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.

• EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior reviews the draft project on granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas
• Government doubles the budget of the State Language Centre
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia and the representatives of Russian NGOs discussed possible support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia

Today, the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior of will review the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime which would stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas. Yesterday, the draft project was discussed at the meeting of the Saeima European Affairs Committee. The director of the European Affairs and International Cooperation Department Tija Rinmane has stated that the visa regime for non-citizens might be cancelled in the beginning of 2007.

Today, the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior of will review the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime which would stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas. Yesterday, the draft project was discussed at the meeting of the Saeima European Affairs Committee. The director of the European Affairs and International Cooperation Department Tija Rinmane has stated that the visa regime for non-citizens might be cancelled in the beginning of 2007. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Neatkariga

The annual funding of the State Language Centre will increase by LVL 100,000 (EUR 157,000) in 2007 and the total funding will amount to LVL 223,000 (EUR 317,300). The Director of the Centre Agris Timuska is satisfied with the government’s decision lobbied by the new Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM). The main share of the budget will be spent on salaries of the existing staff and hiring new state language inspectors. The Director of the State Language Centre states that next year the main focus will be on use of language in public sphere and service area “If a private employer does not require his/her employees to know the state language, we should address the situation.”  Most likely the Centre will propose amendments to effective legal norms.

The annual funding of the State Language Centre will increase by LVL 100,000 (EUR 157,000) in 2007 and the total funding will amount to LVL 223,000 (EUR 317,300). The Director of the Centre Agris Timuska is satisfied with the governments decision lobbied by the new Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM). The main share of the budget will be spent on salaries of the existing staff and hiring new state language inspectors. The Director of the State Language Centre states that next year the main focus will be on use of language in public sphere and service area If a private employer does not require his/her employees to know the state language, we should address the situation. Most likely the Centre will propose amendments to effective legal norms. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny and representatives of various Russian NGOs have held a round table discussion on support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia.

Yesterday, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny and representatives of various Russian NGOs have held a round table discussion on support for Russian residents of Latvia by Russia. Chas