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

The Mayors of the Latvian and Russian capitals signed a co-operational agreement in Moscow on Thursday. An agreement on co-operation in educational issues was also signed by respective educational co-operation representatives from both cities. The co-operational agreement foresees long-term co-operation with both cities contributing towards expanding trade and economic ties, securing mutually beneficial regulations for joint production and economic activities, commercial activities and so on.

The Mayors of the Latvian and Russian capitals signed a co-operational agreement in Moscow on Thursday. An agreement on co-operation in educational issues was also signed by respective educational co-operation representatives from both cities. The co-operational agreement foresees long-term co-operation with both cities contributing towards expanding trade and economic ties, securing mutually beneficial regulations for joint production and economic activities, commercial activities and so on. Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

The minister of education says that “the agreement on education issues is premature and cannot be viewed as a considered step as there is no co-operation agreement on the government level.”.

The minister of education says that the agreement on education issues is premature and cannot be viewed as a considered step as there is no co-operation agreement on the government level.. Diena

Belgium EU Presidency adopted the statement where it welcomes the initiative of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to abolish language requirement for election candidates suggested by the Latvian President.

Belgium EU Presidency adopted the statement where it welcomes the initiative of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to abolish language requirement for election candidates suggested by the Latvian President. Diena

Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Friday will meet OSCE Mission to Latvia head in Latvia Peter Semneby to discuss implementation of guidelines under the mission's mandate and Latvia's opinion on the matter. Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told that the meeting is planned with due regard to expected decision Dec. 20 by the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on the mission's further fate.

Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Friday will meet OSCE Mission to Latvia head in Latvia Peter Semneby to discuss implementation of guidelines under the mission's mandate and Latvia's opinion on the matter. Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told that the meeting is planned with due regard to expected decision Dec. 20 by the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on the mission's further fate. Vesti Segodnja

Yesterday the standing council at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) made a decision in Vienna that the authority of the OSCE Mission to Estonia should not be prolonged and backed closing the OSCE mission in Estonia as of December 31. Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves praised the decision pointing out that Estonia had made strides over many years in order to fully harmonise its legislation to meet international norms. During the OSCE meeting in Vienna, the head of the mission, Ambassador Doris Hertrampf informed about positive changes in Estonia over the past year. Hertrampf stressed that she believes that the OSCE Mission fulfilled its tasks and her stance was backed by numerous delegates from various countries, including the U.S. and European Union. The EU statement declares that EU completely backs a proposal of the OSCE mission head on closing the mission in Estonia.

Yesterday the standing council at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) made a decision in Vienna that the authority of the OSCE Mission to Estonia should not be prolonged and backed closing the OSCE mission in Estonia as of December 31. Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves praised the decision pointing out that Estonia had made strides over many years in order to fully harmonise its legislation to meet international norms. During the OSCE meeting in Vienna, the head of the mission, Ambassador Doris Hertrampf informed about positive changes in Estonia over the past year. Hertrampf stressed that she believes that the OSCE Mission fulfilled its tasks and her stance was backed by numerous delegates from various countries, including the U.S. and European Union. The EU statement declares that EU completely backs a proposal of the OSCE mission head on closing the mission in Estonia. Diena, Neatkariga

Chas provides the comments of Latvian foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins who congratulates the Estonians with the well done job.

Chas provides the comments of Latvian foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins who congratulates the Estonians with the well done job.

FF/LNNK member Dzintars Rasnacs comments on the article “The Closure of the OSCE Mission and Domestic Tasks” by Nils Muiznieks and Ilze Brands-Kehris in

FF/LNNK member Dzintars Rasnacs comments on the article The Closure of the OSCE Mission and Domestic Tasks by Nils Muiznieks and Ilze Brands-Kehris in Neatkariga 11.12.2001. Rasnacs concludes that the authors lack any knowledge of the Latvian legislation and hierarchy of legal norms. Neatkariga

Latvia’s Russian-speaking population should not hope that the Russian language will ever become the state language in Latvia and become equal to Latvian, or that they will be represented in governing bodies in proportion to the number of residents. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga made this statement at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva yesterday. In answering a question by an ITAR-TASS correspondent if Latvia plans on adopting Switzerland’s model where the languages of ethnic minorities - French, Italian and Romanisch - have been recognised as national languages along with German, and where various ethnic minorities are extensively represented in government, the president said "No, we will not do so". In Latvia, Russian-speakers make about 40 percent of the entire population. It is much more than the proportion of ethnic minorities in Switzerland that each has its national language - 18 percent speak French, 12 percent - Italian, 1 percent - Romanisch. In commenting on the reasons why Russian cannot be designated a national language and why Russian-speakers cannot be proportionally represented in government, Vike-Freiberga mentioned Latvia and Switzerland's varying histories and unique characteristics. According to the president, Russians in Latvia cannot expect the same rights as minorities in Switzerland, as the current language situation only developed after World War II, when Latvia experienced an influx of people from other regions of the USSR while many Latvians were deported.

Latvias Russian-speaking population should not hope that the Russian language will ever become the state language in Latvia and become equal to Latvian, or that they will be represented in governing bodies in proportion to the number of residents. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga made this statement at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva yesterday. In answering a question by an ITAR-TASS correspondent if Latvia plans on adopting Switzerlands model where the languages of ethnic minorities - French, Italian and Romanisch - have been recognised as national languages along with German, and where various ethnic minorities are extensively represented in government, the president said "No, we will not do so". In Latvia, Russian-speakers make about 40 percent of the entire population. It is much more than the proportion of ethnic minorities in Switzerland that each has its national language - 18 percent speak French, 12 percent - Italian, 1 percent - Romanisch. In commenting on the reasons why Russian cannot be designated a national language and why Russian-speakers cannot be proportionally represented in government, Vike-Freiberga mentioned Latvia and Switzerland's varying histories and unique characteristics. According to the president, Russians in Latvia cannot expect the same rights as minorities in Switzerland, as the current language situation only developed after World War II, when Latvia experienced an influx of people from other regions of the USSR while many Latvians were deported. Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnja

writes about TV discussion What Is Going On in Latvia?, which main discussion subject was language requirement for election candidates. Parliament members of FF/LNNK, Peoples Party, FHRUL, State Language Centre director Dz.Hirsa, Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre director Nils Muiznieks. FF/LNNK and Peoples Party members assured that they are not going to change their stance and will not support the initiative of the President. The TV show was aired by the National TV channel Tuesday night. writes about TV discussion “What Is Going On in Latvia?”, which main discussion subject was language requirement for election candidates. Parliament members of FF/LNNK, People’s Party, FHRUL, State Language Centre director Dz.Hirsa, Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre director Nils Muiznieks. FF/LNNK and People’s Party members assured that they are not going to change their stance and will not support the initiative of the President. The TV show was aired by the National TV channel Tuesday night.

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews Society Integration Foundation Board Chairperson Ramona Umblija. She is asked about the sources of funds, tasks, projects and future of Society Integration Foundation. interviews Society Integration Foundation Board Chairperson Ramona Umblija. She is asked about the sources of funds, tasks, projects and future of Society Integration Foundation.