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 Democratic Party Saimnieks and the Latvian Farmers Union named their candidates for the ministerial offices. They are Ziedonis Cevers for the post of the Minister of the Interior, Juris Celmins - Minister of Education, Atis Sausnitis - Minister of Economics, and Andris Ravins for the post of the Minister of Agriculture. “

The Democratic Party Saimnieks and the Latvian Farmers Union named their candidates for the ministerial offices. They are Ziedonis Cevers for the post of the Minister of the Interior, Juris Celmins - Minister of Education, Atis Sausnitis - Minister of Economics, and Andris Ravins for the post of the Minister of Agriculture. Latvijas Cels gave up the request for the post of the Minister of Defense. Guntars Krasts announced that there would not be a post for the special Minister for European Affairs in the new government. Besides, Mr. Krasts told that he would ask all candidates to certify that they do not have a conflict of interests that would repeat the situation with the Anti-Corruption Law. Diena

On Tuesday Valery Nesterushkin, Representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists that Moscow hoped that a new Latvian government would continue to express an interest toward the development of good neighbourly relations with Russia. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take into consideration the criticism from international, Russian and Latvian experts regarding the situation with the Russian-speaking population in Latvia.

On Tuesday Valery Nesterushkin, Representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists that Moscow hoped that a new Latvian government would continue to express an interest toward the development of good neighbourly relations with Russia. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take into consideration the criticism from international, Russian and Latvian experts regarding the situation with the Russian-speaking population in Latvia. Diena

On Tuesday the MFA started discussing the analysis of the European Commission report. As Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists, the MFA completed work on a program for co-operation with the European Commission and the members of the European Union, and the recommendations to other ministries and state institutions for the speeding up of the integration process. Besides, the MFA has worked out a separate program that stresses the necessity to aim all official visits abroad at the integration into the EU. It will also make sure that all reports from Latvia to the EU will be not only received but also used in official documents. The MFA will repeat its request to the Cabinet to open Latvian diplomatic representatives in Ireland, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands.

On Tuesday the MFA started discussing the analysis of the European Commission report. As Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists, the MFA completed work on a program for co-operation with the European Commission and the members of the European Union, and the recommendations to other ministries and state institutions for the speeding up of the integration process. Besides, the MFA has worked out a separate program that stresses the necessity to aim all official visits abroad at the integration into the EU. It will also make sure that all reports from Latvia to the EU will be not only received but also used in official documents. The MFA will repeat its request to the Cabinet to open Latvian diplomatic representatives in Ireland, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands. Diena

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received a note from the MFA of the Russian Federation, in which it states that Russia recognizes Latvian non-citizen passports as valid documents for entrance into the Russian Federation. This agreement was reached during the consular consultations between both countries on June 1 and 2. The agreement comes into the force within 30 days from the signing date.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received a note from the MFA of the Russian Federation, in which it states that Russia recognizes Latvian non-citizen passports as valid documents for entrance into the Russian Federation. This agreement was reached during the consular consultations between both countries on June 1 and 2. The agreement comes into the force within 30 days from the signing date. Diena

According to the inter-governmental agreement on regulations of migration process signed by Latvia and Russia in 1993, the Representation of the Immigration Department of the Russian Federation is being opened in Riga today. Its task will be to inform people about the necessary documentation and to regulate the migration process.

According to the inter-governmental agreement on regulations of migration process signed by Latvia and Russia in 1993, the Representation of the Immigration Department of the Russian Federation is being opened in Riga today. Its task will be to inform people about the necessary documentation and to regulate the migration process. Neatkariga

Oleg Shorin in an article for “SM” notes that the non-citizen passport holders legally are “nothing” in Russia, since the Russian Federation recognizes those passports only as travel documents, not as identification documents. While in Russia, these people might be denied legal and financial help. According to Shorin, the solution could have been to allow non-citizens to keep their old former USSR passports for the use in Russia. He regrets that the Russian side has agreed to Latvian decision on withdrawal of old passports. SM

Oleg Shorin in an article for SM notes that the non-citizen passport holders legally are nothing in Russia, since the Russian Federation recognizes those passports only as travel documents, not as identification documents. While in Russia, these people might be denied legal and financial help. According to Shorin, the solution could have been to allow non-citizens to keep their old former USSR passports for the use in Russia. He regrets that the Russian side has agreed to Latvian decision on withdrawal of old passports. SM