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

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov during his first official meeting with Latvian lawmakers Thursday objected to Latvia's plans to join NATO, saying that European Union (EU) membership will suffice as security guarantee. Studennikov said every country had the right to select own security guarantee but so that this choice would not threaten other countries. Latvia's admission to NATO will pose a threat to Russia, therefore the Baltic state should pick some other security guarantee, the Russian ambassador said at the meeting with representatives from Latvian-Russian parliamentary co-operation group. Russia's concern was due to the growing militarisation of NATO as evidenced by the alliance's involvement in the Kosovo conflict, indicating its readiness to use force. Studennikov voiced Russia's reproaches to Latvia for introduction of visa requirements for passengers of trains running between the two countries. This practice is contradictory to the outcome of the meeting between Latvian and Russian presidents in Austria, the Russian ambassador said. Russia is also displeased with Latvia introducing the EU standards, although Latvia was not a member of the organisation yet. The ambassador said Russian would also like to see Latvia officially denounce the essay contest organised by Latvian publishers, Vieda, and described as instigating ethnic and racial hatred. He also criticized sharply the harsh punishment of National Bolsheviks, members of a Russian extremist party, whom Latvia sentenced to 15 years in prison. He also noted that Latvia brought war crime charges against former Soviet partisan Vassily Kononov, the move in itself offending to the Russian nation, right on May 8, the Victory Day, which is very important date for Russia as it marks the end of World War Two. The Russian ambassador to Latvia expressed concern over problems related to Russian-language schools and the language law provisions, stating that Russia does not ask anything in excess of usual rights granted to all ethnic minorities in Europe. He voiced suspicion that all above-mentioned actions had been taken with the purpose to damage Latvian-Russian relations. Latvian parliament's European affairs committee chairman Edvins Inkens responded to this criticism, saying it seems to him that the history is repeating. Latvia will not react to "separate extravagant statements by Russian lawmakers," as it was only rhetoric.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov during his first official meeting with Latvian lawmakers Thursday objected to Latvia's plans to join NATO, saying that European Union (EU) membership will suffice as security guarantee. Studennikov said every country had the right to select own security guarantee but so that this choice would not threaten other countries. Latvia's admission to NATO will pose a threat to Russia, therefore the Baltic state should pick some other security guarantee, the Russian ambassador said at the meeting with representatives from Latvian-Russian parliamentary co-operation group. Russia's concern was due to the growing militarisation of NATO as evidenced by the alliance's involvement in the Kosovo conflict, indicating its readiness to use force. Studennikov voiced Russia's reproaches to Latvia for introduction of visa requirements for passengers of trains running between the two countries. This practice is contradictory to the outcome of the meeting between Latvian and Russian presidents in Austria, the Russian ambassador said. Russia is also displeased with Latvia introducing the EU standards, although Latvia was not a member of the organisation yet. The ambassador said Russian would also like to see Latvia officially denounce the essay contest organised by Latvian publishers, Vieda, and described as instigating ethnic and racial hatred. He also criticized sharply the harsh punishment of National Bolsheviks, members of a Russian extremist party, whom Latvia sentenced to 15 years in prison. He also noted that Latvia brought war crime charges against former Soviet partisan Vassily Kononov, the move in itself offending to the Russian nation, right on May 8, the Victory Day, which is very important date for Russia as it marks the end of World War Two. The Russian ambassador to Latvia expressed concern over problems related to Russian-language schools and the language law provisions, stating that Russia does not ask anything in excess of usual rights granted to all ethnic minorities in Europe. He voiced suspicion that all above-mentioned actions had been taken with the purpose to damage Latvian-Russian relations. Latvian parliament's European affairs committee chairman Edvins Inkens responded to this criticism, saying it seems to him that the history is repeating. Latvia will not react to "separate extravagant statements by Russian lawmakers," as it was only rhetoric. Neatkariga, BNS, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

German Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse in the Latvian parliament expressed support to all Baltic states on the path to NATO and European Union, however, in regard to Latvia’s possible joining NATO he emphasised “Latvia has to become a bridge between East and West”, it would not be beneficial for Latvia to join NATO if Russia is against that. Saeima deputies did not hide their disappointment in the stance of Germany. When Bundestag President inquired about national minorities and naturalisation issues in Latvia, Latvian Prime Minister stated that legislation concerning citizenship and language issues is in a line with the requirements of the OSCE.

German Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse in the Latvian parliament expressed support to all Baltic states on the path to NATO and European Union, however, in regard to Latvias possible joining NATO he emphasised Latvia has to become a bridge between East and West, it would not be beneficial for Latvia to join NATO if Russia is against that. Saeima deputies did not hide their disappointment in the stance of Germany. When Bundestag President inquired about national minorities and naturalisation issues in Latvia, Latvian Prime Minister stated that legislation concerning citizenship and language issues is in a line with the requirements of the OSCE. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Respublika

More than two months after the municipal government election in Latvia the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and FF/LNNK together with a number of smaller council parties, finally signed a coalition agreement. The new coalition is to have 34 votes in the 60 strong council with the core being 25 seats held by the social democrats and FF/LNNK. The coalition does not include left-wing For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL) holding 13 seats at the council, as well as the deputy mayor and chairperson seats on a number of council commissions, because FF/LNNK was against including them in the coalition for diverging ideological opinions. Nevertheless, the left-wing alliance, thanks to whom the social democrats managed to elect Gundars Bojars as Riga mayor, has previously announced that the coalition does not bother them, as one must look at not what's on paper but on actions, and the leading seats already taken by the left-wing will not be lost. Small parties represented in the coalition: the Green Party (2 seats), the Democratic Party (2 seats), the Labour Party (1 seat), the Russian Party (1 seat), the Welfare Party (2 seats) and the Latvian Farmers Union (1 seat), while both christian parties, the New Christian Party (1) and The Christian Democratic Union (1), did not sign the agreement.

More than two months after the municipal government election in Latvia the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and FF/LNNK together with a number of smaller council parties, finally signed a coalition agreement. The new coalition is to have 34 votes in the 60 strong council with the core being 25 seats held by the social democrats and FF/LNNK. The coalition does not include left-wing For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL) holding 13 seats at the council, as well as the deputy mayor and chairperson seats on a number of council commissions, because FF/LNNK was against including them in the coalition for diverging ideological opinions. Nevertheless, the left-wing alliance, thanks to whom the social democrats managed to elect Gundars Bojars as Riga mayor, has previously announced that the coalition does not bother them, as one must look at not what's on paper but on actions, and the leading seats already taken by the left-wing will not be lost. Small parties represented in the coalition: the Green Party (2 seats), the Democratic Party (2 seats), the Labour Party (1 seat), the Russian Party (1 seat), the Welfare Party (2 seats) and the Latvian Farmers Union (1 seat), while both christian parties, the New Christian Party (1) and The Christian Democratic Union (1), did not sign the agreement. Diena, Jauna, Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

The Russian Duma's call to step up opposition against NATO enlargement eastwards does not indicate a new turn in Russia's current position, said Latvian officials. Latvian prime minister Andris Berzins, when asked to comment on the document by the Russian Duma, said that Latvia did not wanted to be a grey zone therefore it will continue its movement towards NATO.Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga also said that under the OSCE principles, to which Russia also had acceded, each country had the right to own security model.

The Russian Duma's call to step up opposition against NATO enlargement eastwards does not indicate a new turn in Russia's current position, said Latvian officials. Latvian prime minister Andris Berzins, when asked to comment on the document by the Russian Duma, said that Latvia did not wanted to be a grey zone therefore it will continue its movement towards NATO.Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga also said that under the OSCE principles, to which Russia also had acceded, each country had the right to own security model. BNS