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

A group of Latvia's scientists who developed a report on ethnic policy in Latvia called on the government to allocate appropriate financing to promote culture development of national minorities and set up a mechanism of dialogue between the government and minorities. Authors of the research -- a group of outstanding Latvian scientists --believe last year no society integration measures have taken place but rather public rallies splitting society. Authors of the research Ethnic Policy in Latvia also recommend the Latvian parliament to ratify the Council of Europe convention on protection of national minorities, defining limitations underscoring specific circumstances in Latvia. University of Latvia Philosophy and Social Sciences Institute researcher Leo Dribins said the convention is a "time bomb and the question should be raised at the level of general politics". He said the Convention is not a political ultimatum and Latvia should present to the Council of Europe possible objections Latvia may have to certain provisions under the convention. The authors of the research consider the ruling coalition parties centrist Latvia's Way and right-to-the-centre People's Party so far have not revealed their ethnic political views. The ethnic policy direction is most vividly expressed in programs of Social Democrats, leftist National Harmony Party and nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party. The research Ethnic Policy in Latvia said Latvians in Latvia do not have ethnic public organisation aimed at ethnic policy. But Russian minorities, especially in Latvia's regions, have several such organisations, including politicised non-governmental organisations that are attempting to take involvement in decision making process. Editor-in-chief of the research and project manager philosopher Elmars Vebers said Latvian media do not show much interest in opinions of national minorities on a variety of issues, thus not promoting process of mutual understanding and integration in society. Authors of the research underscored there is no mechanism in Latvia at the government level for building dialogue between a variety of ethnic groups. The law on national minorities actually has not been implemented, it is "over-protocolled" and should be improved. Recommendations to report said Latvia should raise investment into projects aimed at retaining and improving national minorities culture, language and traditions, thus enriching Latvia's common culture environment. The authors of the research, including Ilga Apine, Leo Dribins, Arturs Jansons, Elmars Vebers, Vladislavs Volkovs and Sigita Zankovka have gathered and analysed data about social, culture and political activities of Latvia's national minorities as well as solution of ethnic policy issues in the areas of language, culture, education and society information.

A group of Latvia's scientists who developed a report on ethnic policy in Latvia called on the government to allocate appropriate financing to promote culture development of national minorities and set up a mechanism of dialogue between the government and minorities. Authors of the research -- a group of outstanding Latvian scientists --believe last year no society integration measures have taken place but rather public rallies splitting society. Authors of the research Ethnic Policy in Latvia also recommend the Latvian parliament to ratify the Council of Europe convention on protection of national minorities, defining limitations underscoring specific circumstances in Latvia. University of Latvia Philosophy and Social Sciences Institute researcher Leo Dribins said the convention is a "time bomb and the question should be raised at the level of general politics". He said the Convention is not a political ultimatum and Latvia should present to the Council of Europe possible objections Latvia may have to certain provisions under the convention. The authors of the research consider the ruling coalition parties centrist Latvia's Way and right-to-the-centre People's Party so far have not revealed their ethnic political views. The ethnic policy direction is most vividly expressed in programs of Social Democrats, leftist National Harmony Party and nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party. The research Ethnic Policy in Latvia said Latvians in Latvia do not have ethnic public organisation aimed at ethnic policy. But Russian minorities, especially in Latvia's regions, have several such organisations, including politicised non-governmental organisations that are attempting to take involvement in decision making process. Editor-in-chief of the research and project manager philosopher Elmars Vebers said Latvian media do not show much interest in opinions of national minorities on a variety of issues, thus not promoting process of mutual understanding and integration in society. Authors of the research underscored there is no mechanism in Latvia at the government level for building dialogue between a variety of ethnic groups. The law on national minorities actually has not been implemented, it is "over-protocolled" and should be improved. Recommendations to report said Latvia should raise investment into projects aimed at retaining and improving national minorities culture, language and traditions, thus enriching Latvia's common culture environment. The authors of the research, including Ilga Apine, Leo Dribins, Arturs Jansons, Elmars Vebers, Vladislavs Volkovs and Sigita Zankovka have gathered and analysed data about social, culture and political activities of Latvia's national minorities as well as solution of ethnic policy issues in the areas of language, culture, education and society information. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga had a brief informal meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov as part of Salzburg Economic Forum and invited him to visit Latvia. The two officials met in a reception held by Austrian president Monday evening and the conversation lasted for some five minutes. The conversation focused mainly on economic co-operation and Vike-Freiberga reported to Kasyanov about latest economic developments in Latvia. The two officials also spoke about co-operation in Central and Eastern Europe underscoring the forum was useful as it provided a chance for politicians and business people to meet and discuss regional and bilateral co-operation issues. The president on Tuesday joined a thematic dinner that was attended by some 100 guests and to which Kasyanov was the main speaker. Rozenberga said Vike-Freiberga in Salzburg also met leader of Russian party Yabloko, Grigory Yavlinsky, who underscored the important role of relations between Russia and the Baltic states in Russia's democratisation process as well as in the dialogue of Russia with Nordic states and the rest of Europe. Yavlinsky told the president that accession of the Baltic states, including Latvia, to NATO is the right of sovereign countries to choose security guarantees for the future.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga had a brief informal meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov as part of Salzburg Economic Forum and invited him to visit Latvia. The two officials met in a reception held by Austrian president Monday evening and the conversation lasted for some five minutes. The conversation focused mainly on economic co-operation and Vike-Freiberga reported to Kasyanov about latest economic developments in Latvia. The two officials also spoke about co-operation in Central and Eastern Europe underscoring the forum was useful as it provided a chance for politicians and business people to meet and discuss regional and bilateral co-operation issues. The president on Tuesday joined a thematic dinner that was attended by some 100 guests and to which Kasyanov was the main speaker. Rozenberga said Vike-Freiberga in Salzburg also met leader of Russian party Yabloko, Grigory Yavlinsky, who underscored the important role of relations between Russia and the Baltic states in Russia's democratisation process as well as in the dialogue of Russia with Nordic states and the rest of Europe. Yavlinsky told the president that accession of the Baltic states, including Latvia, to NATO is the right of sovereign countries to choose security guarantees for the future. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Respublika

The Latvian government in general has accepted the model of administrative territorial reform envisaging forming 102 local authorities, which was supported by majority of society. The government though did not express support to any concrete terms for the reform implementation - either 2003 or 2005. Currently Latvia has 552 local authorities and 26 district authorities.

Diena, Jauna, Respublika Draft Law on Citizenship presented to Russian State Duma by President V.Putin does not foresee giving citizenship to the persons residing in the former republics of the USSR and the Baltic Countries only on the basis that the persons were citizens of the former USSR.

Draft Law on Citizenship presented to Russian State Duma by President V.Putin does not foresee giving citizenship to the persons residing in the former republics of the USSR and the Baltic Countries only on the basis that the persons were citizens of the former USSR. Vesti Segodnja

The ruling coalition is ready to give up the agreement with Russia just to cock a snook to non-citizens. Coalition Council of the ruling parties did not support the norm in the agreement foreseeing recalculation of pensions for non-citizens.

The ruling coalition is ready to give up the agreement with Russia just to cock a snook to non-citizens. Coalition Council of the ruling parties did not support the norm in the agreement foreseeing recalculation of pensions for non-citizens. Vesti Segodnja

Russian Government approved federal programme “Russian Language 2002- 2005”, which foresees provision of support to the development of the Russian language in Russia, former Soviet Republics and Baltic States.

Russian Government approved federal programme Russian Language 2002- 2005, which foresees provision of support to the development of the Russian language in Russia, former Soviet Republics and Baltic States. Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

At tomorrow’s extra Saeima’s session the Law on Integration Foundation has to be adopted.

At tomorrows extra Saeimas session the Law on Integration Foundation has to be adopted. Respublika

State Language Centre is going to re-examine Latvian language skills of Daugavpils City mayor R.Eigims. This time State Language Centre director Dz.Hirsha is not sure about Eigims writing skills.

Panorama Latvii