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

Press Report

European Parliament member and its potential chairman Pat Cox sees no reasons for not admitting Latvia to the European Union in the first round of enlargement because the country has progressed fast during the last year. President of European Parliament Liberal Democratic party group of deputies Cox said following the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins he supports differentiated attitude to each of the candidate countries during the admission process.

European Parliament member and its potential chairman Pat Cox sees no reasons for not admitting Latvia to the European Union in the first round of enlargement because the country has progressed fast during the last year. President of European Parliament Liberal Democratic party group of deputies Cox said following the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins he supports differentiated attitude to each of the candidate countries during the admission process. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna

Yesterday Latvia and Russia Border Guard Services exchanged with 2 illegal trespassers.

Yesterday Latvia and Russia Border Guard Services exchanged with 2 illegal trespassers. Neatkariga

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins met with officials from a number of institutions on Wednesday, discussing the recent scandalous Vieda publishing house essay contest, deemed as chauvinistic and russophobic by Russia. Participants of the meeting - the Constitution Protection Office, Security Police and Prosecutor General - claim the contest as "odious" unacceptable and said that it was "not far from promoting national disharmony," reported the Prime Minister's spokesperson. Even though the meeting concluded that extreme right-wing or left-wing ideas do not gain much support in Latvia, "specific manifestations are deemed as attempts at attracting additional interest by groups of small importance at a time when the country is speedily integrating into Euro-Atlantic structures," stated a press announcement. The officials discussed not only the Vieda essay contest but also other publications in Russian and Latvian languages, considered manifestations of right or left wing extremism. The Prime Minister was informed of the general security situation in Latvia with special attention drawn to "possible barriers in context of Latvia's EU and NATO integration." Berzins said that there is still much to be done in order to evade extreme politicised accounts of historical events, as well as other negative aspects which may contribute towards portraying the country in an untrue image, causing disharmony in the Latvian society. Information on various Russian-language newspapers of inadequate descriptions on inter-ethnic relations and development forecasts was also presented. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that the controversial essay contest is "the efforts of a small group to attract attention in a time when Latvia's European and transatlantic integration is strengthening, with no support for such efforts in the Latvian society. It is therefore not understandable as to why other countries may have to express any comments on this case," reported the Foreign Ministry. The Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that Latvian officials have acted appropriately and that security institutions have assessed the Vieda contest according to the law. "Latvia's government is firmly following the course for social integration, based on democracy, human rights and justice. The correct direction of this course has on numerous times been admitted by our international partners," reported the Foreign Ministry

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins met with officials from a number of institutions on Wednesday, discussing the recent scandalous Vieda publishing house essay contest, deemed as chauvinistic and russophobic by Russia. Participants of the meeting - the Constitution Protection Office, Security Police and Prosecutor General - claim the contest as "odious" unacceptable and said that it was "not far from promoting national disharmony," reported the Prime Minister's spokesperson. Even though the meeting concluded that extreme right-wing or left-wing ideas do not gain much support in Latvia, "specific manifestations are deemed as attempts at attracting additional interest by groups of small importance at a time when the country is speedily integrating into Euro-Atlantic structures," stated a press announcement. The officials discussed not only the Vieda essay contest but also other publications in Russian and Latvian languages, considered manifestations of right or left wing extremism. The Prime Minister was informed of the general security situation in Latvia with special attention drawn to "possible barriers in context of Latvia's EU and NATO integration." Berzins said that there is still much to be done in order to evade extreme politicised accounts of historical events, as well as other negative aspects which may contribute towards portraying the country in an untrue image, causing disharmony in the Latvian society. Information on various Russian-language newspapers of inadequate descriptions on inter-ethnic relations and development forecasts was also presented. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that the controversial essay contest is "the efforts of a small group to attract attention in a time when Latvia's European and transatlantic integration is strengthening, with no support for such efforts in the Latvian society. It is therefore not understandable as to why other countries may have to express any comments on this case," reported the Foreign Ministry. The Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that Latvian officials have acted appropriately and that security institutions have assessed the Vieda contest according to the law. "Latvia's government is firmly following the course for social integration, based on democracy, human rights and justice. The correct direction of this course has on numerous times been admitted by our international partners," reported the Foreign Ministry. Vesti Segodnja, Chas, BNS

Next week Latvia is expecting visits of high European officials - EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen will be in Latvia from July 18 to 21, and is set to visit also rural Latvia for the first time and the European Union's Regional Policy Commissioner Michel Barnier will be visiting Latvia from July 16 to 18, meeting with high officials to discuss Latvian EU integration and the union's regional policies. Both officials have scheduled meetings with state President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and other high officials.

Next week Latvia is expecting visits of high European officials - EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen will be in Latvia from July 18 to 21, and is set to visit also rural Latvia for the first time and the European Union's Regional Policy Commissioner Michel Barnier will be visiting Latvia from July 16 to 18, meeting with high officials to discuss Latvian EU integration and the union's regional policies. Both officials have scheduled meetings with state President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and other high officials. Diena

Chas

talks with ITAR-TASS journalist M.Gusmanov after he had interviewed state President V.Vike-Freiberga. The journalist is producing series of TV shows inviting for them the presidents of different countries. M.Gusmanov praises Presidents ability to stand for her views and sense to feel communication partner. talks with ITAR-TASS journalist M.Gusmanov after he had interviewed state President V.Vike-Freiberga. The journalist is producing series of TV shows inviting for them the presidents of different countries. M.Gusmanov praises President’s ability to stand for her views and sense to feel communication partner.