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

The OSCE Summit in Lisbon ended yesterday. President Ulmanis had meetings with several prominent Western political leaders. Italian Prime-Minister Prodi told the President that Italy supported Latvia's integration into the European Union and NATO. When touching upon his country's relations with Russia, Mr. Ulmanis criticized Russia for postponing the settling of border issues with Latvia trying to retain its influence in the region. British Prime-Minister Major during his meeting with the Latvian President said that Great Britain would support opening up NATO to potential new members. The Prime-Minister also pointed at the importance of establishing relations between NATO and Russia and Ukraine and stressed the role of the "Partnership for Peace" Program. The Declaration of the OSCE Summit says that the OSCE "is ready to respond to the challenges of the epoch". These include ethnic problems, aggressive nationalism, violation of the rights of minorities, terrorism, organized crime, uncontrolled migration, etc. The Declaration does not allow any of the OSCE member states to consider any part of the OSCE region as a sphere of its interests. The OSCE Summit agreed on accommodating the Agreement on Conventional Arms in Europe to the current situation.

The OSCE Summit in Lisbon ended yesterday. President Ulmanis had meetings with several prominent Western political leaders. Italian Prime-Minister Prodi told the President that Italy supported Latvia's integration into the European Union and NATO. When touching upon his country's relations with Russia, Mr. Ulmanis criticized Russia for postponing the settling of border issues with Latvia trying to retain its influence in the region. British Prime-Minister Major during his meeting with the Latvian President said that Great Britain would support opening up NATO to potential new members. The Prime-Minister also pointed at the importance of establishing relations between NATO and Russia and Ukraine and stressed the role of the "Partnership for Peace" Program. The Declaration of the OSCE Summit says that the OSCE "is ready to respond to the challenges of the epoch". These include ethnic problems, aggressive nationalism, violation of the rights of minorities, terrorism, organized crime, uncontrolled migration, etc. The Declaration does not allow any of the OSCE member states to consider any part of the OSCE region as a sphere of its interests. The OSCE Summit agreed on accommodating the Agreement on Conventional Arms in Europe to the current situation. Diena, Neatkariga, SM

In a speech delivered at the OSCE Summit President Ulmanis called the recent UN decision on the human rights situation in Latvia and Estonia "a recognition of Latvia's achievements in implementing recommendations received from regional and international organizations". The OSCE should continue focusing on the human dimension, said the President. At the same time, human rights and the rights of national minorities should not be used for attaining political goals. Speaking about co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE, President Ulmanis stressed the role of the OSCE in securing the fulfillment of Latvia's agreements with Russia. He called the expiration of the term of the Skrunda radar provisional operation in 1998 "the first important testing" of the fulfillment of the agreements. Mr. Ulmanis also mentioned the importance of the OSCE involvement in integrating Latvia's society.

In a speech delivered at the OSCE Summit President Ulmanis called the recent UN decision on the human rights situation in Latvia and Estonia "a recognition of Latvia's achievements in implementing recommendations received from regional and international organizations". The OSCE should continue focusing on the human dimension, said the President. At the same time, human rights and the rights of national minorities should not be used for attaining political goals. Speaking about co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE, President Ulmanis stressed the role of the OSCE in securing the fulfillment of Latvia's agreements with Russia. He called the expiration of the term of the Skrunda radar provisional operation in 1998 "the first important testing" of the fulfillment of the agreements. Mr. Ulmanis also mentioned the importance of the OSCE involvement in integrating Latvia's society. Neatkariga

Latvian representative to the UN Aivars Baumanis delivered a report on the minority situation in Latvia at the UN General Assembly. Mr. Baumanis claimed that all Latvia's inhabitants had equal economic rights. According to Baumanis, all residents of Latvia irrespective of their citizenship could own land, companies, or other property. He said that the Latvian legislation gave every individual the right to obtain citizenship, adding that almost half of non-Latvians had already received citizenship.

Latvian representative to the UN Aivars Baumanis delivered a report on the minority situation in Latvia at the UN General Assembly. Mr. Baumanis claimed that all Latvia's inhabitants had equal economic rights. According to Baumanis, all residents of Latvia irrespective of their citizenship could own land, companies, or other property. He said that the Latvian legislation gave every individual the right to obtain citizenship, adding that almost half of non-Latvians had already received citizenship. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" Chairman Maris Grinblats told "SM" that the party would not yield to Prime-Minister Skele's pressure and would continue insisting on referring to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in a border agreement between Latvia and Russia.