months about the implementation of the strategy. Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in his address to the politicians brought up a goal that Latvia should finish accession negotiations by 2003. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti

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has stressed more the position of the opposition faction For Human Rights in United Latvia who voted against the strategy – they support Latvia joining the EU but they have objections to the document. After Janis Jurkans, it does not provide for practical steps in integration of non-citizens, just the opposite – it says that schools will shift exclusively to Latvian language of instruction. Only few words are devoted to national minorities. has stressed more the position of the opposition faction For Human Rights in United Latvia who voted against the strategy – they support Latvia joining the EU but they have objections to the document. After Janis Jurkans, it does not provide for practical steps in integration of non-citizens, just the opposite – it says that schools will shift exclusively to Latvian language of instruction. Only few words are devoted to national minorities. Commenting on the visit of the European Commission officials in Latvia, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry Andris Kesteris told

Commenting on the visit of the European Commission officials in Latvia, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry Andris Kesteris told Neatkariga that the European Commission has been closely following the society integration problems and implementation of the Language Law and these will be topics of interest during the visit to Latvia as well.

On the occasion of the 5-year anniversary of the Naturalization Board

On the occasion of the 5-year anniversary of the Naturalization Board Diena looks at the overall results reached in naturalization so far, stresses that the key for success in future will be learning of the Latvian language. Jauna Avize stresses that although the government has declared its attempts to grant wide possibilities for non-citizens to obtain citizenship, due to the insufficient funding Naturalization Board has to dismiss employees and slow down the speed of Naturalization. Respublika gives a short insight in the development of the Board during the five years and the planned celebration events.

Another article in

Another article in Jauna Avize criticizes the government of being incapable to allot money (16 thousand lats) to pay for developing the society integration program while most of the needed money – almost 42 thousand lats – has been allotted by UN.

Vilis Seleckis in

Vilis Seleckis in Jauna Avize looks at the lessons Latvia could learn from the response among the EU countries to the new government in Austria. The conclusion for Latvia should be that the ideas of radical nationalism have no future if Latvia wants to join the EU. Most likely the visits and teaching of Max van der Stoel are only the beginning in our political education.

Experts of foreign relations do not support the New Party’s initiative to have a survey on the opinion on EU along with the census as the answers will have no legal force. President Freiberga thinks that the money should be rather spent for providing more information about the EU. Prime Minister Skele still maintains that this could be a good opportunity to learn the opinion of the whole spectrum of Latvia’s residents without spending big money.

Experts of foreign relations do not support the New Partys initiative to have a survey on the opinion on EU along with the census as the answers will have no legal force. President Freiberga thinks that the money should be rather spent for providing more information about the EU. Prime Minister Skele still maintains that this could be a good opportunity to learn the opinion of the whole spectrum of Latvias residents without spending big money. Neatkariga

Saeima’s Commission for implementation of the Citizenship Law will request the government to grant 3000 lats from the state budget to help the Association of National Cultural Societies.

Saeimas Commission for implementation of the Citizenship Law will request the government to grant 3000 lats from the state budget to help the Association of National Cultural Societies. Diena

Lauku Avize tells about a Latvian farmer from Jelgava district who has decided to give up his Latvian citizenship but has not succeeded for several weeks. The paper offers an explanation by the Head of the Legal Department of the Naturalization Board Vitalijs Rutkovskis what is the procedure for such a step.

Lauku Avize tells about a Latvian farmer from Jelgava district who has decided to give up his Latvian citizenship but has not succeeded for several weeks. The paper offers an explanation by the Head of the Legal Department of the Naturalization Board Vitalijs Rutkovskis what is the procedure for such a step.

The government regulations in Estonia now provide that foreigners seeking for residence permits will not have to present documents proving the place they are staying at and their earnings. This information will be entered in the application form and confirmed by the applicant’s signature.

The government regulations in Estonia now provide that foreigners seeking for residence permits will not have to present documents proving the place they are staying at and their earnings. This information will be entered in the application form and confirmed by the applicants signature. Respublika