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 Review

Press Review

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans. Diena

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation.

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation. Diena

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange).Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions.

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions. Diena