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

Starting March 1, 1999 Latvia will have visa free regime with the countries of Shengen Agreement, the Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs informed the press yesterday. Such a decision was passed during a meeting of the European Union Shengen Agreement Executive committee.

Starting March 1, 1999 Latvia will have visa free regime with the countries of Shengen Agreement, the Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs informed the press yesterday. Such a decision was passed during a meeting of the European Union Shengen Agreement Executive committee. Diena

Yesterday the Russian Ambassador in Latvia Alexander Udalcov met with the Latvian Minister of Communications Anatolijs Gorbunovs to discuss resumption of work of the Latvian -Russian inter-governmental commission. According to Mr. Udalcov, there are no political obstacles to that. Both parties agreed that during next couple of weeks, specialists of both countries would review intergovernmental agreements which were prepared earlier, so, that working groups of both countries could resume the work.

Yesterday the Russian Ambassador in Latvia Alexander Udalcov met with the Latvian Minister of Communications Anatolijs Gorbunovs to discuss resumption of work of the Latvian -Russian inter-governmental commission. According to Mr. Udalcov, there are no political obstacles to that. Both parties agreed that during next couple of weeks, specialists of both countries would review intergovernmental agreements which were prepared earlier, so, that working groups of both countries could resume the work. Diena, Jauna Avize

Proposals prepared by the Ministries which could be adopted according to the Article 81 of the Constitution provide for changes in laws adopted by the 6th Saeima. The Ministry of Finance has calculated that for implementation of some provisions of laws adopted before the elections there might be no financing. One of such laws is the Education Law. Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans admitted that due to the insufficient financing, implementation term for a provision of the Education Law stating that for a pedagogue with the lowest professional qualifications minimal payment for a full load should be no less than total of two minimal wages, could be postponed till 1 January 2000.

Proposals prepared by the Ministries which could be adopted according to the Article 81 of the Constitution provide for changes in laws adopted by the 6th Saeima. The Ministry of Finance has calculated that for implementation of some provisions of laws adopted before the elections there might be no financing. One of such laws is the Education Law. Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans admitted that due to the insufficient financing, implementation term for a provision of the Education Law stating that for a pedagogue with the lowest professional qualifications minimal payment for a full load should be no less than total of two minimal wages, could be postponed till 1 January 2000. Diena

Dienapublishes an analysis of the outcome of the Vienna summit prepared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs. Diena

During a meeting on Wednesday the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson informed the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs about a possible visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in January next year.

During a meeting on Wednesday the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson informed the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs about a possible visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in January next year. Panorama Latvii, Chas

Legal Department of the Ministry of the Interior informed B&B; that a working group was formed to prepare a draft law on Improvement of residence place registration system. The working group will have to choose one of three models of registration system already proposed.

Legal Department of the Ministry of the Interior informed B&B that a working group was formed to prepare a draft law on Improvement of residence place registration system. The working group will have to choose one of three models of registration system already proposed. B&B

On Tuesday the Saeima Commission of Internal Affairs decided to support adoption of the 6th Protocol on Abolishment of the Death Penalty.

On Tuesday the Saeima Commission of Internal Affairs decided to support adoption of the 6th Protocol on Abolishment of the Death Penalty. Diena