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.

Press Report

Press Report

All the government-forming parties, except the Christian Democratic Union, agree with Mr. Birkavs’ criticism of the plan to save the government. At the same time, Prime-Minister Skele expresses incomprehension of Mr. Birkavs’ statements, since Mr. Birkavs himself had proposed some ideas that subsequently were incorporated into the plan. According to Mr. Skele, it will be very difficult to continue working with Mr. Birkavs in the same government. Although the Prime-Minister stresses that he will not resign, he mentions the vote of non-confidence in the Saeima as a “normal” possibility.

All the government-forming parties, except the Christian Democratic Union, agree with Mr. Birkavs criticism of the plan to save the government. At the same time, Prime-Minister Skele expresses incomprehension of Mr. Birkavs statements, since Mr. Birkavs himself had proposed some ideas that subsequently were incorporated into the plan. According to Mr. Skele, it will be very difficult to continue working with Mr. Birkavs in the same government. Although the Prime-Minister stresses that he will not resign, he mentions the vote of non-confidence in the Saeima as a normal possibility. Diena, Neatkariga

As was mentioned earlier this week, the Prime-Minister suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 10 days should present a plan which by December would improve the work of foreign affairs departments and the Latvian diplomatic corps. Valdis Birkavs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thinks that the Prime-Minister has wrongly stressed the need for improvements only in the work of the MFA. According to Mr. Birkavs, the improvement of other ministries’ work is more urgent, since the European Commission resolution has particularly stressed the shortcomings in legal, internal and economic spheres. The MFA has already distributed the European Commission resolution to all ministries with the request to submit evaluations by July 23. It is planned to review those reports at the meeting of the European Integration Council on July 28.

As was mentioned earlier this week, the Prime-Minister suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 10 days should present a plan which by December would improve the work of foreign affairs departments and the Latvian diplomatic corps. Valdis Birkavs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thinks that the Prime-Minister has wrongly stressed the need for improvements only in the work of the MFA. According to Mr. Birkavs, the improvement of other ministries work is more urgent, since the European Commission resolution has particularly stressed the shortcomings in legal, internal and economic spheres. The MFA has already distributed the European Commission resolution to all ministries with the request to submit evaluations by July 23. It is planned to review those reports at the meeting of the European Integration Council on July 28. Diena

SM informs that in response to the statements of Alexander Perelygyn, Advisor to the Mayor of Moscow, on the impossibility to have good-neighbour relations between Riga and Moscow while Latvia has not solved the problems of the Russian speaking population, Andris Berzins, Mayor of Riga, said that all accusations apply to the work of the previous City Council. Besides, Mr. Berzins thinks that it is absurd to relate the ethnic situation to the co-operation between two cities. SM

SM informs that in response to the statements of Alexander Perelygyn, Advisor to the Mayor of Moscow, on the impossibility to have good-neighbour relations between Riga and Moscow while Latvia has not solved the problems of the Russian speaking population, Andris Berzins, Mayor of Riga, said that all accusations apply to the work of the previous City Council. Besides, Mr. Berzins thinks that it is absurd to relate the ethnic situation to the co-operation between two cities. SM