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

In the meeting of foreign ministers in Helsinki devoted to the Northern Dimension the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins met the Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. The ministers discussed the need to continue preparing the legislative basis of both countries, developing cross-border co-operation and the work of the intergovernmental commission. Ivanov asked Berzins about the process of passing the Language law, Berzins informed about the favourable statement made by the European Commission regarding Latvia’s progress in fulfilment of OSCE recommendations in the field of citizenship and naturalization.

In the meeting of foreign ministers in Helsinki devoted to the Northern Dimension the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins met the Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. The ministers discussed the need to continue preparing the legislative basis of both countries, developing cross-border co-operation and the work of the intergovernmental commission. Ivanov asked Berzins about the process of passing the Language law, Berzins informed about the favourable statement made by the European Commission regarding Latvias progress in fulfilment of OSCE recommendations in the field of citizenship and naturalization. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti, Panorama Latvii, Chas

Chas reports that during Berzins’ meeting with the British State Minister for European and EU Affairs the least had pronounced an opinion that incompliance of the Language Law to international standards Latvia may be not invited to negotiations this December.

Chas reports that during Berzins meeting with the British State Minister for European and EU Affairs the least had pronounced an opinion that incompliance of the Language Law to international standards Latvia may be not invited to negotiations this December.

Representative of Russia to the UN Alexander Zmeyevsky made a speech in the meeting of the 3rd sub-committee of the UN General Assembly turning the attention of the international community to the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia and Estonia. Among other things the representative pointed out that Latvia is preparing a language law aiming at recognising Russian a foreign language which is native to 40% of Latvia’s inhabitants.

Representative of Russia to the UN Alexander Zmeyevsky made a speech in the meeting of the 3rd sub-committee of the UN General Assembly turning the attention of the international community to the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia and Estonia. Among other things the representative pointed out that Latvia is preparing a language law aiming at recognising Russian a foreign language which is native to 40% of Latvias inhabitants. Vesti

In a plenary meeting of the Lawyers’ Day Head of the Saeima’s Legal Commission Gunars Kusins said that serious changes would be needed to be made to the Latvian Constitution before Latvia joins the EU.

In a plenary meeting of the Lawyers Day Head of the Saeimas Legal Commission Gunars Kusins said that serious changes would be needed to be made to the Latvian Constitution before Latvia joins the EU. Neatkariga

Latvian Foreign Ministry informed

Latvian Foreign Ministry informed Diena that as the mandate of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel is to expire at the end of this year the OSCE country leaders should appoint a new candidate during the Istanbul OSCE summit. Currently the OSCE member countries have not agreed who of the three candidates should be appointed.