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

Four coalition parties yesterday signed coalition agreement, and Friday afternoon in an extraordinary Saeima session it is planned to vote in support to Andris Bçrziňđ’ government. The final agreement on the positions in the new government was reached after Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK gave in and agreed to the Cabinet model offered by Bçrziňđ. But chairman of the party Mâris Grînblats even considers stepping down from his position as he could not ensure the party’s equal representation in the government. The New Party joins the government without managing to overcome the inner contradictions.

Four coalition parties yesterday signed coalition agreement, and Friday afternoon in an extraordinary Saeima session it is planned to vote in support to Andris Bçrziňđ government. The final agreement on the positions in the new government was reached after Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK gave in and agreed to the Cabinet model offered by Bçrziňđ. But chairman of the party Mâris Grînblats even considers stepping down from his position as he could not ensure the partys equal representation in the government. The New Party joins the government without managing to overcome the inner contradictions. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

After information provided by Central Statistics Office, last year residents from Latvia most often emigrated to Russia (1504), Germany (659), the US (305), Israel (288).

After information provided by Central Statistics Office, last year residents from Latvia most often emigrated to Russia (1504), Germany (659), the US (305), Israel (288). Jauna Avize, Respublika

Statement of the Latvian Foreign Ministry released on Thursday says that the announcement of the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the expressions of President Freiberga is exagerated and shows inadequate understanding of the foreign policy carried out by Latvia. President Freiberga does not want to comment the reproaches that came from Russia regarding her recent expressions about the possible military agression from Russia against the Baltics.

Statement of the Latvian Foreign Ministry released on Thursday says that the announcement of the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the expressions of President Freiberga is exagerated and shows inadequate understanding of the foreign policy carried out by Latvia. President Freiberga does not want to comment the reproaches that came from Russia regarding her recent expressions about the possible military agression from Russia against the Baltics. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Chairman of the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee Dmitry Rogozin who planned to come to Riga after invitation of the Latvian MPs, decided to indefinitely cancel his visit in connection with President Freiberga’s recent expressions.

Chairman of the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee Dmitry Rogozin who planned to come to Riga after invitation of the Latvian MPs, decided to indefinitely cancel his visit in connection with President Freibergas recent expressions. Neatkariga

Vesti

describe the surprise the audience showed yesterday when during the ceremonious Saeima meeting devoted to the 10th anniversary of adopting the independence declaration the Saeima Speaker Janis Straume speaking so kindly about the Eastern neighbor. Starume called maintaining good neighboring relations with Russia as one of the main priorities of the foreign policy. He expressed readiness of the Latvian MPs to speak with officials of different levels in Russia on further cooperation and the existing problems to reach mutual understanding even in most painful issues. describe the surprise the audience showed yesterday when during the ceremonious Saeima meeting devoted to the 10th anniversary of adopting the independence declaration the Saeima Speaker Janis Straume speaking so “kindly” about the Eastern neighbor. Starume called maintaining good neighboring relations with Russia as one of the main priorities of the foreign policy. He expressed readiness of the Latvian MPs to speak with officials of different levels in Russia on further cooperation and the existing problems to reach mutual understanding even in most painful issues. A businessman from Volgograd, Russia, yesterday in an interview to Nezavisimaya Gazeta announced he was ready to buy a one-room apartment in his town for the war veteran Vasily Kononov.

A businessman from Volgograd, Russia, yesterday in an interview to Nezavisimaya Gazeta announced he was ready to buy a one-room apartment in his town for the war veteran Vasily Kononov. Vesti

Russian President Putin signed a decree ordering to pay an extraordinary pension to retired Russian citizens in the Baltic countries on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of WW2.

Russian President Putin signed a decree ordering to pay an extraordinary pension to retired Russian citizens in the Baltic countries on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of WW2. Diena