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.

• Diena interviews head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash
• Chas and Telegraf interview Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Neatkariga talks to Special Task Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Minority class in Latvian secondary school in Ventspils
• FF/LNNK MP suggests not showing people who cannot speak Latvian on the National TV
• Repses party gains in popularity
• Neatkariga interviews general director of the National Radio Dzintris Kolats
• Situation concerning integration and minorities in Latgale
• Article about Ukrainians in Latvia

Diena

interviews head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash. He states that after Latvias accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens will not enjoy the same rights as Latvian citizens, in particular, Latvian non-citizens will not automatically receive rights to work in other EU member states. Non-citizens will not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Countries, however, they will need visas to Great Britain and Ireland. According to Rasbash, one of the most sensitive issues regarding non-citizens and the EU will be the right to vote in municipal elections, as citizens of other EU countries will have the right to participate in municipal elections after residing in Latvia for 6 months, but Latvian non-citizens who have lived in Latvia for decades are not entitled to participate in municipal elections. When asked whether Latvias accession to the EU could motivate Latvian non-citizens to naturalise, Rasbash says that for young and economically active non-citizens it could be good motivation, but older people probably would not be very interested in acquiring Latvian citizenship. interviews head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash. He states that after Latvia’s accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens will not enjoy the same rights as Latvian citizens, in particular, Latvian non-citizens will not automatically receive rights to work in other EU member states. Non-citizens will not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Countries, however, they will need visas to Great Britain and Ireland. According to Rasbash, one of the most sensitive issues regarding non-citizens and the EU will be the right to vote in municipal elections, as citizens of other EU countries will have the right to participate in municipal elections after residing in Latvia for 6 months, but Latvian non-citizens who have lived in Latvia for decades are not entitled to participate in municipal elections. When asked whether Latvia’s accession to the EU could motivate Latvian non-citizens to naturalise, Rasbash says that for young and economically active non-citizens it could be good motivation, but older people probably would not be very interested in acquiring Latvian citizenship.

Chas

and Telegraf interview Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The president was asked what Russian-speakers will gain from Latvias accession to NATO and the EU. The President states that first of all, all Latvian residents will be granted more security and a safer business environment. Vaira Vike-Freiberga stresses that she calls on Latvian non-citizens to naturalise every year. The President also believes that it would be reasonable to designate the Orthodox Christmas a national celebration day in Latvia. Chas. The president was asked what Russian-speakers will gain from Latvia’s accession to NATO and the EU. The President states that first of all, all Latvian residents will be granted more security and a safer business environment. Vaira Vike-Freiberga stresses that she calls on Latvian non-citizens to naturalise every year. The President also believes that it would be reasonable to designate the Orthodox Christmas a national celebration day in Latvia. Chas

Telegraf

asks the Presidents views about the education reform in 2004. She says that the Latvian language skills are weak and that is an additional reason to introduce the reform. She stresses that good Latvian language skills are necessary to work for the government. Regarding the language quotas in the Law on Radio and TV, the President says that this norm was adopted because of political considerations and now the parliament should decide whether to abolish it or not. As the main reason why Latvia has not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities the President says that Latvia has not defined what a national minority is in Latvia. asks the President’s views about the education reform in 2004. She says that the Latvian language skills are weak and that is an additional reason to introduce the reform. She stresses that good Latvian language skills are necessary to work for the government. Regarding the language quotas in the Law on Radio and TV, the President says that this norm was adopted because of political considerations and now the parliament should decide whether to abolish it or not. As the main reason why Latvia has not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities the President says that Latvia has not defined what a national minority is in Latvia.

Neatkariga

talks to Special Task Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks. He states that until now integration was not a priority for any minister. He believes that not only he but also the whole government should call on people to naturalise. However, he warns that prognoses about the possible number of people who would naturalise were too optimistic. Another area of the new ministers work will be related to the EU Race Directive. Muiznieks believes that racial issues are something new for Latvia and will be a challenge for its society. Muiznieks is convinced that neither the Citizenship Law nor the Language Law should be amended, as they are thoroughly harmonised with the EU.. He states that until now integration was not a priority for any minister. He believes that not only he but also the whole government should call on people to naturalise. However, he warns that prognoses about the possible number of people who would naturalise were too optimistic. Another area of the new minister’s work will be related to the EU Race Directive. Muiznieks believes that racial issues are something new for Latvia and will be a challenge for its society. Muiznieks is convinced that neither the Citizenship Law nor the Language Law should be amended, as they are thoroughly harmonised with the EU.

Diena

reports about a pilot project in Ventspils – as of next year, one of Ventspils Latvian secondary schools will have one 10th grade composed only of minority students. reports about a pilot project in Ventspils – as of next year, one of Ventspils Latvian secondary schools will have one 10th grade composed only of minority students. DienaDiena talks to two girls who will graduate the 9th grade in Russian primary school and have decided to study in this minority class. talks to two girls who will graduate the 9th grade in Russian primary school and have decided to study in this minority class. In her letter to general director of the National TV Uldis Grava FF/LNNK MP Inese Vaidere suggests that the National TV should not interview people who do not speak the state language. Grava disagrees with the opinion and is convinced that TV should present opinions of all Latvian residents.

In her letter to general director of the National TV Uldis Grava FF/LNNK MP Inese Vaidere suggests that the National TV should not interview people who do not speak the state language. Grava disagrees with the opinion and is convinced that TV should present opinions of all Latvian residents. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Repse’s party gains in popularity. According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS poll this month 30% of Latvian citizens support the New Era. Sociologist Arnis Kaktins tells Diena that such a high rating is unusual for Latvia, and it indicates that people are supporting Repse’s “strong hand” in cleaning up government.

Repses party gains in popularity. According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS poll this month 30% of Latvian citizens support the New Era. Sociologist Arnis Kaktins tells Diena that such a high rating is unusual for Latvia, and it indicates that people are supporting Repses strong hand in cleaning up government. Diena, Neatkariga

Neatkariga

interviews general director of the National Radio Dzintris Kolats. He is not sure whether the norms in the Law on Radio and TV stipulating restrictions of the usage of foreign languages in radio programmes up to 25% were introduced for economic or political reasons. He says that from a market perspective everything should develop naturally, but on the other hand, he is not convinced that the Latvian language is secure enough, therefore, there should be some regulations and norms. . He is not sure whether the norms in the Law on Radio and TV stipulating restrictions of the usage of foreign languages in radio programmes up to 25% were introduced for economic or political reasons. He says that from a market perspective everything should develop naturally, but on the other hand, he is not convinced that the Latvian language is secure enough, therefore, there should be some regulations and norms.

Neatkariga

features an article about the situation concerning integration and minorities in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia. Although the number of Russian-speakers is one of the highest in this part of Latvia, the number of non-citizens is not so high. Officials of town and rural district councils report about activities implemented to foster integration in their districts. features an article about the situation concerning integration and minorities in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia. Although the number of Russian-speakers is one of the highest in this part of Latvia, the number of non-citizens is not so high. Officials of town and rural district councils report about activities implemented to foster integration in their districts.

Neatkariga

features an article about Ukrainians in Latvia. About a half of the Ukrainians in Latvia speak Russian in their families. The only Ukrainian school in the Baltic countries is in Latvia. The Ukrainian Embassy to Latvia is also very actively organising different activities. features an article about Ukrainians in Latvia. About a half of the Ukrainians in Latvia speak Russian in their families. The only Ukrainian school in the Baltic countries is in Latvia. The Ukrainian Embassy to Latvia is also very actively organising different activities.

Neatkariga

publishes an article about a Lebanese doctor who came to Latvia to study, learned the Latvian language and wants to stay in Latvia. He says that for him the possibilities to obtain citizenship are rather limited – either to marry a Latvian or have a turnover of 1 million dollar. publishes an article about a Lebanese doctor who came to Latvia to study, learned the Latvian language and wants to stay in Latvia. He says that for him the possibilities to obtain citizenship are rather limited – either to marry a Latvian or have a turnover of 1 million dollar.