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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

Lithuanian PM Algirdas Brazauskas, Latvian PM Andris Berzins and Estonian PM Siim Kallas are to meet British PM Tony Blair on March 14. The four-way meeting will likely see discussion of EU and NATO expansion and Russian relations.

Lithuanian PM Algirdas Brazauskas, Latvian PM Andris Berzins and Estonian PM Siim Kallas are to meet British PM Tony Blair on March 14. The four-way meeting will likely see discussion of EU and NATO expansion and Russian relations. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

After Latvia enters NATO Latvian-Russian relations will improve radically, deputy commander of the National Armed Forces, Admiral Gaidis Andrejs Zeibots, says in an interview to the newspaper

After Latvia enters NATO Latvian-Russian relations will improve radically, deputy commander of the National Armed Forces, Admiral Gaidis Andrejs Zeibots, says in an interview to the newspaper Vesti Segodna. Zeibots is confident that "unhealthy ambitions" will disappear, as Russia will start to treat Latvia with respect. The admiral draws the example of Poland, its relations with Russia changed considerably after it entered the alliance. In commenting on NATO's requirements for candidate countries, Zeibots says that they do not concern national defense matters - NATO asks that Latvia observes human rights, fights corruption and suchlike.

In opening the conference “Latvia and France: Partners and Allies in Europe" in Riga on Friday, both Latvian and French representatives stressed the necessity of observing the principle of equality among the EU countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Parliamentary Secretary Peteris Elferts pointed out that it would be important for Latvia, in joining EU, that small and large countries, old and new ones - have equal rights. French Ambassador to Latvia Louise Avon called for creation of a free and democratic new Europe since these principles are important for all European countries. In her view, if common rights are observed in Europe, EU will become a powerful force that will defend the rights of member nations on their own territories and globally. The president of the Robert Schuman Foundation Jean-Dominique Giuliani agreed with the comments made by the previous speakers, pointing out that all EU member and applicant states have joint goals and values - democracy and freedom.

In opening the conference Latvia and France: Partners and Allies in Europe" in Riga on Friday, both Latvian and French representatives stressed the necessity of observing the principle of equality among the EU countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Parliamentary Secretary Peteris Elferts pointed out that it would be important for Latvia, in joining EU, that small and large countries, old and new ones - have equal rights. French Ambassador to Latvia Louise Avon called for creation of a free and democratic new Europe since these principles are important for all European countries. In her view, if common rights are observed in Europe, EU will become a powerful force that will defend the rights of member nations on their own territories and globally. The president of the Robert Schuman Foundation Jean-Dominique Giuliani agreed with the comments made by the previous speakers, pointing out that all EU member and applicant states have joint goals and values - democracy and freedom. Vesti Segodnja emphasizes that the observance of the rights of national minorities in Latviawas one of the main discussion subjects.

Chas

provides its comments on the press conference organized by the Naturalization Board for Russian mass media in Latvia about the course and results of Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper writes that journalists agreed that this campaign caused irritation and that the program itself was developed by God knows who, God knows for whom and, the most important, without any involvement of the people-to-be-integrated. provides its comments on the press conference organized by the Naturalization Board for Russian mass media in Latvia about the course and results of Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper writes that journalists agreed that this campaign caused irritation and that the program itself was developed by “God knows who, God knows for whom and, the most important, without any involvement of the people-to-be-integrated”.

Vecernaya Riga

comments the press conference as friendly and constructive. comments the press conference as “friendly and constructive”.