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

During his meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga yesterday, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus discussed developments in the social integration processes in Latvia. The officials discussed issues pertaining to education reform. As the OSCE Commissioner said after his meeting with the President, the necessity to change laws pertaining to Saeima and local government elections were discussed as well as the course of integration processes in the state. Ekeus admitted that the situation with integration of minorities in Latvia has improved, singling out the campaign of informing potential citizens on the possibilities of receiving citizenship.

During his meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga yesterday, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus discussed developments in the social integration processes in Latvia. The officials discussed issues pertaining to education reform. As the OSCE Commissioner said after his meeting with the President, the necessity to change laws pertaining to Saeima and local government elections were discussed as well as the course of integration processes in the state. Ekeus admitted that the situation with integration of minorities in Latvia has improved, singling out the campaign of informing potential citizens on the possibilities of receiving citizenship. Diena emphasizes that regarding granting of voting rights to non-citizens at local government elections, Ekeus pointed out that the OSCE would not interfere in this matter since it is domestic policy matter. The Commissioner admitted that democracy is continuously developing worldwide therefore new requirements come into existence, however, he did not specify what new requirements would be set for Latvia. Rolf Ekeus also met with the State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite and agreed on possible co-operation in the future. The Commissioner voiced his support to Commissions work and its individual projects, which could receive support from the OSCE. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Neatkariga, Vecernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas

Latvijas Vestnesis

publishes a brief interview with the President regarding her meeting with the HCNM and the discussed topics. publishes a brief interview with the President regarding her meeting with the HCNM and the discussed topics. During his meeting with visiting OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus yesterday, Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns informed the guest about reforms in the education sector in Latvia since restoration of independence and measures for transition to the Latvian language as the language of instruction in the school system as of 2004. Greiskalns pointed out that serious work has been done to guarantee the transition to the state language as the instruction language. Four alternative programs have been drawn up for minority schools that would provide an opportunity for schools to work out their own programs. The Consultative Council for minority’s educational issues has been set up to debate problems with bilingual education. The minister stressed that teachers are being prepared also for work after the transition period. In Greiskalns’ view, successful transition to the Latvian language as the instruction language is possible through implementation of the state language program. The minister expressed gratitude for foreign support for operation of the program by allotting financial assistance for it.

During his meeting with visiting OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus yesterday, Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns informed the guest about reforms in the education sector in Latvia since restoration of independence and measures for transition to the Latvian language as the language of instruction in the school system as of 2004. Greiskalns pointed out that serious work has been done to guarantee the transition to the state language as the instruction language. Four alternative programs have been drawn up for minority schools that would provide an opportunity for schools to work out their own programs. The Consultative Council for minoritys educational issues has been set up to debate problems with bilingual education. The minister stressed that teachers are being prepared also for work after the transition period. In Greiskalns view, successful transition to the Latvian language as the instruction language is possible through implementation of the state language program. The minister expressed gratitude for foreign support for operation of the program by allotting financial assistance for it. LETA

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who was on a one-day visit to Riga yesterday, told a press conference last evening following his meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, that Spain, as the European Union presiding nation, will do everything to facilitate the EU enlargement process and the final decision-making on new members. Aznar commended Latvia's achievements in its move to the EU, and encouraged Latvian government to carry on the good work. According to Aznar, the negotiations will be successful if both sides have the political will to continue the accession process. In commenting on the EU enlargement and Latvia’s progress, Aznar spoke about the agricultural quota issue at length, and about Latvia's progress in protecting the rights of ethnic minorities. Whereas Berzins said that the matter of amendments to the election laws had not been discussed with Aznar.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who was on a one-day visit to Riga yesterday, told a press conference last evening following his meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, that Spain, as the European Union presiding nation, will do everything to facilitate the EU enlargement process and the final decision-making on new members. Aznar commended Latvia's achievements in its move to the EU, and encouraged Latvian government to carry on the good work. According to Aznar, the negotiations will be successful if both sides have the political will to continue the accession process. In commenting on the EU enlargement and Latvias progress, Aznar spoke about the agricultural quota issue at length, and about Latvia's progress in protecting the rights of ethnic minorities. Whereas Berzins said that the matter of amendments to the election laws had not been discussed with Aznar. Latvijas Vestnesis

In an annual report on observation of human rights, that the U.S. Department of State released Monday, Latvia’s courts have received harsh criticism – judges were called poorly educated, inefficient and corruptible. Child prostitution and trafficking in human beings are also mentioned as problems, as well as violence against women and discrimination in the work place.

In an annual report on observation of human rights, that the U.S. Department of State released Monday, Latvias courts have received harsh criticism – judges were called poorly educated, inefficient and corruptible. Child prostitution and trafficking in human beings are also mentioned as problems, as well as violence against women and discrimination in the work place. Diena says that the United States has also pointed to these problems in the past years. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center director Nils MuiÅ£nieks is surprised that the report does not mention the language policy issue which is so important for Latvia, as well as there is no reference to the rights of social risk groups, including mentally disabled persons. The authors of the report suggested that Latvia should keep up efforts of social integration and naturalization. Dine, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

The Government accepted the regulations on the spelling of foreign names in the Latvian language. The regulations provide for the adoption of personal names in foreign languages to the Latvian language in accordance with Latvian grammar and spelling rules.

The Government accepted the regulations on the spelling of foreign names in the Latvian language. The regulations provide for the adoption of personal names in foreign languages to the Latvian language in accordance with Latvian grammar and spelling rules. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Telegraf

The Latvian Government will continue discussions with the Russian Government concerning social security agreement between the two countries. Latvia is going to agree with Russia’s proposal to consider the years, which non-citizens have worked outside the territory of Latvia up to 1991, when calculating the amount of their pensions.

The Latvian Government will continue discussions with the Russian Government concerning social security agreement between the two countries. Latvia is going to agree with Russias proposal to consider the years, which non-citizens have worked outside the territory of Latvia up to 1991, when calculating the amount of their pensions. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

Russian politicians have voiced criticism regarding situation of national minorities in Latvia at the session of Baltic Sea states. Russia stated that this year “international observers and Russian politicians are expecting more energetic impulses [from Latvia] to improve the situation of national minorities in the region”. Russian politicians also voiced concern about the statements of Latvian foreign affairs minister about Russia as a possible provocateur.

Russian politicians have voiced criticism regarding situation of national minorities in Latvia at the session of Baltic Sea states. Russia stated that this year international observers and Russian politicians are expecting more energetic impulses [from Latvia] to improve the situation of national minorities in the region. Russian politicians also voiced concern about the statements of Latvian foreign affairs minister about Russia as a possible provocateur. Panorama Latvii, Telegraf

Chas argues against the conclusions of international experts that Latvia does not have any problems in the field of national minorities and citizenship issues. The newspaper publishes the list of “anti-integration measures” taken by the Government and politicians.

Chas argues against the conclusions of international experts that Latvia does not have any problems in the field of national minorities and citizenship issues. The newspaper publishes the list of anti-integration measures taken by the Government and politicians.

The Union of Russian NGOs is against the agreement of “the five” concerning the amendments to the Constitution in order to secure the status of the state language. The Union will develop and submit the call against the amendments to the Latvian President, the OSCE, EC and even NATO.

The Union of Russian NGOs is against the agreement of the five concerning the amendments to the Constitution in order to secure the status of the state language. The Union will develop and submit the call against the amendments to the Latvian President, the OSCE, EC and even NATO. Chas