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

Latvian environment minister called on foreign minister to simplify Latvian visa acquiring procedures for Russian and CIS states nationals during the next tourism season. Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Vladimirs Makarovs also voiced readiness to develop respective legislative amendments. Makarovs urged Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to hold a meeting with Environment Protection and Regional Development Ministry, tourism industry representatives and state institutions to discuss possibilities to simplify visa procedures.

Latvian environment minister called on foreign minister to simplify Latvian visa acquiring procedures for Russian and CIS states nationals during the next tourism season. Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Vladimirs Makarovs also voiced readiness to develop respective legislative amendments. Makarovs urged Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to hold a meeting with Environment Protection and Regional Development Ministry, tourism industry representatives and state institutions to discuss possibilities to simplify visa procedures. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be off on vacation next week from July 8 to 17, planning to spend some of her time in Finland, reported the President's office. Vike-Freiberga will be on a private visit to Finland between July 13 and 16 upon invitation of Finland's President Tarje Halonen.

Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be off on vacation next week from July 8 to 17, planning to spend some of her time in Finland, reported the President's office. Vike-Freiberga will be on a private visit to Finland between July 13 and 16 upon invitation of Finland's President Tarje Halonen. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Latvia and Ukraine Wednesday agreed on the procedure for application of agreement on co-operation in the area of social security between the two countries. The agreement on the application procedure was signed by Latvian Welfare Ministry and Ukrainian Labour and Social Policy Ministry, Welfare Ministry press office reported.

Latvia and Ukraine Wednesday agreed on the procedure for application of agreement on co-operation in the area of social security between the two countries. The agreement on the application procedure was signed by Latvian Welfare Ministry and Ukrainian Labour and Social Policy Ministry, Welfare Ministry press office reported.

The agreement envisages to ensure that social security rights already acquired and still anticipated by Latvian and Ukrainian nationals are retained while moving in territories of both countries. The agreement also will eliminate double collecting of social insurance payments in both countries. Latvia and Ukraine set out the same rights and obligations in regard to social security system services to nationals of the other country and their families residing permanently or having employment in one of the countries who are moving from one country to the other, as have nationals of own country. The agreement ensures retention of the right to social security allowances and pensions, summing up previously accrued periods, as well as pension export.

The agreement envisages to ensure that social security rights already acquired and still anticipated by Latvian and Ukrainian nationals are retained while moving in territories of both countries. The agreement also will eliminate double collecting of social insurance payments in both countries. Latvia and Ukraine set out the same rights and obligations in regard to social security system services to nationals of the other country and their families residing permanently or having employment in one of the countries who are moving from one country to the other, as have nationals of own country. The agreement ensures retention of the right to social security allowances and pensions, summing up previously accrued periods, as well as pension export. Neatkariga

It is expected that the implementation of the projects included in the Society Integration Programme could be launched in the fall this year, as yesterday the Saeima adopted the Law on Integration Foundation, which is planned to be the main finance administrative body for integration projects.

It is expected that the implementation of the projects included in the Society Integration Programme could be launched in the fall this year, as yesterday the Saeima adopted the Law on Integration Foundation, which is planned to be the main finance administrative body for integration projects. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Yesterday ITAR-TASS deputy general director and moderator of popular TV show “Formula of Power” M.Gusman interviewed Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga. M.Gusman said that the meeting was extremely interesting and our President in his view is smart and feels her communication partners very well. The interview will be aired on Russian TV channel ORT in the beginning of August.

Yesterday ITAR-TASS deputy general director and moderator of popular TV show Formula of Power M.Gusman interviewed Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga. M.Gusman said that the meeting was extremely interesting and our President in his view is smart and feels her communication partners very well. The interview will be aired on Russian TV channel ORT in the beginning of August. Chas

The Latvian Government can re-consider the draft agreement on social security with Russia. Prime Minister comments the position of the ruling parties “the issue is – where to get such amount of funds? The final decision is not taken yet. We are waiting for more accurate calculations and then we are able to define the position of our delegation”. The calculations have to be presented on Monday.

The Latvian Government can re-consider the draft agreement on social security with Russia. Prime Minister comments the position of the ruling parties the issue is – where to get such amount of funds? The final decision is not taken yet. We are waiting for more accurate calculations and then we are able to define the position of our delegation. The calculations have to be presented on Monday. Vesti Segodnja

Daugavpils City Council Mayor R.Eigims is ready for the examination of his state language skills, the test will take place on 13 July. The inspectors of the State Language Centre will examine mayor’s writing skills.

Daugavpils City Council Mayor R.Eigims is ready for the examination of his state language skills, the test will take place on 13 July. The inspectors of the State Language Centre will examine mayors writing skills. Vesti Segodnja

“I am improving my language skills all the time and am going to continue as long as it takes”, said R.Eigims. He is sure that he will pass the exam on 13 July. The language inspectors evaluated mayor’s language skills to be on the third level. In the last examination it was established that Eigim’s speaking ability corresponds to the third category, degree A, however, the inspectors found different grammar mistakes and sometimes confusion of words, but, according to their opinion, it does not disturb communication. Also his reading skills correspond to the third level. The mayor is able to read and comprehend texts of different content and degree of difficulty.

I am improving my language skills all the time and am going to continue as long as it takes, said R.Eigims. He is sure that he will pass the exam on 13 July. The language inspectors evaluated mayors language skills to be on the third level. In the last examination it was established that Eigims speaking ability corresponds to the third category, degree A, however, the inspectors found different grammar mistakes and sometimes confusion of words, but, according to their opinion, it does not disturb communication. Also his reading skills correspond to the third level. The mayor is able to read and comprehend texts of different content and degree of difficulty. Respublika

Panorama Latvii writes about Daugavpils’ resident who filed a claim with the European Court of Human Rights. Below is a full translation of the article:

Panorama Latvii writes about Daugavpils resident who filed a claim with the European Court of Human Rights. Below is a full translation of the article:

“The unemployed I.Vasilevsky who filed a claim with the court against the President and Latvian Parliament, now has launched a battle with the whole country. Couple years ago the name of Daugavpils’ resident I.Vasilevsky became well known in the whole country. And it could not be otherwise, as he started the fight with the President of that time G.Ulmanis and the Saeima, because I.Vasilevsky considered that the State Language Law violated his rights. As he did not held a certificate verifying his Latvian language skills he lost his job. “It is unfair!”, - he announced and filed a claim with the court. The servants of Justice did not agree with I. Vasilevsky, however, the refusal did not stop Vasilevsky. In these days the European Court of Human Rights accepted for the revision the case of I.Vasilevsky. “I am disputing the norm which denies non-citizens the rights to participate at municipal election”, explains Igors basing his claim on particular norms of the Constitution, Independence Declaration and Declaration on Human Rights. We talked with I.Vasilevsky and have an impression that he truly believes that one individual claim filed with the European Court of Human Rights can solve problems of hundred thousand our compatriots deprived the rights to vote and run for elections. “Afterwards I will look into Pension Law, which also discriminates the rights of non-citizens”. He himself worked for a long time outside the territory of Latvia and in result his pension amounts to LVL 33. Igor disputed this injustice at several courts, and now his appeal is at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia. Probably, some of our readers will look at the undertakings of Vasilevsky with big scepticism – like, anyway he will not succeed. From my party, I just want to remind that nothing can change if nothing is done. And who knows, maybe others will follow his example”.

The unemployed I.Vasilevsky who filed a claim with the court against the President and Latvian Parliament, now has launched a battle with the whole country. Couple years ago the name of Daugavpils resident I.Vasilevsky became well known in the whole country. And it could not be otherwise, as he started the fight with the President of that time G.Ulmanis and the Saeima, because I.Vasilevsky considered that the State Language Law violated his rights. As he did not held a certificate verifying his Latvian language skills he lost his job. It is unfair!, - he announced and filed a claim with the court. The servants of Justice did not agree with I. Vasilevsky, however, the refusal did not stop Vasilevsky. In these days the European Court of Human Rights accepted for the revision the case of I.Vasilevsky. I am disputing the norm which denies non-citizens the rights to participate at municipal election, explains Igors basing his claim on particular norms of the Constitution, Independence Declaration and Declaration on Human Rights. We talked with I.Vasilevsky and have an impression that he truly believes that one individual claim filed with the European Court of Human Rights can solve problems of hundred thousand our compatriots deprived the rights to vote and run for elections. Afterwards I will look into Pension Law, which also discriminates the rights of non-citizens. He himself worked for a long time outside the territory of Latvia and in result his pension amounts to LVL 33. Igor disputed this injustice at several courts, and now his appeal is at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia. Probably, some of our readers will look at the undertakings of Vasilevsky with big scepticism – like, anyway he will not succeed. From my party, I just want to remind that nothing can change if nothing is done. And who knows, maybe others will follow his example.

Yesterday the Law on Detective’s Profession, which provides for that only citizens of Latvia can receive licenses to work as detectives.

Yesterday the Law on Detectives Profession, which provides for that only citizens of Latvia can receive licenses to work as detectives. Delfi