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

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts in his article published by

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts in his article published by "DIENA" focuses on the objectives of his upcoming visits to the EU and the NATO Headquarters in Brussels and to Denmark. Mr. Krasts stresses the importance of the visits for a deeper understanding of the motives behind the European Commission recommendations and the decisions made during the Madrid Summit. Mr. Krasts will inform the European Commission and the EU countries about the steps taken by Latvia to facilitate the country's integration in Europe. The Prime-Minister will also try to gain the support of "the common starting line" approach to the admission of new members to the EU. In his article Prime-Minister Krasts pointed to the importance of following common European principles that would require closer co-operation with Estonia and Lithuania and will demand giving up political provincialism. Mr. Krasts singles out political ambitions of Latvian politicians as one of the obstacles to Latvia's integration to Europe. Diena

"Latvijas Cels"

held a conference "Latvia on its Way to the Forming of a Political Nation". The participants of the Conference arrived to the conclusion that the party's passive approach to the issue was a result of the agreement between the governing factions. held a conference "Latvia on its Way to the Forming of a Political Nation". The participants of the Conference arrived to the conclusion that the party's passive approach to the issue was a result of the agreement between the governing factions. "LC""LC" Chairman Valdis Birkavs said that the time had come for the party to work out its concept of the political nation in Latvia. Chairman of the Chairman Valdis Birkavs said that the time had come for the party to work out its concept of the political nation in Latvia. Chairman of the "LC""LC" faction Andrejs Pantelejevs believes that the party should conceive its policy on several issues. faction Andrejs Pantelejevs believes that the party should conceive its policy on several issues. "LC""LC" should set objective naturalization rate criteria, develop a uniform approach to the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and formulate state obligations in the domain of national cultural autonomy. Mr. Pantelejevs also suggested to analyze the Latvian legislation with regard to its efficiency in preventing ethic conflicts. Still, should set objective naturalization rate criteria, develop a uniform approach to the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and formulate state obligations in the domain of national cultural autonomy. Mr. Pantelejevs also suggested to analyze the Latvian legislation with regard to its efficiency in preventing ethic conflicts. Still, "LC""LC" Secretary General Juris Lorencs believes that the Citizenship Law should not be amended. He warned against a dramatic rise of the naturalization rate that would "disrupt the stability of the Latvian citizenry." Secretary General Juris Lorencs believes that the Citizenship Law should not be amended. He warned against a dramatic rise of the naturalization rate that would "disrupt the stability of the Latvian citizenry." DienaDiena Former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee in an interview for

Former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee in an interview for "SM" pointed at tremendous changes that occurred in Latvia during his time in the office. Within those three years the Citizenship Law came into force, the Naturalization Board was established and the Latvian and the Russian governments in co-operation with the OSCE managed to resolve the problem of retired Russian servicemen. Among the most important developments Mr. Magee singled out a tangible improvement of relations between the Mission and the CID. Mr. Magee especially marked courageous steps made by Former Minister of the Interior Turlais to reform the CID. He also praised Mr. Olafs Bruvers for his activities as the Director of the National Human Rights Office. The Mission and the Naturalization Board believe that the Citizenship Law in its present form does not encourage non-citizens to undergo naturalization. Mr. Magee hopes that the next Cabinet will cancel "naturalization windows". He believes the current percentage of non-citizens among Latvia's population to be abnormally high. He sees the main problem in the agreement between the governing factions that would not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Magee believes that the OSCE presence in Latvia will be still required during several years to come. When asked about the current language policy, Mr. Magee said that he was aware of the necessity to strengthen the status of the Latvian language. Still, he believes that Russian could be given the status of the second state language at a certain point in the future.