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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

The new Latvian ambassador to Estonia, Edgars Skuja, on Thursday presented his credentials to Estonian President Arnold Ruutel.

The new Latvian ambassador to Estonia, Edgars Skuja, on Thursday presented his credentials to Estonian President Arnold Ruutel. BNS

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will propose that Saeima amend the parliamentary and municipal election laws if her initiative is supported by the ruling coalition parties. The president has already commented on the election laws' point on state language tests for candidates for Saeima and municipal seats, ruling coalition parties must now come to agreement on the matter, the president told reporters after her meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins today. The government parties are set for a thorough evaluation of the proposed amendments, tomorrow, another meeting of the ruling coalition parties will be held to decide if ruling coalition partners are ready to enhance protection of the Latvian language in the Constitution and lift the requirement in the election laws, Berzins said. Enhancing the status of the state language in the Constitution is good if the ruling coalition parties thus decide and if it diminishes public concern about the state language, the president added. Vike-Freiberga believes however that there already is an effective system in Latvia which provides sufficient protection of the state language, and the people's concern about any threats to the state language are unjustified, the president stressed.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will propose that Saeima amend the parliamentary and municipal election laws if her initiative is supported by the ruling coalition parties. The president has already commented on the election laws' point on state language tests for candidates for Saeima and municipal seats, ruling coalition parties must now come to agreement on the matter, the president told reporters after her meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins today. The government parties are set for a thorough evaluation of the proposed amendments, tomorrow, another meeting of the ruling coalition parties will be held to decide if ruling coalition partners are ready to enhance protection of the Latvian language in the Constitution and lift the requirement in the election laws, Berzins said. Enhancing the status of the state language in the Constitution is good if the ruling coalition parties thus decide and if it diminishes public concern about the state language, the president added. Vike-Freiberga believes however that there already is an effective system in Latvia which provides sufficient protection of the state language, and the people's concern about any threats to the state language are unjustified, the president stressed. LETA

Lauku Avize

interviews the Head of the Naturalization Board E.Aldermane about the consequences on the last scandal with the Boards employees. E.Aldermane thinks that due to those two corrupted people the rest should not walk with lowered heads. Cases with illegally received citizenship are just few, not more than ten, maybe even four or five. And next week the Naturalization Board plans to greet the 50 000th naturalized citizen. interviews the Head of the Naturalization Board E.Aldermane about the consequences on the last scandal with the Board’s employees. E.Aldermane thinks that due to those two corrupted people the rest should not walk with lowered heads. Cases with illegally received citizenship are just few, not more than ten, maybe even four or five. And next week the Naturalization Board plans to greet the 50 000th naturalized citizen. For Human Rights in United Latvia announced a contest of compositions for high school students and their teachers, and the theme is integration of the society (mainly language integration). Compositions will be accepted both in the Latvian and Russian languages.

For Human Rights in United Latvia announced a contest of compositions for high school students and their teachers, and the theme is integration of the society (mainly language integration). Compositions will be accepted both in the Latvian and Russian languages. Chas

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvia has no other option but to integrate into EU and NATO as soon as possible. He is sure that Latvia will be invited to NATO this November in Prague. To ensure this event Latvia will have to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election laws. And this demand was known a long time ago. Also the process of public integration is monitored by Latvia’s Western partners. I.Berzins has come to a conclusion that Russian President V.Putin has changed his position and does not objects Latvia’s joining NATO and assured that in principle Latvia had good relations with Russia.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvia has no other option but to integrate into EU and NATO as soon as possible. He is sure that Latvia will be invited to NATO this November in Prague. To ensure this event Latvia will have to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election laws. And this demand was known a long time ago. Also the process of public integration is monitored by Latvias Western partners. I.Berzins has come to a conclusion that Russian President V.Putin has changed his position and does not objects Latvias joining NATO and assured that in principle Latvia had good relations with Russia. Vesti Segodnya

In Latvia still exist differences in rights not only between citizens and non-citizens but also between citizens and citizens. Yesterday the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia tried to correct the situation by asking to amend the laws on legal profession, public notary office and prosecutor’s office. According to the current legislation only those persons may be employed as assessors in legal profession and public notary offices, who have graduated the Faculty of Law of University of Latvia. MP Y.Pliner called this phenomenon discrimination. There are thousands of young lawyers, who have graduated other higher education institutions. Disregarding this evident fact of discrimination, and the majority just abstained from voting.

In Latvia still exist differences in rights not only between citizens and non-citizens but also between citizens and citizens. Yesterday the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia tried to correct the situation by asking to amend the laws on legal profession, public notary office and prosecutors office. According to the current legislation only those persons may be employed as assessors in legal profession and public notary offices, who have graduated the Faculty of Law of University of Latvia. MP Y.Pliner called this phenomenon discrimination. There are thousands of young lawyers, who have graduated other higher education institutions. Disregarding this evident fact of discrimination, and the majority just abstained from voting. Vesti Segodnya