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 Review

Press Review

State Language Training Program has received 4.7 million USD support from donor states for future activities and to encourage public integration for two next years. Yesterday in Wagner Hall the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals, UNDP Permanent Representative J.Sorensen and Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs signed the draft “Furthering of Social Integration in Latvia”.

State Language Training Program has received 4.7 million USD support from donor states for future activities and to encourage public integration for two next years. Yesterday in Wagner Hall the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals, UNDP Permanent Representative J.Sorensen and Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs signed the draft Furthering of Social Integration in Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Today the Saeima will decide whether to continue considering the draft state language law that was adopted in the second reading by the previous Saeima. The majority of Saeima factions support this consideration. The draft law envisages transfer to receiving education only in the Latvian language, allowing to realise special minority education programs.

Today the Saeima will decide whether to continue considering the draft state language law that was adopted in the second reading by the previous Saeima. The majority of Saeima factions support this consideration. The draft law envisages transfer to receiving education only in the Latvian language, allowing to realise special minority education programs. Neatkariga

Today Latvian MFA representatives are leaving for Austria to initial the agreement between those two countries on readmitting illegal immigrants. Initiating of this agreement is considered as one of preconditions for introducing no visa regime.

Today Latvian MFA representatives are leaving for Austria to initial the agreement between those two countries on readmitting illegal immigrants. Initiating of this agreement is considered as one of preconditions for introducing no visa regime. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs discusses in

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs discusses in Diena the problem of human rights in the world and Latvian contexts, stating that human rights may not be just internal matter of some country. Among other things, he also speaks about the State Language Training Program, national Integration Program and National Human Rights Office. Diena

V.Birkavs announced on Wednesday that Latvian - Russian relations from a positive pause had turned to active steps, and the next step could be appointing of the Head of intergovernmental commission from the Russian side. Latvian government has shown a unmistakable initiative to improve its relations with Russia, and the last activity was V.Birkavs’s meeting with his Russian counterpart.

V.Birkavs announced on Wednesday that Latvian - Russian relations from a positive pause had turned to active steps, and the next step could be appointing of the Head of intergovernmental commission from the Russian side. Latvian government has shown a unmistakable initiative to improve its relations with Russia, and the last activity was V.Birkavss meeting with his Russian counterpart. Diena

SM

interviews the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. She speaks about the influx of people to the Naturalisation Board offices after the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were adopted, problems they face now and possible solutions. The leader of Russian State Council group for relations with Parliaments of the Baltic states M.Vakulenko states that, disregarding the fact the Council has passed a favorable address to the new Parliament of Latvia, they still were not sure that the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia could improve in the nearest future. He agrees that the Law on Citizenship is a liberal one, but points out that it was adopted like this only due to a public pressure. It is an evidence that the authorities are not ready to reconsider their position concerning non-Latvian population, and that people think different than politicians. So one may conclude that the authorities are opposing the opinion of the majority of citizens. Mr.Vakulenko also points out that national radicals hold the majority of top positions, but nevertheless he hopes that his parliamentary group could receive their Latvian colleagues in Moscow at the beginning of the next year.

The leader of Russian State Council group for relations with Parliaments of the Baltic states M.Vakulenko states that, disregarding the fact the Council has passed a favorable address to the new Parliament of Latvia, they still were not sure that the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia could improve in the nearest future. He agrees that the Law on Citizenship is a liberal one, but points out that it was adopted like this only due to a public pressure. It is an evidence that the authorities are not ready to reconsider their position concerning non-Latvian population, and that people think different than politicians. So one may conclude that the authorities are opposing the opinion of the majority of citizens. Mr.Vakulenko also points out that national radicals hold the majority of top positions, but nevertheless he hopes that his parliamentary group could receive their Latvian colleagues in Moscow at the beginning of the next year. SM