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

The State Language Training Program in co-operation with the UNDP has opened a regional office of the Latvian Language Training Program in Liepaja. A similar office was opened in Daugavpils in September last year. As the Director of the State Language Training Program Aija Priedite told

The State Language Training Program in co-operation with the UNDP has opened a regional office of the Latvian Language Training Program in Liepaja. A similar office was opened in Daugavpils in September last year. As the Director of the State Language Training Program Aija Priedite told Jauna Avize, in Liepaja where are many teachers of Latvian as the second language there was a great needed for the place where to hold the methodological seminars, to have a library.

The Estonian parliament has adopted the amendments to the Language Law providing for the state language proficiency requirements for the employees of the institutions and enterprises which deal with the distribution of goods and services. The Amendments still need to be promulgated by the State President, and it is planned that they will come into force on 1 July. The amendments also provide that the foreign specialists or experts who have stayed in Estonia on the grounds of the work permit, more than a year, should know the Estonian language.

The Estonian parliament has adopted the amendments to the Language Law providing for the state language proficiency requirements for the employees of the institutions and enterprises which deal with the distribution of goods and services. The Amendments still need to be promulgated by the State President, and it is planned that they will come into force on 1 July. The amendments also provide that the foreign specialists or experts who have stayed in Estonia on the grounds of the work permit, more than a year, should know the Estonian language. Diena

In order to avoid possible incidents, the Cabinet of Ministers has planned to discuss how to commemorate the 16th of March this year, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told journalists.

In order to avoid possible incidents, the Cabinet of Ministers has planned to discuss how to commemorate the 16th of March this year, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told journalists. Diena

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs, the Russia’s reaction to the changes in the sphere of the Latvian citizenship, is not adequate. The Minister stressed that for improvement of the Latvian-Russian relations, certain steps should made, for example, the work of the intergovernmental commission should be resumed, the agreements signed, the economic sanctions lifted. Besides, Latvia cannot accept reprimands concerning the violation of the international standards, since the Russia’s opinion differs from the position of Latvia and of the international organisations.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs, the Russias reaction to the changes in the sphere of the Latvian citizenship, is not adequate. The Minister stressed that for improvement of the Latvian-Russian relations, certain steps should made, for example, the work of the intergovernmental commission should be resumed, the agreements signed, the economic sanctions lifted. Besides, Latvia cannot accept reprimands concerning the violation of the international standards, since the Russias opinion differs from the position of Latvia and of the international organisations. Diena

The Program on the Social Integration of Latvia was discussed at the first meeting of the Consultative Council of Nationalities at the State President’s Office. The chapter on the education was criticised by Boris Tsilevich (

The Program on the Social Integration of Latvia was discussed at the first meeting of the Consultative Council of Nationalities at the State Presidents Office. The chapter on the education was criticised by Boris Tsilevich (For the Human Rights) who believes that the chapter is directed towards the gradual assimilation. B&B writes the some participants of the meeting felt that the State President was not fully informed about the opinion of the OSCE concerning the program, the Education Law and the State Language law.

SM publishes a story about the Riga Secondary School No 46 where the State Language Inspectorate found that 23 teachers held false state language certificates.

Dienain Russian interviews the State Secretary of the Latvian MFA Maris Riekstins who visited Moscow last week. According to Maris Riekstins, both sides agreed to resume the dialogue which was discontinued last year. As a positive moment of the visit Mr. Riekstins mentions the obtained authentic information about the Russias position, its arguments and perspective on the future relationship with Latvia. Mr. Riekstins regrets that the discussion about some issues, mainly of the humanitarian sphere, was not of the constructive nature since the Russias position differs from the position of Latvia and of international organisations.

Former leaders of the Democratic Party

Former leaders of the Democratic Party Saimnieks and the MP s of the 6th Saeima Ziedonis Cevers has become the Advisor of the State President on Security and Integration issues. Diena