Press Report

A Finnish company Setec Oy has won the tender announced by Latvian DCMA for the rights to make passports and ID cards. The total cost of the offer is 8.9 million lats

A Finnish company Setec Oy has won the tender announced by Latvian DCMA for the rights to make passports and ID cards. The total cost of the offer is 8.9 million lats. Neatkariga, BB

During the seminar Society integration in Liepaja through education, language, and culture held last Friday released the results of a survey done in schools in Liepaja. The survey showed that only 14% of respondents want to stay in Liepaja. The survey included questions about citizenship and integration.

During the seminar Society integration in Liepaja through education, language, and culture held last Friday released the results of a survey done in schools in Liepaja. The survey showed that only 14% of respondents want to stay in Liepaja. The survey included questions about citizenship and integration. Diena

The Cabinet is to consider amendments to the law on taxes and duties providing for introducing fees for the compulsory Latvian language proficiency test (15 lats) and submitting the application on rejecting Latvian citizenship and renewing it.

The Cabinet is to consider amendments to the law on taxes and duties providing for introducing fees for the compulsory Latvian language proficiency test (15 lats) and submitting the application on rejecting Latvian citizenship and renewing it. Vesti

Press Report

Russian Foreign Ministry last Friday pronounced harsh criticism concerning the Latvian Language Law passed by the Latvian parliament and appealed the Council of EU to reconsider Latvia's invitation to EU negotiations. Latvian Foreign Ministry called this statement an open intervening in Latvia's internal affairs.

Russian Foreign Ministry last Friday pronounced harsh criticism concerning the Latvian Language Law passed by the Latvian parliament and appealed the Council of EU to reconsider Latvia's invitation to EU negotiations. Latvian Foreign Ministry called this statement an open intervening in Latvia's internal affairs. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Vesti publishes the full text of the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement.

Vesti publishes the full text of the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement.

The party For Human Rights in United Latvia sees the adopted Language Law as contradictory to international acts and discriminating national minorities.

The party For Human Rights in United Latvia sees the adopted Language Law as contradictory to international acts and discriminating national minorities. Diena

This November Naturalisation Board received a record-big number - 1525 - of applications for citizenship since the beginning of naturalization process in February of 1995.

This November Naturalisation Board received a record-big number - 1525 - of applications for citizenship since the beginning of naturalization process in February of 1995. Diena

The most important projects of the US Northern European Initiative in Latvia are in society integration and social integration will soon be an important element of the relations between the US and the Baltics.

The most important projects of the US Northern European Initiative in Latvia are in society integration and social integration will soon be an important element of the relations between the US and the Baltics. Diena

 

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Language law stating that the Government should elaborate the regulations on language use in public events. 52 deputies were for the law, against – 26 from the union For Human Rights in United Latvia and majority of Social Democrats, but TB/LNNK did not take part in voting. Latvian President V.V.Freiberga considers that the law will protect the rights of the Latvian language and corresponds to international standards. It is confirmed by the announcement to the press to the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel where he states that the Latvian language in its essence complies with Latvian international obligations.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Language law stating that the Government should elaborate the regulations on language use in public events. 52 deputies were for the law, against – 26 from the union For Human Rights in United Latvia and majority of Social Democrats, but TB/LNNK did not take part in voting. Latvian President V.V.Freiberga considers that the law will protect the rights of the Latvian language and corresponds to international standards. It is confirmed by the announcement to the press to the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel where he states that the Latvian language in its essence complies with Latvian international obligations. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

Latvijas Vestnesis

published the results of voting. published the results of voting. Prime Minister A.Skele has received a letter from British Prime Minister T.Blair where Mr. Blair points out that last may he asked the Council of Europe at its Helsinki meeting to start official negotiation with Latvia on joining EU. British Prime Minister acknowledges that Latvia has achieved big progress preparing for participation in EU and the difficult negotiation to join it. He assures that GB will support Latvia in this process.

Prime Minister A.Skele has received a letter from British Prime Minister T.Blair where Mr. Blair points out that last may he asked the Council of Europe at its Helsinki meeting to start official negotiation with Latvia on joining EU. British Prime Minister acknowledges that Latvia has achieved big progress preparing for participation in EU and the difficult negotiation to join it. He assures that GB will support Latvia in this process. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena

The Saeima has conceptually supported the abolishing the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers on March 16 and transferring it to November 11 Lacplesis Day.

The Saeima has conceptually supported the abolishing the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers on March 16 and transferring it to November 11 Lacplesis Day. Diena

Chas

writes about the legal status of an apatrid and the situation in this respect in Latvia. On the day of adoption of the Language law two pickets were held at the Saeima. On one side of the street stood the supporters of the Latvian language and on the other – Russian speakers. And between them a line of policemen.

On the day of adoption of the Language law two pickets were held at the Saeima. On one side of the street stood the supporters of the Latvian language and on the other – Russian speakers. And between them a line of policemen. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Riga show business representative M.Lipchenko was fined by the language inspection for misspelling the name of Sanpetersburgh in the Latvian language on the posters of the Mariin theatre posted on the National Opera House.

Riga show business representative M.Lipchenko was fined by the language inspection for misspelling the name of Sanpetersburgh in the Latvian language on the posters of the Mariin theatre posted on the National Opera House. Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian Human Rights Commission lawyer Y.Solovyov advises the readers of

Latvian Human Rights Commission lawyer Y.Solovyov advises the readers of Panorama Latvii how to exchange their passports if there is no propiska.

Press Report

The government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future

The government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events.

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti

Diena

publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the Peoples Party regarding the laws most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law Latvias last battle of the 20th century. publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the People’s Party regarding the law’s most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law “Latvia’s last battle of the 20th century”. Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeima’s Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvia’s non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens.

Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeimas Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvias non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens. Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii