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 President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Monday presented credentials to Latvian ambassador to the United Nations, Gints Jegermanis, wishing him success in the new office.

BNS

Scheduled political consultations between Latvia and Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday in Kiev are set to touch upon bilateral relations, possible co-operation towards European integration, as well as co-operation between the Baltic and Black Sea regions. The Latvian Foreign ministry reported that state secretary Maris Riekstins and his Ukrainian counterpart Yuriy Sergeyev will be meeting in the capital of Ukraine and plan to exchange opinions on world current affairs, as well as sign a joint statement in conclusion of the consultations. BNS, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on a state visit in Spain from October 24 to October 29, LETA learned at the President's Press Service. President's Press Service reports that the president will participate in an international conference on transformation and consolidation of democracy in Madrid on October 26 and October 27 at the invitation of Spanish King Juan Carlos I.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on a state visit in Spain from October 24 to October 29, LETA learned at the President's Press Service. President's Press Service reports that the president will participate in an international conference on transformation and consolidation of democracy in Madrid on October 26 and October 27 at the invitation of Spanish King Juan Carlos I. LETA

The Centre for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Centre) will hold its fifth annual NGO forum at the Riga Latvian Society House on October 26. Several hundred NGO representatives attend the forum every year. This year, forum participants will become acquainted with new draft projects, which would regulate the NGO sector in the future, and the further development of organisations. Prime Minister Andris Berzins is scheduled to address the forum, as well as Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins, NGO Centre Director Kaija Gertnere, creators of the draft bill and businessmen.

The Centre for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Centre) will hold its fifth annual NGO forum at the Riga Latvian Society House on October 26. Several hundred NGO representatives attend the forum every year. This year, forum participants will become acquainted with new draft projects, which would regulate the NGO sector in the future, and the further development of organisations. Prime Minister Andris Berzins is scheduled to address the forum, as well as Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins, NGO Centre Director Kaija Gertnere, creators of the draft bill and businessmen. LETA

Einars Repse promises introduction of tuition fees at universities. Repse’s to-be political party Jaunais laiks (New Era) presented its program’s chapter on education. It says that university education is not directly financed by the state; the state guarantees loans for studies at universities and colleges founded by the state or legal entities, says NRA. Whereas B&B; says that non-citizens are not included into the project.

Einars Repse promises introduction of tuition fees at universities. Repses to-be political party Jaunais laiks (New Era) presented its programs chapter on education. It says that university education is not directly financed by the state; the state guarantees loans for studies at universities and colleges founded by the state or legal entities, says NRA. Whereas B&B says that non-citizens are not included into the project. LETA, Diena, Neatkariga

Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar has announced that staying of the OSCE Mission is not necessary any longer, and it rather harms the country instead of bringing any good. Parliamentary ruling coalition deputies proposed last to abolish the norm that candidates for the parliament and local governments had to know the Estonian language. Laar pointed out that if the Parliament took this decision, the OSCE Mission would leave the country. “Dragging on of the discussion of this decision will mean that OSCE Mission will continue its activities in Estonia to joy for all our enemies,” stressed Laar. “It is clear that a state with developed democracy does not need such a mission,” he pointed out. The amendments proposed by a group of deputies envisage abolishing the norm that candidates must have the written and spoken Estonian language. Abolishing the language norm for parliament and local government candidates is one of the goals of the OSCE Mission to Estonia.

Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar has announced that staying of the OSCE Mission is not necessary any longer, and it rather harms the country instead of bringing any good. Parliamentary ruling coalition deputies proposed last to abolish the norm that candidates for the parliament and local governments had to know the Estonian language. Laar pointed out that if the Parliament took this decision, the OSCE Mission would leave the country. Dragging on of the discussion of this decision will mean that OSCE Mission will continue its activities in Estonia to joy for all our enemies, stressed Laar. It is clear that a state with developed democracy does not need such a mission, he pointed out. The amendments proposed by a group of deputies envisage abolishing the norm that candidates must have the written and spoken Estonian language. Abolishing the language norm for parliament and local government candidates is one of the goals of the OSCE Mission to Estonia. Lauku Avize

Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia call to discuss the principles of the program prepared by this organisation at parents’ meetings at schools and support holding the second Latvian parents Conference. The text of the project is available at ASRLSL home page

Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia call to discuss the principles of the program prepared by this organisation at parents meetings at schools and support holding the second Latvian parents Conference. The text of the project is available at ASRLSL home page www.lashor.lv and at www.chas-daily.com/lashor. The first such meeting took place in Venspils. There were also present the representatives of ASRLSL, Consultative Council on Non-citizen Affairs and the Head of Education Department of Venspils City Council. Discussing the project nobody objected that they have to know the Latvian language but stated that currently offered programs did not ensure the language knowledge on the necessary level. Chas

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science informs about the regular meeting of the Consultative Council on National Minorities Education Issues. Three main issues of the agenda were: 1) experts’ decision on the draft amendments to the education law proposed by the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia envisaging abolishing the norm that from January 1, 2004 all tuition at secondary schools had to be in the Latvian language; 2) consideration of the proposals submitted by I.Pimenov on amendments to the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science No 313 “On the minimal and maximal number of students in a class (group) at education institution founded by the state or local governments; 3) to learn about the education program project submitted by T.Favorska on establishing a Russian national school in Latvia.

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science informs about the regular meeting of the Consultative Council on National Minorities Education Issues. Three main issues of the agenda were: 1) experts decision on the draft amendments to the education law proposed by the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia envisaging abolishing the norm that from January 1, 2004 all tuition at secondary schools had to be in the Latvian language; 2) consideration of the proposals submitted by I.Pimenov on amendments to the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science No 313 On the minimal and maximal number of students in a class (group) at education institution founded by the state or local governments; 3) to learn about the education program project submitted by T.Favorska on establishing a Russian national school in Latvia. Latvijas Vestnesis

Parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia sent to the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs a letter with a request to support the idea for abolishing language limitations for deputy candidates. The faction expressed a hope that top Latvian authorities would help in getting support from the Saeima, and this would favour faster integration of Latvia into the community of democratic states of Europe. At the same time Saeima Social Democrats faction will not support this proposal.

Parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia sent to the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs a letter with a request to support the idea for abolishing language limitations for deputy candidates. The faction expressed a hope that top Latvian authorities would help in getting support from the Saeima, and this would favour faster integration of Latvia into the community of democratic states of Europe. At the same time Saeima Social Democrats faction will not support this proposal. Delfi