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.

• Accession country issues at EU-Russia Summit in Rome
• Gunter Verheugen speaks on minority rights in the Baltics
• Nils Muiznieks on obstacles to naturalization
• CesisCity Councils Committee refuses to open the first grade in a Russian-language school
• Session of the Advisory Council on Minority Education Affairs

No agreement was reached between the EU and Russia at the EU-Russia Summit in Rome yesterday regarding the application of EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the acceding EU member states. Recently Russia’s State Duma adopted a statement stipulating that Russia may mot apply the Agreement to Latvia and Estonia as long as the rights of Russian-speakers in these states are violated. Responding to Russia’s initiative to discuss minority situation in the Baltic States, the EU leaders pointed to a successful integration process and the lack of minority rights violations. The summit’s participants also decided to continue discussion about Latvian-Russian cooperation regarding border issues and easing of travel regulations.

No agreement was reached between the EU and Russia at the EU-Russia Summit in Rome yesterday regarding the application of EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the acceding EU member states. Recently Russias State Duma adopted a statement stipulating that Russia may mot apply the Agreement to Latvia and Estonia as long as the rights of Russian-speakers in these states are violated. Responding to Russias initiative to discuss minority situation in the Baltic States, the EU leaders pointed to a successful integration process and the lack of minority rights violations. The summits participants also decided to continue discussion about Latvian-Russian cooperation regarding border issues and easing of travel regulations. Diena

At the European Parliament session last Wednesday, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen stated that Latvia and Estonia conform to international minority rights standards, although there is, as always, the need for further improvements.

At the European Parliament session last Wednesday, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen stated that Latvia and Estonia conform to international minority rights standards, although there is, as always, the need for further improvements. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

At the meeting with the state secretary for EU Affairs of Belgium, Jacques Simon, the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks reportedly stated that non-citizens’ view that Latvian citizenship should be granted automatically is the main obstacle for naturalization.

At the meeting with the state secretary for EU Affairs of Belgium, Jacques Simon, the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks reportedly stated that non-citizens view that Latvian citizenship should be granted automatically is the main obstacle for naturalization. Telegraf

Yesterday the Committee for Education, Science and Sports of the Cesis City Council has denied a Russian-language school’s appeal to open a first grade class even if the number of students is insufficient. According to the head of the Committee Daumants Vasmanis, opening a class in contradiction with the law could encourage the thought that there is a need for creating especially benevolent conditions for Russian-language schools. The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration is  examining a letter signed by 400 Cesis’ residents.

Yesterday the Committee for Education, Science and Sports of the Cesis City Council has denied a Russian-language schools appeal to open a first grade class even if the number of students is insufficient. According to the head of the Committee Daumants Vasmanis, opening a class in contradiction with the law could encourage the thought that there is a need for creating especially benevolent conditions for Russian-language schools. The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration is examining a letter signed by 400 Cesis residents. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Chas reports on thesession of the Advisory Council on Minority Education Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Science. The proposals of the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS) for amendment of the Law on Education and for review of the Councils composition were not approved. LASRS suggests that the Council should consist of school principals, teachers, students, parents, representatives of NGOs and municipalities, while state officials should have a status of experts without voting rights.