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 Report

Saeima’s Standing Committee on Human Rights has developed several proposals for the State Language Law. The committee suggests that “public events” are defined as events where the organizers have not determined any restrictions for participation. Also, the committee wants the law to allow for using another language along with Latvian to be used in public information and in letterheads of institutions, companies and NGOs.

Saeimas Standing Committee on Human Rights has developed several proposals for the State Language Law. The committee suggests that public events are defined as events where the organizers have not determined any restrictions for participation. Also, the committee wants the law to allow for using another language along with Latvian to be used in public information and in letterheads of institutions, companies and NGOs. Jauna Avize, Diena

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on her acquaintance visit in Brussels met the top EU and NATO officials and heard praises regarding Latvia’s development and the further participation in these organizations. Her visit to NATO headquarters was an unprecedented case for a Latvian leader.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on her acquaintance visit in Brussels met the top EU and NATO officials and heard praises regarding Latvias development and the further participation in these organizations. Her visit to NATO headquarters was an unprecedented case for a Latvian leader. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

All papers write about the developments in the Latvian Embassy to Russia off-shore bank scandal after the news report of the Russian NTV company this Monday.

All papers write about the developments in the Latvian Embassy to Russia off-shore bank scandal after the news report of the Russian NTV company this Monday.

Russia’s tax police announced that it has found and stopped activities of an illegal off-shore bank Mosprom in the hotel Talava on the territory of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. Latvian Foreign Ministry denies the activities of any commercial institutions on the territory of the embassy. Yesterday, Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins requested an explanation from advisor to the Russian ambassador to Latvia. After Berzins, the Russian embassy could not confirm the information released by mass media.

Russias tax police announced that it has found and stopped activities of an illegal off-shore bank Mosprom in the hotel Talava on the territory of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. Latvian Foreign Ministry denies the activities of any commercial institutions on the territory of the embassy. Yesterday, Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins requested an explanation from advisor to the Russian ambassador to Latvia. After Berzins, the Russian embassy could not confirm the information released by mass media. Diena, Jauna Avize, Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas, BB

Yesterday, Naturalization Board and Riga City Council held a celebration event to mark granting of citizenship through naturalization to the 20,000 person. Press Secretary of the Board said that currently the naturalization procedure takes 4 to 6 months but it was possible to make it faster by allotting more funding and increasing the staff.

Yesterday, Naturalization Board and Riga City Council held a celebration event to mark granting of citizenship through naturalization to the 20,000 person. Press Secretary of the Board said that currently the naturalization procedure takes 4 to 6 months but it was possible to make it faster by allotting more funding and increasing the staff. Panorama Latvii, Chas, Jauna Avize, Diena

Information provided by the Saeima’s Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law says that there are several thousand people living abroad who illegally hold Latvian citizenship. It is mostly people living in Israel and CIS countries who have double citizenship. Latvian legislation states that persons who have obtained citizenship of another country and reside abroad for a long period of time do not have the right to keep Latvian citizenship. The situation causes roughly a million lat losses to Latvia in pension payments.

Information provided by the Saeimas Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law says that there are several thousand people living abroad who illegally hold Latvian citizenship. It is mostly people living in Israel and CIS countries who have double citizenship. Latvian legislation states that persons who have obtained citizenship of another country and reside abroad for a long period of time do not have the right to keep Latvian citizenship. The situation causes roughly a million lat losses to Latvia in pension payments. Jauna Avize, Diena

Columnist of Radio Free Europe Paul Goble thinks that closing of Skrunda radar station does not decrease Russia’s influence in the Baltic countries.

Columnist of Radio Free Europe Paul Goble thinks that closing of Skrunda radar station does not decrease Russias influence in the Baltic countries. BB