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

Before leaving for Moscow, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars said that he will not be discussing cooperation, however, meeting Moscow Council Chairman Vladimir Platonov, the two agreed upon signing a cooperation protocol. Bojars met Platonov on Thursday and agreed to sign a cooperation protocol between Riga and Moscow in the near future, reported the Riga City Council. The cooperation protocol project is to be developed in the coming weeks.

Before leaving for Moscow, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars said that he will not be discussing cooperation, however, meeting Moscow Council Chairman Vladimir Platonov, the two agreed upon signing a cooperation protocol. Bojars met Platonov on Thursday and agreed to sign a cooperation protocol between Riga and Moscow in the near future, reported the Riga City Council. The cooperation protocol project is to be developed in the coming weeks. BNS

Eight percent of the Russian population believes that Latvia is Russia's largest enemy, according to a poll published Thursday. The ROMIR poll asked people to name the countries they believe to be Russia's largest enemies and those countries believed to be their largest allies.

Eight percent of the Russian population believes that Latvia is Russia's largest enemy, according to a poll published Thursday. The ROMIR poll asked people to name the countries they believe to be Russia's largest enemies and those countries believed to be their largest allies. BNS

The mayor of western Latvian city Liepaja has asked the Lithuanian Border Guard to expedite border crossing between the two countries this summer when several culture and sports events in Liepaja are expected to draw large number of tourists. This summer several culture and sports events are planned in Liepaja likely to draw large number of Lithuanian visitors, therefore Liepaja mayor Uldis Sesks asked the Lithuanian Border Guard to find ways to expedite border crossing at Rucava checkpoint on the Latvian-Lithuanian border, reported a spokesman for the Liepaja City Council.

The mayor of western Latvian city Liepaja has asked the Lithuanian Border Guard to expedite border crossing between the two countries this summer when several culture and sports events in Liepaja are expected to draw large number of tourists. This summer several culture and sports events are planned in Liepaja likely to draw large number of Lithuanian visitors, therefore Liepaja mayor Uldis Sesks asked the Lithuanian Border Guard to find ways to expedite border crossing at Rucava checkpoint on the Latvian-Lithuanian border, reported a spokesman for the Liepaja City Council. BNS

The Europarliament committee delegation on visit to Latvia was pleasantly surprised over Latvia's progress and said the Baltic state has a good chance to be admitted to the European Union (EU) in the first enlargement wave, said the committee chairman. Elmar Brok, who chairs the Europarliament committee for foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defense, made this statement at a news conference in Riga on Friday.

The Europarliament committee delegation on visit to Latvia was pleasantly surprised over Latvia's progress and said the Baltic state has a good chance to be admitted to the European Union (EU) in the first enlargement wave, said the committee chairman. Elmar Brok, who chairs the Europarliament committee for foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defense, made this statement at a news conference in Riga on Friday. BNS

At their last spring session Saeima deputies adopted in the second reading the draft law “On Public Integration”. They are ready to adopt this law also in the final reading already this summer at one of the extraordinary sessions. The law is necessary to implement the Public Integration Program. The government will establish Public Integration Fund let by attracting foreign financing to further public integration in Latvia.

At their last spring session Saeima deputies adopted in the second reading the draft law On Public Integration. They are ready to adopt this law also in the final reading already this summer at one of the extraordinary sessions. The law is necessary to implement the Public Integration Program. The government will establish Public Integration Fund let by attracting foreign financing to further public integration in Latvia. Diena

The new improved machine-readable Latvian passports that were meant to use as travel documents will not be issued from July but only from September 1. Although the system testing with sample passports and training of employees will start next week DCMA upon a proposal of MFA will start issuing these passports only when they will be recognized by other states. Legalization of passports is mandatory before introducing new travel documents and lasts for about two months.

The new improved machine-readable Latvian passports that were meant to use as travel documents will not be issued from July but only from September 1. Although the system testing with sample passports and training of employees will start next week DCMA upon a proposal of MFA will start issuing these passports only when they will be recognized by other states. Legalization of passports is mandatory before introducing new travel documents and lasts for about two months. Diena

Latvian President V.Vike Freiberga while addressing MPs at their last spring session stressed the importance of internal security of Latvian on its way to NATO and EU. She was positive about her co-operation with the Saeima, and deputies praised the President for her achievements in foreign policy and urged her to be more active in using her legislative initiative.

Latvian President V.Vike Freiberga while addressing MPs at their last spring session stressed the importance of internal security of Latvian on its way to NATO and EU. She was positive about her co-operation with the Saeima, and deputies praised the President for her achievements in foreign policy and urged her to be more active in using her legislative initiative. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

Speaking about a possibility of a new party to be created V.Vike Freiberga abstained from making any forecasts. It is not possible to evaluate a nonexistent party before it has started to act. Nevertheless she thought that the idea to unite right wing forces had a good chance.

Speaking about a possibility of a new party to be created V.Vike Freiberga abstained from making any forecasts. It is not possible to evaluate a nonexistent party before it has started to act. Nevertheless she thought that the idea to unite right wing forces had a good chance. Respublika

Catalonia President Georgi Puzol arrived to Latvia to study its experience in public integration. While meeting with our officials he told them about the situation concerning language and integration. He also praised Latvia’s achievements and supported its attempts to join EU.

Catalonia President Georgi Puzol arrived to Latvia to study its experience in public integration. While meeting with our officials he told them about the situation concerning language and integration. He also praised Latvias achievements and supported its attempts to join EU. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

MFA press center published an announcement where they withdraw the application made in 1995 to candidate for the election of UN impermanent member in 2005 and postponed running for UN Security Council for some later time. It was done taking into consideration the intensive negotiations for joining EU and NATO and MFA considered it more important to concentrate its efforts on achieving these two goals.

MFA press center published an announcement where they withdraw the application made in 1995 to candidate for the election of UN impermanent member in 2005 and postponed running for UN Security Council for some later time. It was done taking into consideration the intensive negotiations for joining EU and NATO and MFA considered it more important to concentrate its efforts on achieving these two goals. Latvijas Vestnesis

Panorama Latvia

writes that within one week Latvian MFA expressed their incomprehension on the announcement of Russian President V.Putin about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. Putin had not had adequate information. But the paradox is that almost simultaneously with this also Latvian President spoke about the necessity to solve the problem of non-citizens. Latvian President in an interview to writes that within one week Latvian MFA expressed their incomprehension on the announcement of Russian President V.Putin about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. Putin had not had adequate information. But the paradox is that almost simultaneously with this also Latvian President spoke about the necessity to solve the problem of non-citizens. Latvian President in an interview to Lauku AvizeLauku Avize stated that percentage of non-citizens in Latvian was higher than in any other European country and steps should be taken to normalize the situation. Answering to the statements of Lauku Avize journalists that many demobilized Soviet military personnel had settled in Riga and that other countries did not understand the situation here, President answered we also do not understand the world. stated that percentage of non-citizens in Latvian was higher than in any other European country and steps should be taken to normalize the situation. Answering to the statements of Lauku Avize journalists that many demobilized Soviet military personnel had settled in Riga and that other countries did not understand the situation here, President answered “we also do not understand the world’. Yesterday Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov was present at the graduation party of the Baltic Russian Institute.

Yesterday Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov was present at the graduation party of the Baltic Russian Institute. Vesti Segodnya