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.

• Interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis
• Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposes to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow
• Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga talks about Latvian Russian relations and societal integration in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports on a meeting of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins and the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina: the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year

29 December

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis. The Minister states that the top priorities of his work is ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National minorities as well as development of civil society and regional integration. Ainars Latkovskis believes that the Framework Convention could be ratified in the Saeimas spring session. When asked to comment on the issues concerning non-citizens, the Minister says that a difficult economic situation and high rate of unemployment in Latgale region (eastern part of Latvia) are the main reasons for the large number of non-citizens and Russian citizens in this region. The Minister argues that people do not naturalise because they lack patriotism towards Latvia, but because there is a need to search for job in Russia a job.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow: a day after the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, argues that the border agreement should be signed before this date and stresses that Latvia can do it right now.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed to sign a border agreement with Latvia on 10 May 2005 in Moscow: a day after the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, argues that the border agreement should be signed before this date and stresses that Latvia can do it right now. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga about Latvian Russian relations and societal integration in Latvia. The President believes that before ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Latvia should develop a minority definition, which would comply with the Constitution of Latvia and other domestic legal norms and international obligations as well. Vaira Vike-Freiberga is convinced that several reservations should be introduced. When asked about Latvian Russian relations, the President states that a proposal of Russia to sign the border agreement with Russia in the planned celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow is not acceptable for Latvia.

Latvijas Avize reports on the meeting of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins and the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij. Among several topics officials discussed the implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia.

 

30 December

Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina stated that the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year, because no extra funding has been allotted for the Naturalisation Board in 2005 although the number of naturalisation applications has significantly increased.

Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina stated that the Naturalisation Board may face financial difficulties next year, because no extra funding has been allotted for the Naturalisation Board in 2005 although the number of naturalisation applications has significantly increased. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf