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.

• European Commission has released a Comprehensive Monitoring Report on the EU accession countries
• EP Constitutional Committee will review Martjan Bekasovs recall
• UNDP allocates 380,000 USD to Latvian language courses for naturalization applicants
• Lauku Avize continues discussion on the conflict between a Latvian language teacher and students
• A Russian official on the conditions for improvement of relationship between Latvia and Russia
• FHRUL officially re-established

The European Commission (EC) has released a Comprehensive Monitoring Report consisting of 10 Country Monitoring reports on the EU accession countries. The EC has concluded that the new member states will be fully ready to the EU membership from 1 May 2004. The EC has pointed to five problem areas in Latvia thus putting Latvia in the third place among the most criticized states after Poland and Malta.

The European Commission (EC) has released a Comprehensive Monitoring Report consisting of 10 Country Monitoring reports on the EU accession countries. The EC has concluded that the new member states will be fully ready to the EU membership from 1 May 2004. The EC has pointed to five problem areas in Latvia thus putting Latvia in the third place among the most criticized states after Poland and Malta. The Official Gazette, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Lauku Avize, Telegraf, Chas Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Yesterday the European Parliament (EP) decided to delegate the review of the case of Martjan Bekasov’s recall to the EP Constitutional Committee. According to

Yesterday the European Parliament (EP) decided to delegate the review of the case of Martjan Bekasovs recall to the EP Constitutional Committee. According to Chas, left-wing deputies of the EP have expressed their support for Bekasov to continue his work of an observer at the EP. Bekasov himself has stated that he is not planning to leave his post. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

With the support of the USA, Sweden, Norway and the Great Britain, the UNDP has allocated 380,000 USD to Latvian language courses for naturalization applicants. The courses will provide an opportunity for more than 5000 persons to learn Latvian over the next two years. No funding from the state budget has been allocated for such courses for 2004. 3400 persons have participated in Latvian language courses free of charge in 2000-2002.

With the support of the USA, Sweden, Norway and the Great Britain, the UNDP has allocated 380,000 USD to Latvian language courses for naturalization applicants. The courses will provide an opportunity for more than 5000 persons to learn Latvian over the next two years. No funding from the state budget has been allocated for such courses for 2004. 3400 persons have participated in Latvian language courses free of charge in 2000-2002. Lauku Avize, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Vesty Segodnya, Chas

Lauku Avize continues discussion on the recent conflict between a Latvian language teacher and students at a Russian-language school. The newspaper interviews the director of the Latvian National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers and the head of the State Education Inspection Zigfrids Grinpauks. The State Education Inspection is planning to discuss with the schools principal the need for paying more attention to civic education and introduction of students to Latvian culture.

The deputy director of the Second European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhael Demurin has commented the results of the seminar “Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects” which recently took place in Moscow. According to the official, the acceleration of naturalization and resolving legal issues concerning World War II veterans will be the starting point of the improvement of Latvian-Russian relationships.

The deputy director of the Second European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhael Demurin has commented the results of the seminar Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects which recently took place in Moscow. According to the official, the acceleration of naturalization and resolving legal issues concerning World War II veterans will be the starting point of the improvement of Latvian-Russian relationships. Chas

The Ministry of Justice has agreed to the re-establishment of For Human Rights in a United Latvia. The coalition is now composed of the party “Equality “ and the newly established party BITE. Tatjana Zdanok and Jakov Pliner are the co-chairpersons of the FHRUL.

The Ministry of Justice has agreed to the re-establishment of For Human Rights in a United Latvia. The coalition is now composed of the party Equality and the newly established party BITE. Tatjana Zdanok and Jakov Pliner are the co-chairpersons of the FHRUL. Vesty Segodnya