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 total number of Latvian population continues to decrease. This is the information from the Central Statistics Board. Last quarter there resided about 2 434 500 people in Latvia, it is 0.2% less than in the first quarter of this year.

The total number of Latvian population continues to decrease. This is the information from the Central Statistics Board. Last quarter there resided about 2 434 500 people in Latvia, it is 0.2% less than in the first quarter of this year. Neatkariga

The Cabinet of Ministers considered the planned amendments to the budget law and did not introduce any major changes, even the proposal to soften the pensions law. The only increase of expenditures is planned for the Ministry of Defence - 350 000 Ls for ensuring international peacekeeping activities.

The Cabinet of Ministers considered the planned amendments to the budget law and did not introduce any major changes, even the proposal to soften the pensions law. The only increase of expenditures is planned for the Ministry of Defence - 350 000 Ls for ensuring international peacekeeping activities. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya,

A.Yelkin in

A.Yelkin in SM writes that in accordance with the Article 71 of the Constitution not less than 34 deputies may address the President with a request not to announce the adopted law. The Saeima factions of For Human Rights in United Latvia, New Party and Social Democrats have 38 voices, and blocking of the new pensions law is quite likely. The next step for the deputies is to collect 10 000 signatures to propose a referendum. A.Yelkin considers that such a referendum will take place. SM

Latvia Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his yesterday press conference told that Latvia had five priorities in her co-operation with Russia - to continue preparation of agreements, propose dialogues with different officials, further contacts among state enterprises and institutions, to co-operate in the framework of international organisations as well as to develop regional co-operation. Concerning the cancelled visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia, Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss during his recent visit to Riga admitted that it could be organised at the end of August of begging of September, but the official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmaninov announced yesterday that the MFA Information and Press Department did not have such information, but pointed out that the visit would surely take place. The same statement was made by Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov during his meeting with I.Berzins.

Latvia Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his yesterday press conference told that Latvia had five priorities in her co-operation with Russia - to continue preparation of agreements, propose dialogues with different officials, further contacts among state enterprises and institutions, to co-operate in the framework of international organisations as well as to develop regional co-operation. Concerning the cancelled visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia, Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss during his recent visit to Riga admitted that it could be organised at the end of August of begging of September, but the official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmaninov announced yesterday that the MFA Information and Press Department did not have such information, but pointed out that the visit would surely take place. The same statement was made by Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov during his meeting with I.Berzins. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas,

Russian Embassy has sent a note to the Latvian MFA about the fact of defiling Ivan cemetery with a request to punish the guilty. According to the LETA information the missing graveyard plates had not been stolen but just taken for restoration.

Russian Embassy has sent a note to the Latvian MFA about the fact of defiling Ivan cemetery with a request to punish the guilty. According to the LETA information the missing graveyard plates had not been stolen but just taken for restoration. Neatkariga

Journalists from Russian speaking newspaper

Journalists from Russian speaking newspaper Chas have traced the firm which undertook restoration and verified that all the plates were there.

Estonian government adopted stricter norms for of the Estonian language knowledge for persons employed in public sector but these demands, with small exceptions, were not applied for private businesses although the law took effect on July 1. These norms were the issue of major concern of the OSCE representatives and Russian speaking population. The postponement was necessary to harmonise the regulations with EU legislation. Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs considers that Estonian policy concerning national minorities corresponds to OSCE and EU principles.

Diena