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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Without any prior notice to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saeima, Janis Jurkans, the leader of the leftist union PCTVL, held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday. Officials discussed business relations between Latvia and Russia and the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian President stressed that Russians residing in Latvia should know the state language, however, people should not be forced to learn the language by administrative methods. In his turn, Janis Jurkans introduced Vladimir Putin to the key points in his party’s programme regarding the protection of national minorities. After the meeting Janis Jurkans said that “the Russian President knows the situation in Latvia very well and knows what to do to improve relations between the two countries.”

Without any prior notice to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saeima, Janis Jurkans, the leader of the leftist union PCTVL, held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday. Officials discussed business relations between Latvia and Russia and the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian President stressed that Russians residing in Latvia should know the state language, however, people should not be forced to learn the language by administrative methods. In his turn, Janis Jurkans introduced Vladimir Putin to the key points in his partys programme regarding the protection of national minorities. After the meeting Janis Jurkans said that the Russian President knows the situation in Latvia very well and knows what to do to improve relations between the two countries.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga calls on voters to evaluate the meeting and seriously consider what foreign policy they want to be followed “because it will be a very serious decision – whether we continue successfully the implementation of the policy already launched or threaten this way and risk to go back in our development.”

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga calls on voters to evaluate the meeting and seriously consider what foreign policy they want to be followed because it will be a very serious decision – whether we continue successfully the implementation of the policy already launched or threaten this way and risk to go back in our development.

Foreign Affairs Minister Indulis Berzins believes that “opening the Kremlin’s door for Jurkans” is a signal for voters in Latvia as to which party Moscow prefers in the upcoming elections.

Foreign Affairs Minister Indulis Berzins believes that opening the Kremlins door for Jurkans is a signal for voters in Latvia as to which party Moscow prefers in the upcoming elections. Dienas commentary by Askolds Rodins says that this meeting will do no good for Latvia. The Russian-language press says the meeting was successful and that the popularity rating of FHRUL will surge. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

FF/LNNK will hold a meeting with Education Minister Karlis Greiskalns to discuss the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. A representative of FF/LNNK said that “we want to know what the ministry has done to ensure the qualitative switch in 2004.”

FF/LNNK will hold a meeting with Education Minister Karlis Greiskalns to discuss the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. A representative of FF/LNNK said that we want to know what the ministry has done to ensure the qualitative switch in 2004. BNS

Distributor of the programme of Russian Public TV in Latvia, the company “Tem TV,” decided to provide Latvian subtitles for one of the soap operas aired by Russia’s Public TV.

Distributor of the programme of Russian Public TV in Latvia, the company Tem TV, decided to provide Latvian subtitles for one of the soap operas aired by Russias Public TV. BNS

Panorama Latvii

reports that the campaign Non-elections is completed. About 5,000 people took part in the campaign and the most popular party is FHRUL. The newspaper will provide more detailed results of the campaign in future editions. reports that the campaign “Non-elections” is completed. About 5,000 people took part in the campaign and the most popular party is FHRUL. The newspaper will provide more detailed results of the campaign in future editions.