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

Latvian-Russian relations are "normal" but Latvia still has not solved some problems of concern to Russia such as treatment of non-citizens, said Russian ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov. After the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins on Wednesday, Studennikov told reporters that Latvia had failed to improve the situation of non-citizens and to simplify naturalisation procedures. "On one hand, positive decisions have been made, such as lowering the naturalisation fee and recognition of Grade 9 Latvian language exam results valid for the naturalisation tests, .... On the other hand, ... the oral history exam was replaced by a written and more difficult test," said the Russian ambassador. At the talks with the Latvian premier, Studennikov pointed out the need to pay more attention to social and humanitarian issues, to step up co-operation between Russian and Latvian education ministries as regards mutual recognition of university diplomas, reported the premier's press service. When talking to the Russian ambassador, Berzins said that Latvia submitted lists of burial sites required to draft an agreement about cemeteries in May 1999 while no such documents from Russia have been received to date. Berzins and Studennikov also discussed the possibility to open a Latvian consulate in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. Such consulate could be opened in the nearest future as soon as all formalities are settled by the governments of both countries, reported the Latvian premier's press service. The Latvian premier and Russian ambassador agreed that bilateral relations were developing along positive lines, especially in economic co-operation. Many issues will be solved if the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission steps up its activities. Diena, Lauku Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Latvian-Russian relations are "normal" but Latvia still has not solved some problems of concern to Russia such as treatment of non-citizens, said Russian ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov. After the meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins on Wednesday, Studennikov told reporters that Latvia had failed to improve the situation of non-citizens and to simplify naturalisation procedures. "On one hand, positive decisions have been made, such as lowering the naturalisation fee and recognition of Grade 9 Latvian language exam results valid for the naturalisation tests, .... On the other hand, ... the oral history exam was replaced by a written and more difficult test," said the Russian ambassador. At the talks with the Latvian premier, Studennikov pointed out the need to pay more attention to social and humanitarian issues, to step up co-operation between Russian and Latvian education ministries as regards mutual recognition of university diplomas, reported the premier's press service. When talking to the Russian ambassador, Berzins said that Latvia submitted lists of burial sites required to draft an agreement about cemeteries in May 1999 while no such documents from Russia have been received to date. Berzins and Studennikov also discussed the possibility to open a Latvian consulate in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. Such consulate could be opened in the nearest future as soon as all formalities are settled by the governments of both countries, reported the Latvian premier's press service. The Latvian premier and Russian ambassador agreed that bilateral relations were developing along positive lines, especially in economic co-operation. Many issues will be solved if the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission steps up its activities. Diena, Lauku Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

The Moscow City delegation cancelled its visit after one of the delegation members, Alexander Perelygin, was refused a visa on grounds of a previous refusal last November, deeming him persona non grata for entry to Latvia. Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins has said that the Moscow delegation's cancellation was a rash. Berzins said that Latvia has always been interested in good relations with its neighbours, and that an important corner stone of such relations is co-operation between capital cities. He also emphasised that good neighbourly relations is one of Latvia's foreign policy priorities and that Latvia has always expressed readiness for constructive dialogue with its neighbours, including Russia. Government coalition party Latvian Way parliament faction chairwoman Kristiana Libane told BNS that it is hard to speak of the influence of this fact, as there has been no such precedent case, but said that as Riga has had no such co-operative agreement with any Russian city, "therefore we will live as we have until now." People's Party Riga City Council faction leader, Edmunds Krastins, said that the cancellation of the Moscow delegation's visit would not effect Riga-Moscow or Latvian-Russian relations, adding that "they will stay as they are." For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK parliament faction chairman, Vents Balodis, told BNS that such action is a political act on Moscow's behalf, emphasising that if one is not permitted entrance, then the rest will not come either. Chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, Juris Bojars told that the refusal to issue a visa to Perelygin is yet another foolishness and even provocation aimed against the social democrats, as it is the social democrats working towards improving relations between Riga and Moscow. Left-wing union For Human Rights in a United Latvia parliament faction chairman, Janis Jurkans, told BNS that the government, by refusing a visa to one of the delegation members, new that the rest would not come either. Jurkans believes that this could have a bad effect on mutual relations. Riga City Mayor Gundars Bojars is worried that the Moscow delegation's cancellation could threat co-operation between Riga and Moscow. The Riga City Council received an official cancellation from Moscow on Wednesday announcing that the Moscow City Council delegation will not beattending the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations this weekend after a visa rejection for Moscow Mayor Advisor, Alexander Perelygin. Latvia's Foreign Ministry has urged the Moscow City Council to review the cancellation of its delegation attending the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations, emphasising that the visa refusal for a Moscow Mayor advisor, Alexander Perelygin, is neither a political, nor nationalistic gesture. Latvia's Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told that "This [Moscow] reaction is very emotional and we would urge it be reviewed and, nevertheless, attend the events." Riekstins emphasised that the decision to refuse Perelygin a visa was "according to Latvia's regulating documents" and is "in no way" related to co-operation between Riga and Moscow, which is supported by the Foreign Ministry.

The Moscow City delegation cancelled its visit after one of the delegation members, Alexander Perelygin, was refused a visa on grounds of a previous refusal last November, deeming him persona non grata for entry to Latvia. Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins has said that the Moscow delegation's cancellation was a rash. Berzins said that Latvia has always been interested in good relations with its neighbours, and that an important corner stone of such relations is co-operation between capital cities. He also emphasised that good neighbourly relations is one of Latvia's foreign policy priorities and that Latvia has always expressed readiness for constructive dialogue with its neighbours, including Russia. Government coalition party Latvian Way parliament faction chairwoman Kristiana Libane told BNS that it is hard to speak of the influence of this fact, as there has been no such precedent case, but said that as Riga has had no such co-operative agreement with any Russian city, "therefore we will live as we have until now." People's Party Riga City Council faction leader, Edmunds Krastins, said that the cancellation of the Moscow delegation's visit would not effect Riga-Moscow or Latvian-Russian relations, adding that "they will stay as they are." For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK parliament faction chairman, Vents Balodis, told BNS that such action is a political act on Moscow's behalf, emphasising that if one is not permitted entrance, then the rest will not come either. Chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, Juris Bojars told that the refusal to issue a visa to Perelygin is yet another foolishness and even provocation aimed against the social democrats, as it is the social democrats working towards improving relations between Riga and Moscow. Left-wing union For Human Rights in a United Latvia parliament faction chairman, Janis Jurkans, told BNS that the government, by refusing a visa to one of the delegation members, new that the rest would not come either. Jurkans believes that this could have a bad effect on mutual relations. Riga City Mayor Gundars Bojars is worried that the Moscow delegation's cancellation could threat co-operation between Riga and Moscow. The Riga City Council received an official cancellation from Moscow on Wednesday announcing that the Moscow City Council delegation will not beattending the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations this weekend after a visa rejection for Moscow Mayor Advisor, Alexander Perelygin. Latvia's Foreign Ministry has urged the Moscow City Council to review the cancellation of its delegation attending the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations, emphasising that the visa refusal for a Moscow Mayor advisor, Alexander Perelygin, is neither a political, nor nationalistic gesture. Latvia's Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told that "This [Moscow] reaction is very emotional and we would urge it be reviewed and, nevertheless, attend the events." Riekstins emphasised that the decision to refuse Perelygin a visa was "according to Latvia's regulating documents" and is "in no way" related to co-operation between Riga and Moscow, which is supported by the Foreign Ministry. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

In comparison to June in July the number of applications to receive citizenship through naturalisation has grown – 386 applications in June and 636 in July. Naturalisation Board explains that with summer time, as well as already in spring there were rumours that the state fee for naturalisation would be lowered, so people just waited.

Diena, Respublika

Chas

editorial looks at the issue concerning transfer of secondary education of national minorities to the state language in 2004. In his opinion, Latvian mass media either does not provide any information about this problem or gives a totally wrong picture. Chas columnist L.Fedoseyev writes first of all, Latvians themselves should be against this change in 2004, as then it could occur that, for example, in Daugavpils in the class of 30 pupils only 5 of them are Latvians, because non-Latvians usually live very compactly. editorial looks at the issue concerning transfer of secondary education of national minorities to the state language in 2004. In his opinion, Latvian mass media either does not provide any information about this problem or gives a totally wrong picture. Chas columnist L.Fedoseyev writes “first of all, Latvians themselves should be against this change in 2004, as then it could occur that, for example, in Daugavpils in the class of 30 pupils only 5 of them are Latvians, because non-Latvians usually live very compactly”.

Respublika

provides some excerpts of the article What to Do With the New Russia by H.Kissinger published in provides some excerpts of the article “What to Do With the New Russia” by H.Kissinger published in Washington Post.Washington Post. Kissinger looks at Russian American relations from the perspective of NATO expansion to the Baltic countries. Kissinger looks at Russian American relations from the perspective of NATO expansion to the Baltic countries.