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

Although the State President G. Ulmanis officially admitted that the declaration of the 16th of March as the Latvian Soldiers’ Commemoration Day was his and the parliament’s mistake, he will not call the parliament to annul the decree.

Although the State President G. Ulmanis officially admitted that the declaration of the 16th of March as the Latvian Soldiers Commemoration Day was his and the parliaments mistake, he will not call the parliament to annul the decree. Diena, Neatkariga

Deputy Director of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Uldis Dzenitis and the Deputy Chief of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believe that on the 16th of March the members of the extreme organisations which are not registered in Latvia, will attempt to provoke conflict situations. Both officials assured that the security services have enough time to be sufficiently prepared to prevent illegal activities or the provocation.

Deputy Director of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Uldis Dzenitis and the Deputy Chief of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believe that on the 16th of March the members of the extreme organisations which are not registered in Latvia, will attempt to provoke conflict situations. Both officials assured that the security services have enough time to be sufficiently prepared to prevent illegal activities or the provocation. Rigas Balss

The State President believes that Russia, inviting Latvia to discuss only social and humanitarian issues, continues “improper diplomatic practice” in relation with Latvia. According to Mr. Ulmanis, Russia over--emphasises some issues and does not want to discuss others. The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs questions Russia’s readiness to resume the dialogue, since it wants to discuss only the humanitarian issues.

The State President believes that Russia, inviting Latvia to discuss only social and humanitarian issues, continues improper diplomatic practice in relation with Latvia. According to Mr. Ulmanis, Russia over--emphasises some issues and does not want to discuss others. The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs questions Russias readiness to resume the dialogue, since it wants to discuss only the humanitarian issues. Neatkariga

In order to inform the public about the draft social integration program, promote the discussion and summarise the opinions, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans is presenting the prepared draft framework document for the social integration program today. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to allocate financing for the organising the public discussion of the program. The estimated expenses are 69, 391 Lats.

In order to inform the public about the draft social integration program, promote the discussion and summarise the opinions, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans is presenting the prepared draft framework document for the social integration program today. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to allocate financing for the organising the public discussion of the program. The estimated expenses are 69, 391 Lats. Neatkariga

Dienapublishes the summarised version of this framework document. The document states that the basis for the social integration is the loyalty to the Latvian state, the command of the Latvian language, common values, the consciousness that each individuals future and the personal well-being are closely tied to the future, stability and security of Latvia. The framework document acknowledges that the bilingual education and the civic education play the important role in the promotion of the successful integration process. Acnowledging the importance of the unified national information policy, the framework document calls for creating series of the broadcasts on the social integration, paying special attention to the language instruction programs, promoting advertising of the cultural, art and sports events as the society unifying element. Regarding the citizenship and naturalisation issues, the document emphasises the raising the prestige of the Latvian citizenship and informing the public about the naturalisation. Diena

As the Latvian Attaché of Education and Science Ministry in Brussels Nils Saks told

As the Latvian Attaché of Education and Science Ministry in Brussels Nils Saks told Diena, in the education sphere there is only one directive of the EU that Latvia should observe, namely, about the education of the migrants children, providing every EU citizen and (or) his/her children with the right to education in any other EU country. Such a provision has already been included in the adopted Education Law. At the legislation screening meeting on Monday the EC representatives have expressed the content with the Latvias achievements.