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

A public opinion poll on the most important preconditions for receiving Latvian citizenship, organised by the firm “Latvijas Fakti”, shows that factor No 1, according to the respondents, is the knowledge of the Latvian language - 41.4%. The second most important factor is loyalty and faithfulness to the Latvian state - 30.5% and the third - being born in Latvia - 18.4%.

A public opinion poll on the most important preconditions for receiving Latvian citizenship, organised by the firm Latvijas Fakti, shows that factor No 1, according to the respondents, is the knowledge of the Latvian language - 41.4%. The second most important factor is loyalty and faithfulness to the Latvian state - 30.5% and the third - being born in Latvia - 18.4%. Neatkariga

To continue collection of information about Latvia, two deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have arrived to Latvia. They plan to meet with top state officials, to discuss harmonising of Latvian legislation to EU normative acts, amendments to the Law on Citizenship, public integration program, After the first visit they did not express their opinion openly, and no written report followed. Short after their visit there was information that the deputies proposed a plan for solving human rights problems in Latvia that satisfied also Russia, but these proposals did not reach Latvia.

To continue collection of information about Latvia, two deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have arrived to Latvia. They plan to meet with top state officials, to discuss harmonising of Latvian legislation to EU normative acts, amendments to the Law on Citizenship, public integration program, After the first visit they did not express their opinion openly, and no written report followed. Short after their visit there was information that the deputies proposed a plan for solving human rights problems in Latvia that satisfied also Russia, but these proposals did not reach Latvia. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, SM,

Yesterday was the deadline for the Saeima deputies and factions to submit their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship to consider them in the third reading.

Yesterday was the deadline for the Saeima deputies and factions to submit their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship to consider them in the third reading. DP Saimnieks managed to collect the necessary 34 signatures of deputies to summon an extraordinary Saeima meeting on June 22 to consider these amendments before the Saeima goes on vacation. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

EC considers that it would be good if the Saeima adopted the amendments to the Law on CitizenshipLaw on Citizenship till this autumn. This is one of the most important aspects that are planned to be included in the report on progress in Latvia. It was told to

EC considers that it would be good if the Saeima adopted the amendments to the Law on CitizenshipLaw on Citizenship till this autumn. This is one of the most important aspects that are planned to be included in the report on progress in Latvia. It was told to Diena by some EC official. EC has planned to prepare a report on progress in the candidate states till the end of November. Basing on this report, a decision could be taken to invite some candidate state from the second group to the first one. Diena

Diena

correspondent N.Locmele writes the situation concerning granting citizenship to the children of non-citizens. According to the data of public opinion poll, organised by the Baltic Data House, 82% of citizens and 95% of non-citizens think that at first Latvian citizenship should be granted to the children born in Latvia. Political balance in the Saeima allows to adopt these amendments. And the author analyses the position of major Saeima factions.

Diena

publishes one more article on Valka - Valga problem describing difficulties local authorities and people have to face due to unsolved legal issues. publishes one more article on Valka - Valga problem describing difficulties local authorities and people have to face due to unsolved legal issues. Naturalisation in Latvia is very similar to admitting to the CPSU during Soviet times. This is an opinion of A.Gilman in

Naturalisation in Latvia is very similar to admitting to the CPSU during Soviet times. This is an opinion of A.Gilman in SM. When speaking about the collapse of the USSR, the author finds Communists to be guilty for it, but in Latvia, those are citizens who destroy the country. SM

Psychologist A.Dombrovskiy writes about psychological aspect of naturalisation and finds it a purely individual problem. Every non-citizen has to decide whether he or she wants to become a citizen of Latvia. And all the fuss about citizenship is just a game that is politically or economically profitable for concrete persons.

Psychologist A.Dombrovskiy writes about psychological aspect of naturalisation and finds it a purely individual problem. Every non-citizen has to decide whether he or she wants to become a citizen of Latvia. And all the fuss about citizenship is just a game that is politically or economically profitable for concrete persons. SM

SM

interviews the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs M.Riekstins. The main topic of this interview is Latvian - Lithuanian sea border dispute and the new Latvian proposal to renew the talks. When speaking about the situation in Lithuania, M.Riekstins also mentiones the new position of Russia. It led them to discuss Latvian - Russian relations. Answering to the question on non-citizens in Latvia, the State secretary said that the situation in Latvia was much better than the one in the republics of Central Asia, but Russia even did not mention them. Now it was Latvia turn to receive Russian reproaches, threats and accuses. Estonia and Lithuania had already received their share. When asked if adoption of amendments to the Law on Citizenship could improve relations with Russia, M.Riekstins answered that he did not see any obstacles for improvement of relations, but it was possible that Russia could put forward new demands. In this situation, Latvia would have support from the West. interviews the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs M.Riekstins. The main topic of this interview is Latvian - Lithuanian sea border dispute and the new Latvian proposal to renew the talks. When speaking about the situation in Lithuania, M.Riekstins also mentiones the new position of Russia. It led them to discuss Latvian - Russian relations. Answering to the question on non-citizens in Latvia, the State secretary said that the situation in Latvia was much better than the one in the republics of Central Asia, but Russia even did not mention them. Now it was Latvia turn to receive Russian reproaches, threats and accuses. Estonia and Lithuania had already received their share. When asked if adoption of amendments to the Law on Citizenship could improve relations with Russia, M.Riekstins answered that he did not see any obstacles for improvement of relations, but it was possible that Russia could put forward new demands. In this situation, Latvia would have support from the West.