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

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele met with leaders of the factions constituting the Government to discuss the solution to the governmental crisis. According to the plan proposed by Mr. Skele, factions should submit candidates for the vacant ministerial offices for the Prime-Minister’s approval by August 4. The Prime-Minister also proposed to convene the Saeima on August 6 to give new ministers a vote of confidence. The Prime-Minister noted that at the meeting none of the leaders mentioned the resignation of the Cabinet. With regard to the resolution of the European Commission on new candidates to the EU, the Prime-Minister suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Commission in the Saeima within 10 days present a plan which by December would improve the work of foreign affairs departments and the Latvian diplomatic corps. The Minister for European Affairs should present a plan how to speed up Latvia’s preparation for integration into the EU. President Ulmanis thinks that the Government under the leadership of Mr. Skele should continue its work until the next elections of the Saeima.

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele met with leaders of the factions constituting the Government to discuss the solution to the governmental crisis. According to the plan proposed by Mr. Skele, factions should submit candidates for the vacant ministerial offices for the Prime-Ministers approval by August 4. The Prime-Minister also proposed to convene the Saeima on August 6 to give new ministers a vote of confidence. The Prime-Minister noted that at the meeting none of the leaders mentioned the resignation of the Cabinet. With regard to the resolution of the European Commission on new candidates to the EU, the Prime-Minister suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Commission in the Saeima within 10 days present a plan which by December would improve the work of foreign affairs departments and the Latvian diplomatic corps. The Minister for European Affairs should present a plan how to speed up Latvias preparation for integration into the EU. President Ulmanis thinks that the Government under the leadership of Mr. Skele should continue its work until the next elections of the Saeima. Diena

“SM” has published an interview with Janis Jaudzems, Advisor to the Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Department. He commented on the dismissal of Ms. Ermansone, Director of the CID of the Ziemelu District in Riga. The CID received many complaints not only from non-citizens but also from citizens about Ms. Ermansone’s activities. As an example Mr. Jaudzems mentioned a case when a woman was forced to renounce her Latvian citizenship that, in Ms. Ermansone’s opinion, was acquired in an illegal way. He also noted that Ms. Ermansone had been rude to visitors and had taken fees for issuing documents that were supposed to be free of charge. Referring to amendments in laws on citizens and non-citizens in Latvia, Mr. Jaudzems told that the CID had prepared amendments to three laws: on Entry and Stay of Foreigners, on Status of Former USSR Citizens, and on Citizenship. The amendment that stated that a person who at the moment of departure from Latvia had received financial help from Latvia or any other country cannot return to Latvia for permanent residency, was passed by the Saeima. Other proposals, such as the amendment that would allow to prolong the stay of elderly relatives from other countries, and the amendment that would simplify the system of “naturalization windows”, were put on hold. The CID had also proposed to eliminate the provision of mandatory permanent

SM has published an interview with Janis Jaudzems, Advisor to the Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Department. He commented on the dismissal of Ms. Ermansone, Director of the CID of the Ziemelu District in Riga. The CID received many complaints not only from non-citizens but also from citizens about Ms. Ermansones activities. As an example Mr. Jaudzems mentioned a case when a woman was forced to renounce her Latvian citizenship that, in Ms. Ermansones opinion, was acquired in an illegal way. He also noted that Ms. Ermansone had been rude to visitors and had taken fees for issuing documents that were supposed to be free of charge. Referring to amendments in laws on citizens and non-citizens in Latvia, Mr. Jaudzems told that the CID had prepared amendments to three laws: on Entry and Stay of Foreigners, on Status of Former USSR Citizens, and on Citizenship. The amendment that stated that a person who at the moment of departure from Latvia had received financial help from Latvia or any other country cannot return to Latvia for permanent residency, was passed by the Saeima. Other proposals, such as the amendment that would allow to prolong the stay of elderly relatives from other countries, and the amendment that would simplify the system of naturalization windows, were put on hold. The CID had also proposed to eliminate the provision of mandatory permanent propiska from the Law on Non-Citizens. According to Jaudzems, this could be possible after all inhabitants would have either citizen or non-citizen passports, and former USSR passports would be out of circulation. SM