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

The Naturalisation Board on Wednesday signed with the UNDP, OSCE Mission to Latvia and the Justice Ministry a document about co-operation aimed at developing and implementing a major project about informing Latvia's population about citizenship and naturalisation issues. The signing ceremony was attended by Aldermane, OSCE mission to Latvia head Peter Semneby, the UNDP permanent representative in Latvia Jan Sand Soerensen and the Justice Ministry Public Integration Department director Vilnis Antoniskis as well as representatives from US, UK, Swedish and Canadian embassies in Latvia. The survey conducted by the Naturalisation Board showed that the population, be it citizens or non-citizens, develop an increasingly positive attitude towards naturalisation but further efforts are still required, Aldermane stated. The OSCE representative in his turn said that OSCE Mission to Latvia had focussed on legislative consultations but now they will turn towards implementation of the citizenship law, a process to the interests of Latvia as well as its foreign partners. P.Semneby said the Naturalisation Board had made impressive achievements in levelling out differences between citizens and non-citizens but more difficulties will arise as Latvia moves towards the EU membership. Now it was the right time to inform non-citizens about citizenship and how their choice today will affect their future after Latvia's admission to the EU, he said, adding that no pressure should be exerted on non-citizens as naturalisation was one's personal choice. The OSCE Mission head said that naturalisation in Latvia had become a clear priority for the government as evidenced by development of the public integration program. The OSCE is contributing to the process with the Fast Track language program, helping on-citizens in learning the Latvian language. The UNDP representative said that integration was a priority also for the UNDP as the purpose of the integration was to ensure equal possibilities for all population and to help them to develop a sense of belonging with their common country.

The Naturalisation Board on Wednesday signed with the UNDP, OSCE Mission to Latvia and the Justice Ministry a document about co-operation aimed at developing and implementing a major project about informing Latvia's population about citizenship and naturalisation issues. The signing ceremony was attended by Aldermane, OSCE mission to Latvia head Peter Semneby, the UNDP permanent representative in Latvia Jan Sand Soerensen and the Justice Ministry Public Integration Department director Vilnis Antoniskis as well as representatives from US, UK, Swedish and Canadian embassies in Latvia. The survey conducted by the Naturalisation Board showed that the population, be it citizens or non-citizens, develop an increasingly positive attitude towards naturalisation but further efforts are still required, Aldermane stated. The OSCE representative in his turn said that OSCE Mission to Latvia had focussed on legislative consultations but now they will turn towards implementation of the citizenship law, a process to the interests of Latvia as well as its foreign partners. P.Semneby said the Naturalisation Board had made impressive achievements in levelling out differences between citizens and non-citizens but more difficulties will arise as Latvia moves towards the EU membership. Now it was the right time to inform non-citizens about citizenship and how their choice today will affect their future after Latvia's admission to the EU, he said, adding that no pressure should be exerted on non-citizens as naturalisation was one's personal choice. The OSCE Mission head said that naturalisation in Latvia had become a clear priority for the government as evidenced by development of the public integration program. The OSCE is contributing to the process with the Fast Track language program, helping on-citizens in learning the Latvian language. The UNDP representative said that integration was a priority also for the UNDP as the purpose of the integration was to ensure equal possibilities for all population and to help them to develop a sense of belonging with their common country. BNS

Following several incidents when Latvian embassy in Moscow was smeared with paint Russia has stepped up external security at the embassy, including during the night hours.

Following several incidents when Latvian embassy in Moscow was smeared with paint Russia has stepped up external security at the embassy, including during the night hours. Jauna

Yesterday was one more attempt of Social Democrats and FF/LNNK to establish a coalition at Riga City Council. The discussions went “partly successful”. Social Democrats and FF/LNNK have signed co-operation agreement on two basic principles – one that the obligations of one party are not binding to another and the second – any other political unions can be included in a coalition only upon the agreement of both parties. On the request of FF/LNNK in the agreement were included also the following principles – the Council works in accordance with the Law on Municipalities and State Language Law.

Yesterday was one more attempt of Social Democrats and FF/LNNK to establish a coalition at Riga City Council. The discussions went partly successful. Social Democrats and FF/LNNK have signed co-operation agreement on two basic principles – one that the obligations of one party are not binding to another and the second – any other political unions can be included in a coalition only upon the agreement of both parties. On the request of FF/LNNK in the agreement were included also the following principles – the Council works in accordance with the Law on Municipalities and State Language Law. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss

Yesterday the Saeima turned down the line of the amendments to the Law on Education proposed by FHRUL. Mainly the amendments granted national minority students possibility to study programmes of secondary and vocational education in their languages.

Yesterday the Saeima turned down the line of the amendments to the Law on Education proposed by FHRUL. Mainly the amendments granted national minority students possibility to study programmes of secondary and vocational education in their languages. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas

Today President V.Vike-Freiberga will open a conference “Society Integration in Latvia: Aspects, Opinions, Perspectives”.

Today President V.Vike-Freiberga will open a conference Society Integration in Latvia: Aspects, Opinions, Perspectives. Vesti Segodnja

The conference is aimed at assessing the current situation in the area of society integration, seeking solutions for involving non-governmental organisations and society in the integration process and promote better understanding among the public about the state program on society integration in Latvia. Reports and opinion about society integration will be provided to the conference by experts and government officials, including Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka, Culture Minister Karina Petersone, Education and Research Minister Karlis Greiskalns and Welfare Minister Andrejs Pozarnovs. The conference will feature meetings with NGOs and national minorities representatives, state and local authorities institutions officials. The conference will invite to a mutual dialogue on the present situation in the country to find solutions for more successful process of society integration. The conference is expected to be joined by international organisation officials, foreign ambassadors, president's chancellery and prime minister's office staffers.

The conference is aimed at assessing the current situation in the area of society integration, seeking solutions for involving non-governmental organisations and society in the integration process and promote better understanding among the public about the state program on society integration in Latvia. Reports and opinion about society integration will be provided to the conference by experts and government officials, including Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka, Culture Minister Karina Petersone, Education and Research Minister Karlis Greiskalns and Welfare Minister Andrejs Pozarnovs. The conference will feature meetings with NGOs and national minorities representatives, state and local authorities institutions officials. The conference will invite to a mutual dialogue on the present situation in the country to find solutions for more successful process of society integration. The conference is expected to be joined by international organisation officials, foreign ambassadors, president's chancellery and prime minister's office staffers. BNS

Vesti Segodnja

looks upon school optimisation plan in regard to national minorities. Although the number of pupils including Russian-speaking is dropping because of demographic situation in the country, Russian schools should not be closed, as there is no chance for them to be re-open in the future even if the demographic situation gets better. looks upon school optimisation plan in regard to national minorities. Although the number of pupils including Russian-speaking is dropping because of demographic situation in the country, Russian schools should not be closed, as there is no chance for them to be re-open in the future even if the demographic situation gets better.

Chas

interviews the new Daugavpils City Council Maoyr R.Eigims. When asked about the state language, he says that it was good that he was examined one more time and that all sessions of the Council are held in Latvian. interviews the new Daugavpils City Council Maoyr R.Eigims. When asked about the state language, he says that it was good that he was examined one more time and that all sessions of the Council are held in Latvian.