Press Review

Press Review

Latvian and Lithuanian presidents, while meeting in Vilnius, expressed a hope that sea border agreement, concluded between those two countries, could be ratified immediately. It its turn the Saeima Economics Commission, basing on the negative opinion of the opposition deputies, rejected the consideration of the agreement in the first reading. Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins pointed out that, according to international legal norms, it would be hard or almost impossible for Latvia to conclude a more favourable agreement.

Latvian and Lithuanian presidents, while meeting in Vilnius, expressed a hope that sea border agreement, concluded between those two countries, could be ratified immediately. It its turn the Saeima Economics Commission, basing on the negative opinion of the opposition deputies, rejected the consideration of the agreement in the first reading. Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins pointed out that, according to international legal norms, it would be hard or almost impossible for Latvia to conclude a more favourable agreement. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya

The heads of Aluksne, Gulbene and Madona regional councils, when discussing the formation of the nine districts adopted by the government, came to a conclusion that East-Vidzeme District would become the economically less developed one, therefore there was no use for amalgamation. Somebody even made a proposal to elect the district government basing on the twochamber system.

The heads of Aluksne, Gulbene and Madona regional councils, when discussing the formation of the nine districts adopted by the government, came to a conclusion that East-Vidzeme District would become the economically less developed one, therefore there was no use for amalgamation. Somebody even made a proposal to elect the district government basing on the twochamber system. Neatkariga

Minister of Justice V.Birkavs writes in

Minister of Justice V.Birkavs writes in Neatkariga about his priorities and states that the main objective for him is to realise the standards of a legal state adopted in EU let Latvia could become a full fledged EU member state. Every person in Latvia has a right to demand an effective, competent and just consideration of his/her case at a court of juridical institution.

G.Tihonov, Head of the National Council Commission on CIS Affairs and Relation with Compatriots considers that the former USSR citizens who are residing outside Russia but have not asked for a citizenship of some other country should be granted the right to elect the Parliament.

G.Tihonov, Head of the National Council Commission on CIS Affairs and Relation with Compatriots considers that the former USSR citizens who are residing outside Russia but have not asked for a citizenship of some other country should be granted the right to elect the Parliament. Vesti Segodnya

Press Report

September 6 till October 5 people in Latvia will sign in support of holding the referendum on amendments to the Pension Law. The Central Election Committee has asked the commissions not to release preliminary results of the procedure to avoid campaigning. At least 134,195 signatures are needed to organise the referendum.

September 6 till October 5 people in Latvia will sign in support of holding the referendum on amendments to the Pension Law. The Central Election Committee has asked the commissions not to release preliminary results of the procedure to avoid campaigning. At least 134,195 signatures are needed to organise the referendum. Neatkariga, Diena

Sunday, after an unofficial meeting of the EU foreign ministers the French foreign minister informed the press that majority of the 15 EU member countries support passing a decision during the Helsinki summit on Latvia and other second group countries to join the EU accession negotiations.

Sunday, after an unofficial meeting of the EU foreign ministers the French foreign minister informed the press that majority of the 15 EU member countries support passing a decision during the Helsinki summit on Latvia and other second group countries to join the EU accession negotiations. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Press Review

Latvia’s Way and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK are working on a compromise solution to specify the stopped amendments to the Pension Law. Deputy Head of FF/LNNK Janis Straume believes that the compromise version should take into account the interests of the whole society and the work should be started while signatures for referendum are still being collected.

Latvias Way and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK are working on a compromise solution to specify the stopped amendments to the Pension Law. Deputy Head of FF/LNNK Janis Straume believes that the compromise version should take into account the interests of the whole society and the work should be started while signatures for referendum are still being collected. Diena, Neatkariga

After the meeting of the three Baltic and German Foreign Ministers in Tallinn the German Foreign Minister said that Germany maintains a strong support for fast integration of the Baltic countries into EU and stressed the progress made by Latvia and Lithuania.

After the meeting of the three Baltic and German Foreign Ministers in Tallinn the German Foreign Minister said that Germany maintains a strong support for fast integration of the Baltic countries into EU and stressed the progress made by Latvia and Lithuania. Diena, Neatkariga

Ventspils municipality provides a special support to the signature collection campaign by opening five places for this purpose while two would be enough as far as the population. Diena

Ventspils municipality provides a special support to the signature collection campaign by opening five places for this purpose while two would be enough as far as the population. Diena

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