Press Report

The Latvian government decided to reorganise the Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and military pensioners repatriation fund by merging it with Latvia’s Environment Protection Fund. The Environment Protection Fund will take over the rights and commitments of the Skrunda fund.

The Latvian government decided to reorganise the Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and military pensioners repatriation fund by merging it with Latvias Environment Protection Fund. The Environment Protection Fund will take over the rights and commitments of the Skrunda fund. Neatkariga

Canada’s Foreign Minister during his visit to Latvia met the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his answers to the press he said that admission of the candidate countries will be based on objective criteria and not pressure or lobbying. He mentioned that Canada is planning to grant Latvia resources for preparation for joining the organisation.

Canadas Foreign Minister during his visit to Latvia met the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his answers to the press he said that admission of the candidate countries will be based on objective criteria and not pressure or lobbying. He mentioned that Canada is planning to grant Latvia resources for preparation for joining the organisation. Diena

Heads of the ruling factions yesterday signed a supplementary protocol to the coalition agreement. The protocol does not reveal any new principles of party co-operation, it provides specifically for the technical implementation of the coalition agreement.

Heads of the ruling factions yesterday signed a supplementary protocol to the coalition agreement. The protocol does not reveal any new principles of party co-operation, it provides specifically for the technical implementation of the coalition agreement. Neatkariga

The study conducted by Latvijas Fakti shows that after a month-long being in the position of the prime minister the rating for Andris Skele has dropped from 30 to 2.5 points and he has become the fourth most unpopular government member. Compared to July, all government members see a drop in their ratings with an exception of Foreign Minister Andris Berzins, Interior Minister Mareks Seglins and Agriculture Minister Aigars Kalvitis.

The study conducted by Latvijas Fakti shows that after a month-long being in the position of the prime minister the rating for Andris Skele has dropped from 30 to 2.5 points and he has become the fourth most unpopular government member. Compared to July, all government members see a drop in their ratings with an exception of Foreign Minister Andris Berzins, Interior Minister Mareks Seglins and Agriculture Minister Aigars Kalvitis. Neatkariga

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs suggested that the city council should think about the ways how non-citizens could have their representatives in municipal institutions to learn about their needs. The law on local governments allows for non-citizens to work in municipalities but there is no mechanism providing for how to appoint them. Lembergs believes that non-citizens should take part in the decision-making and control process as they pay taxes.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs suggested that the city council should think about the ways how non-citizens could have their representatives in municipal institutions to learn about their needs. The law on local governments allows for non-citizens to work in municipalities but there is no mechanism providing for how to appoint them. Lembergs believes that non-citizens should take part in the decision-making and control process as they pay taxes. Neatkariga

Press Report

Gunter Verheugen, candidate for the position of the Commissioner for EU Extension when speaking to the Europarliament said that the State Language Law in Latvia was still in the centre of the EU interest. He expressed positive attitude towards inviting Latvia to negotiations.

Gunter Verheugen, candidate for the position of the Commissioner for EU Extension when speaking to the Europarliament said that the State Language Law in Latvia was still in the centre of the EU interest. He expressed positive attitude towards inviting Latvia to negotiations.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins after returning from the meeting of Baltic and Nordic foreign ministers in Iceland confirmed that Latvia has received signals that it would be advisable to pass the State Language Law before the Helsinki summit.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins after returning from the meeting of Baltic and Nordic foreign ministers in Iceland confirmed that Latvia has received signals that it would be advisable to pass the State Language Law before the Helsinki summit. Diena

In a press conference after returning from the meeting in Iceland Indulis Berzins said that in his mind Latvia’s prospects for joining the EU negotiations are “carefully optimistic” as after the Balkan crisis the geopolitical criteria can be taken into account when considering the candidate countries. Berzins stressed that Latvia should pass a “precise, correct language law that facilitates integration”.

In a press conference after returning from the meeting in Iceland Indulis Berzins said that in his mind Latvias prospects for joining the EU negotiations are carefully optimistic as after the Balkan crisis the geopolitical criteria can be taken into account when considering the candidate countries. Berzins stressed that Latvia should pass a precise, correct language law that facilitates integration. Jauna Avize

In August, the number of women who have chosen to retire early has grown. It is a testimony to the fact that any changes in the Pension Law increases the distrust in pension system as well as the number of pensioners.

In August, the number of women who have chosen to retire early has grown. It is a testimony to the fact that any changes in the Pension Law increases the distrust in pension system as well as the number of pensioners. Diena

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in a press conference in Helsinki stated that Latvia itself will decide on the course of its defence policy and on joining the NATO - despite the objections from Russia.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in a press conference in Helsinki stated that Latvia itself will decide on the course of its defence policy and on joining the NATO - despite the objections from Russia. Vesti Segodna

Press Review

During the September 14 government meeting along with the draft budget for 2000 the Cabinet plans to consider several amendments to tax legislation, like imposing personal income tax on dividends as well as profit form bank deposits. Also, there is a possibility that excise tax will be imposed on all bear. The Finance Ministry has intended to reduce real estate tax from 4 to 2% to attract foreign investors for upgrading real estate. The ministry is looking at the possibility to raise the minimal salary to increase personal income tax payments to the budget.

During the September 14 government meeting along with the draft budget for 2000 the Cabinet plans to consider several amendments to tax legislation, like imposing personal income tax on dividends as well as profit form bank deposits. Also, there is a possibility that excise tax will be imposed on all bear. The Finance Ministry has intended to reduce real estate tax from 4 to 2% to attract foreign investors for upgrading real estate. The ministry is looking at the possibility to raise the minimal salary to increase personal income tax payments to the budget. Diena, Neatkariga

Almost 20 MP s chose different Saeima’s commissions yesterday, the day of the first Saeima meeting. The move was connected with the intention of the ruling coalition to ensure majority in all commissions to have the support for the government projects.

Almost 20 MP s chose different Saeimas commissions yesterday, the day of the first Saeima meeting. The move was connected with the intention of the ruling coalition to ensure majority in all commissions to have the support for the government projects. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The World Bank fully supports the amendments to the Pension Law offered by the government and has opinion that these unpopular decisions were the only possibility to save the pension system that was distorted at the time of parliament election campaign.

The World Bank fully supports the amendments to the Pension Law offered by the government and has opinion that these unpopular decisions were the only possibility to save the pension system that was distorted at the time of parliament election campaign. Diena

The Board of Naturalisation is planned to be turned into the Board of Citizenship and National Issues under the supervision of Justice Ministry. The information was released by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs after his meeting with Andris Skele.

The Board of Naturalisation is planned to be turned into the Board of Citizenship and National Issues under the supervision of Justice Ministry. The information was released by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs after his meeting with Andris Skele. Diena

Due to the hard economic situation in the country it is planned to reduce by one third (200,000 instead of 600,000 lats) the budget allocations to pay bonuses for Latvian language teachers in non-Latvian schools.

Due to the hard economic situation in the country it is planned to reduce by one third (200,000 instead of 600,000 lats) the budget allocations to pay bonuses for Latvian language teachers in non-Latvian schools. Chas

11 schools will be closed and several reorganised this year. Closing of the schools in Bauska, Cesis, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Tukums, Valka, Ventspils, and Daugavpils districts is mainly due to the small number of students there. Last year 10 schools were closed.

11 schools will be closed and several reorganised this year. Closing of the schools in Bauska, Cesis, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Tukums, Valka, Ventspils, and Daugavpils districts is mainly due to the small number of students there. Last year 10 schools were closed. Neatkariga

The participation of Latvia’s Way deputy Normunds Rudevics in the international conference on Gypsy issues in Vienna will cost 457 lats for the Saeima. The Saeima’s Presidium earlier rejected the request to grant the money for the trip as there was no money for unplanned trips in Saeima’s budget. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume told the press that due to the international importance of the conference and the attention of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel paid to it the Saeima decided to grant the money.

The participation of Latvias Way deputy Normunds Rudevics in the international conference on Gypsy issues in Vienna will cost 457 lats for the Saeima. The Saeimas Presidium earlier rejected the request to grant the money for the trip as there was no money for unplanned trips in Saeimas budget. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume told the press that due to the international importance of the conference and the attention of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel paid to it the Saeima decided to grant the money. Diena

Press Report

During the press conference closing the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia he noted that proficiency in the state language is important for integration and is in the interests of the Russian-speaking community. For this reason, he expressed support to extension of the state language program and promised to help to raise the necessary 1.3 million USD to continue the program. In the answer to the proposal brought up by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to urge the Russian-speakers to learn Latvian the High Commissioner said he was not going to release a special statement and reminded about having stressed before in his speeches that learning the state language is in person’s own interests.

During the press conference closing the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia he noted that proficiency in the state language is important for integration and is in the interests of the Russian-speaking community. For this reason, he expressed support to extension of the state language program and promised to help to raise the necessary 1.3 million USD to continue the program. In the answer to the proposal brought up by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to urge the Russian-speakers to learn Latvian the High Commissioner said he was not going to release a special statement and reminded about having stressed before in his speeches that learning the state language is in persons own interests. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodna

Latvijas Vestnesis provides a detailed report on the High Commissioner’s meeting with the Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele and the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Latvijas Vestnesis provides a detailed report on the High Commissioners meeting with the Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele and the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Chas

focuses on the possible outcome of the second review of the State Language law. MP from the For Human Rights in United Latvia Boris Tsilevich thinks that the ruling factions will change only some terminology, like the term state institutions, and all articles objected by Europe will remain as before. Dzintars Abikis, the only honest member of the ruling coalition also admitted that nothing substantial will be changed in the law. focuses on the possible outcome of the second review of the State Language law. MP from the For Human Rights in United Latvia Boris Tsilevich thinks that the ruling factions will change only some terminology, like the term “state institutions”, and all articles objected by Europe will remain as before. Dzintars Abikis, “the only honest member of the ruling coalition” also admitted that nothing substantial will be changed in the law. Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that being the top official in the country has no right to intervene and influence the process around the amendments to the Pension Law. She urged the population to study rationally the amendments, understand the situation and then make a decision on signing for referendum. However, she said that the society should be aware of the rise of the pension age in future as in Latvia it is “abnormally low”.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that being the top official in the country has no right to intervene and influence the process around the amendments to the Pension Law. She urged the population to study rationally the amendments, understand the situation and then make a decision on signing for referendum. However, she said that the society should be aware of the rise of the pension age in future as in Latvia it is abnormally low. Neatkariga, Diena

The suggestions for solving the budget problems released by Social Democrats and the Trade Unions in the opinion of the Prime Minister Andris Skele offer no alternatives to the amendments to the Pension Law. As the only constructive thing Skele mentioned the suggested tax “on wealth”, like houses, yachts, luxurious cars. Skele himself thinks that the budget could be as well raised by taxing the interest on bank deposits and dividends.

The suggestions for solving the budget problems released by Social Democrats and the Trade Unions in the opinion of the Prime Minister Andris Skele offer no alternatives to the amendments to the Pension Law. As the only constructive thing Skele mentioned the suggested tax on wealth, like houses, yachts, luxurious cars. Skele himself thinks that the budget could be as well raised by taxing the interest on bank deposits and dividends. Diena

The Cabinet has decided on electing directly governments for nine regions in March of 2001. The regional reform is intended to have a balanced development of all regions as well as to free the central government from dealing with local and regional problems. Prime Minister Andris Skele was the only one to object direct elections, he suggested that the regions should have appointed governors.

The Cabinet has decided on electing directly governments for nine regions in March of 2001. The regional reform is intended to have a balanced development of all regions as well as to free the central government from dealing with local and regional problems. Prime Minister Andris Skele was the only one to object direct elections, he suggested that the regions should have appointed governors. Neatkariga

During the August 24 meetingCabinetdecided to delay considering the stopping of the May 3, 1994 Cabinet decision “On the fund for Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and repatriation of the Russian military pensioners”. Environment Protection and Regional Development, Foreign and Justice Ministries have to prepare a draft document on the Fund and submit it to the Cabinet to be considered this August 31.

During the August 24 meetingCabinetdecided to delay considering the stopping of the May 3, 1994 Cabinet decision On the fund for Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and repatriation of the Russian military pensioners. Environment Protection and Regional Development, Foreign and Justice Ministries have to prepare a draft document on the Fund and submit it to the Cabinet to be considered this August 31. Latvijas Vestnesis