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

Newspapers provide information about the visit and meetings of Estonian foreign affairs minister Ilves. One of the main discussion subjects was the closure of the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia at the end of this year. Latvian and Estonian foreign ministers agreed that it would be an affirmation to successful co-operation of the two countries with this organisation. Latvia and Estonia hope the OSCE mission in the two countries would be closed by the end of the year and, the OSCE presiding country Romania has been notified about it. Although the mission in Latvia has completed all guidelines under its mandate the head of the OSCE mission in Latvia, Peter Semneby, so far has been evasive concerning the mission closure at the end of the year. The Estonian foreign minister informed that Estonia hopes to adopt the amendments to the Election Law and thus Estonia will be ready for the closure of the OSCE Mission, and their election law will be in compliance with international law.

Newspapers provide information about the visit and meetings of Estonian foreign affairs minister Ilves. One of the main discussion subjects was the closure of the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia at the end of this year. Latvian and Estonian foreign ministers agreed that it would be an affirmation to successful co-operation of the two countries with this organisation. Latvia and Estonia hope the OSCE mission in the two countries would be closed by the end of the year and, the OSCE presiding country Romania has been notified about it. Although the mission in Latvia has completed all guidelines under its mandate the head of the OSCE mission in Latvia, Peter Semneby, so far has been evasive concerning the mission closure at the end of the year. The Estonian foreign minister informed that Estonia hopes to adopt the amendments to the Election Law and thus Estonia will be ready for the closure of the OSCE Mission, and their election law will be in compliance with international law.

Latvian president and Estonian foreign minister in a meeting in Riga discussed future of the state language in Latvia and Estonia and the possibilities to retain national identity. The issue of retaining national identity also was discussed concerning movement of Latvia and Estonia to the European Union and NATO. The officials also discussed latest developments in NATO enlargement and agreed the Baltic states in the alliance enlargement process are marked with "very clear and convincing progress".

Latvian president and Estonian foreign minister in a meeting in Riga discussed future of the state language in Latvia and Estonia and the possibilities to retain national identity. The issue of retaining national identity also was discussed concerning movement of Latvia and Estonia to the European Union and NATO. The officials also discussed latest developments in NATO enlargement and agreed the Baltic states in the alliance enlargement process are marked with "very clear and convincing progress".

Ilves also met Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Among other discussion issues they also touched on several issues of bilateral relations as well as the expected OSCE mission closure in Latvia and Estonia.

Ilves also met Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Among other discussion issues they also touched on several issues of bilateral relations as well as the expected OSCE mission closure in Latvia and Estonia. Diena, BNS, Neatkariga, Chas, Latvijas Vestnesis

Although the EU candidate countries progress reports outline the works that still should be done, the progress achieved by these countries excels all hopes, European Commission president said. Regarding Latvia the EC wants to see better results in the following fields: society integration and regional strengthening policy. The EC assessment to society integration process in Latvia: positive assessment is given to the easements in naturalisation procedure introduced last year, the top priority remains the provision of information to public. The EC voices УLatvia keeps fulfilling all OSCE recommendations concerning naturalisation and citizenshipФ. In regard to education reform in 2004 the EC notes that Уthe care should be taken to ensure that the quality of education does not suffer and the usage of minority languages at schools will remain as broad as possible. The EC also warns, Уliberal attitude towards the State Language Law will be of particular importance in the context of LatviaТs accession to the EUФ. Also it is recommended to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minorities.

Although the EU candidate countries progress reports outline the works that still should be done, the progress achieved by these countries excels all hopes, European Commission president said. Regarding Latvia the EC wants to see better results in the following fields: society integration and regional strengthening policy. The EC assessment to society integration process in Latvia: positive assessment is given to the easements in naturalisation procedure introduced last year, the top priority remains the provision of information to public. The EC voices УLatvia keeps fulfilling all OSCE recommendations concerning naturalisation and citizenshipФ. In regard to education reform in 2004 the EC notes that Уthe care should be taken to ensure that the quality of education does not suffer and the usage of minority languages at schools will remain as broad as possible. The EC also warns, Уliberal attitude towards the State Language Law will be of particular importance in the context of LatviaТs accession to the EUФ. Also it is recommended to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minorities. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Latvijas Vestnesis

УThe EC progress report on Latvia is an accurate reflection of the situation in the country, the document being more technical than the progress reports of previous years,Ф said the Latvian foreign minister. УLatvia is pleased over the European Commission favourable opinion about the countryТs progress in human rights and protection of minority rights, that is, the adoption and implementation of Society Integration Program, easier naturalisation process, activities to strengthen the National Human Rights Office, continuation of the National Programme of Latvian Language LearningФ, added the minister.

УThe EC progress report on Latvia is an accurate reflection of the situation in the country, the document being more technical than the progress reports of previous years,Ф said the Latvian foreign minister. УLatvia is pleased over the European Commission favourable opinion about the countryТs progress in human rights and protection of minority rights, that is, the adoption and implementation of Society Integration Program, easier naturalisation process, activities to strengthen the National Human Rights Office, continuation of the National Programme of Latvian Language LearningФ, added the minister. Latvijas Vestnesis

The Latvian PM Andris Berzins said that the EC progress report on Latvia contained several very "vital political signals" to Latvia. "The Commission report on Latvia give us assurance that we are among those candidates, who will be ready to complete the talks over next year. In this respect the conclusion that Latvia is in compliance with all the OSCE guidelines concerning citizenship and minorities carries special political importance," stated Berzins.

The Latvian PM Andris Berzins said that the EC progress report on Latvia contained several very "vital political signals" to Latvia. "The Commission report on Latvia give us assurance that we are among those candidates, who will be ready to complete the talks over next year. In this respect the conclusion that Latvia is in compliance with all the OSCE guidelines concerning citizenship and minorities carries special political importance," stated Berzins. Latvijas Vestnesis, BNS

УLatvia could abolish state language proficiency requirements for election candidates who acquired citizenship after 1991Ф was the proposal of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby in his meeting with Saeima Vice Speaker R.Pоks. P.Semneby was concerned that if the existing requirements for candidates to know the state language on the highest level remain in the Election Law, Latvia could have problems in the EU and NATO pre-accession period so important for Latvia. R.Pоks said that Latvia is ready to introduce amendments to the Election Law, but it should not rush with any decision. However, P.Semneby voiced confidence that the closure of the OSCE Mission is feasible at the end of the yearФ.

УLatvia could abolish state language proficiency requirements for election candidates who acquired citizenship after 1991Ф was the proposal of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby in his meeting with Saeima Vice Speaker R.Pоks. P.Semneby was concerned that if the existing requirements for candidates to know the state language on the highest level remain in the Election Law, Latvia could have problems in the EU and NATO pre-accession period so important for Latvia. R.Pоks said that Latvia is ready to introduce amendments to the Election Law, but it should not rush with any decision. However, P.Semneby voiced confidence that the closure of the OSCE Mission is feasible at the end of the yearФ. Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis, BNS, LETA

Telegraf adds Уit seems that Latvian ethnic radicals do not care about the OSCE. Already at the next session of the ruling coalition [more stringent] proposals of FF/LNNK regarding amendments to the regulations on the language usage are going to be reviewedФ.

Telegraf adds Уit seems that Latvian ethnic radicals do not care about the OSCE. Already at the next session of the ruling coalition [more stringent] proposals of FF/LNNK regarding amendments to the regulations on the language usage are going to be reviewedФ.

The columnist of

The columnist of Telegraf writes that it is so surprising that Latvia being so concerned with high state language proficiency requirements do not have national policy on teaching the Latvian language. He writes Уthe projects implemented by the Naturalisation Board could be considered something close to national policy, however, the projects are paid by the international organisations, mainly the OSCE and United Nations.

The Latvian government Tuesday sacked Janis Naglis, the longstanding head of the Latvian Privatization Agency (LPA), for procedural violations. Nine ministers from the PeopleТs Party and TB/LNNK voted for dismissing Naglis, ministers of LatviaТs Way were against. Naglis believes that his dismissal was due to a political agreement between two parties, while Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that the move could be linked to the pre-election period. LPA director "due to confidentiality" cannot even learn what violations were the reasons for his dismissal. Naglis has headed the LPA since its foundation in 1994, surviving several previous attempts to remove him from this position. So far every motion to fire Naglis had resulted in a government crisis with three economics ministers and a premier stepping down with Naglis remaining in charge of the agency.

The Latvian government Tuesday sacked Janis Naglis, the longstanding head of the Latvian Privatization Agency (LPA), for procedural violations. Nine ministers from the PeopleТs Party and TB/LNNK voted for dismissing Naglis, ministers of LatviaТs Way were against. Naglis believes that his dismissal was due to a political agreement between two parties, while Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that the move could be linked to the pre-election period. LPA director "due to confidentiality" cannot even learn what violations were the reasons for his dismissal. Naglis has headed the LPA since its foundation in 1994, surviving several previous attempts to remove him from this position. So far every motion to fire Naglis had resulted in a government crisis with three economics ministers and a premier stepping down with Naglis remaining in charge of the agency. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii.

Wednesday the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber will hear arguments by parties in the case of a former Russian military versus Latvia. The family of the Russian army ex-officer Slivenko has sued Latvia over violation of their right to privacy by searching their apartment in Riga and subsequently deporting the family, said the human rights court.

Wednesday the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber will hear arguments by parties in the case of a former Russian military versus Latvia. The family of the Russian army ex-officer Slivenko has sued Latvia over violation of their right to privacy by searching their apartment in Riga and subsequently deporting the family, said the human rights court. Diena, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja

Both Naturalisation Board head E.Aldermane and DCMA deputy head J.Lejiтр admitted that it is possible to buy a Latvian passport but it is not possible to buy it at the above mentioned institutions and it is not possible to buy Latvian citizenship.

Both Naturalisation Board head E.Aldermane and DCMA deputy head J.Lejiтр admitted that it is possible to buy a Latvian passport but it is not possible to buy it at the above mentioned institutions and it is not possible to buy Latvian citizenship. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

Vecernaja Riga

informs about the Public Awareness Campaign, which will be launched by the Naturalisation Board informs about the Public Awareness Campaign, which will be launched by the Naturalisation Board

Chas

publishes an article about the seminar УBilingual Education: Practice and TheoryФ. All inquired principles but one voice that their schools will not have any problems concerning the transfer to the studies in the state language. One principle of Riga school notes that the main problem is the lack of qualified teachers. publishes an article about the seminar УBilingual Education: Practice and TheoryФ. All inquired principles but one voice that their schools will not have any problems concerning the transfer to the studies in the state language. One principle of Riga school notes that the main problem is the lack of qualified teachers.