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

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Linda announced that the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia had fulfilled their tasks and Sweden supported the idea of closing them down. She pointed out that Latvia and Estonia had fulfilled practically all recommendations put forward by the OSCE High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Mission mandates expire on June 30, and a discussion has started whether they should be prolonged. Latvian MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane, answering to the question on Latvia’s position said that a discussion had not developed so far to close the Mission on June 30.

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Linda announced that the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia had fulfilled their tasks and Sweden supported the idea of closing them down. She pointed out that Latvia and Estonia had fulfilled practically all recommendations put forward by the OSCE High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Mission mandates expire on June 30, and a discussion has started whether they should be prolonged. Latvian MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane, answering to the question on Latvias position said that a discussion had not developed so far to close the Mission on June 30. Diena, Lauku Avize

According to the SKDS data there is decrease in the popularity rating of President V.V.Freiberga and leaders of the New Party, but it has increased for People’s Party leader A.Skele. The top three still are the President, Latvian Bank President E.Repse and the Saeima Speaker J.Straume.

According to the SKDS data there is decrease in the popularity rating of President V.V.Freiberga and leaders of the New Party, but it has increased for Peoples Party leader A.Skele. The top three still are the President, Latvian Bank President E.Repse and the Saeima Speaker J.Straume. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Estonian Prime Minister M.Lars at last week Baltic Assembly meeting gave a positive evaluation for the co-operation of the Baltic States. Commenting this statement, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary P.Peiklik said that it did not mean any changes in Estonian foreign policy, but these words were very significant.

Estonian Prime Minister M.Lars at last week Baltic Assembly meeting gave a positive evaluation for the co-operation of the Baltic States. Commenting this statement, Prime Ministers Press Secretary P.Peiklik said that it did not mean any changes in Estonian foreign policy, but these words were very significant. Diena

D.Rietuma writes in

D.Rietuma writes in Diena about the new citizen passports. German company Giesecke&Devrient that won the tender will print them. It is planned that new passports would be valid from January 1, 2001, and they could cost about 4 million Ls. It is also planned that Latvian residents will be able to receive also ID cards. Diena

During the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins, EU Expansion Commissioner G.Verheugen prised Latvian successful foreign policy, leading to EU expansion,. G.Verheugen stated that if Latvia would continue like that it could catch up with the first group states.

During the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins, EU Expansion Commissioner G.Verheugen prised Latvian successful foreign policy, leading to EU expansion,. G.Verheugen stated that if Latvia would continue like that it could catch up with the first group states. Diena, Neatkariga

On Monday at a press briefing in Moscow Russian Security Council Secretary S.Ivanov said that Russia would not use military force to oppose the Baltic States joining NATO. Russia would use only political and diplomatic means in her fight the NATO expansion eastwards.

On Monday at a press briefing in Moscow Russian Security Council Secretary S.Ivanov said that Russia would not use military force to oppose the Baltic States joining NATO. Russia would use only political and diplomatic means in her fight the NATO expansion eastwards. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

On May 26 an 85 years old man was taken to the Airport Riga police office where he asked for asylum in Latvia. He turned out to be Byelorussian resident Ilya S.

On May 26 an 85 years old man was taken to the Airport Riga police office where he asked for asylum in Latvia. He turned out to be Byelorussian resident Ilya S. Diena

Diena

correspondent in Moscow P.Shirovs writes that this year most probably will be the last when the ethnic Russians still residing outside Russia will return to their fatherland in huge numbers. But according to Russian Federation Migration Service data less and less people want to migrate to Russia. The Baltic States, opposite to Russias statements about the discrimination of Russian speakers there, have never been the leading ones in this field. And nobody waits for immigrants from the Baltic already for a long time. Diena

EU Commissioner A.Diamantopoul meeting Latvian Minister of Well-fare A.Pozarnovs acknowledged the great progress in the field of social sphere and said that reforms were taking place rapidly, but still Latvian authorities should work to develop the social dialogue.

EU Commissioner A.Diamantopoul meeting Latvian Minister of Well-fare A.Pozarnovs acknowledged the great progress in the field of social sphere and said that reforms were taking place rapidly, but still Latvian authorities should work to develop the social dialogue. Neatkariga

In her interview to the German magazine “Der Spiegel” Latvian President V.V.Freiberga spoke also about Latvian – Russian relations. They have always been very tense. When Putin became the President of Russia, there were hopes that the relations could improve, but the situation did not show it. V.V.Freiberga said that Russia had always been an unpredictable country and there were no strong grounds for democracy.

In her interview to the German magazine Der Spiegel Latvian President V.V.Freiberga spoke also about Latvian – Russian relations. They have always been very tense. When Putin became the President of Russia, there were hopes that the relations could improve, but the situation did not show it. V.V.Freiberga said that Russia had always been an unpredictable country and there were no strong grounds for democracy. Lauku Avize , Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins acknowledged existence of some large economic groups in Latvia, but he was sure that none of them could influence his Government. At the same time he did not go into details how many and what there groups were.

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins acknowledged existence of some large economic groups in Latvia, but he was sure that none of them could influence his Government. At the same time he did not go into details how many and what there groups were. Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Chas

writes that due to a mistake in the Mathematics exam for 12 graders Russian speaking students had more complicated text problem than the original one for Latvian students. Russian teachers are still thinking whether to send a protest letter to the Ministry of Education. writes that due to a mistake in the Mathematics exam for 12 graders Russian speaking students had more complicated text problem than the original one for Latvian students. Russian teachers are still thinking whether to send a protest letter to the Ministry of Education. Russian speaking newspaper

Russian speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya had learned that yesterday, during the Moscow negotiation with EU President R.Prodi and Prime Minister of Portugal A.Gutterishem, Russian President V.Putin spoke about the situation in Latvia. Russian President expressed his concern about the situation of national minorities there and the fate of the former red guerrilla man V.Kononov. R.Prodi answered that Latvia was an EU candidate state and that during the negotiation process there would be a careful examination of the conformity of all Latvian legal norms to EU standards.