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

Latvian MFA announced officially that they understood the reasons for cancelling I.Ivanov’s visit to Latvia and did not see there any hints on Latvian Russian intergovernmental relations. But Dz.Eglitis from

Latvian MFA announced officially that they understood the reasons for cancelling I.Ivanovs visit to Latvia and did not see there any hints on Latvian Russian intergovernmental relations. But Dz.Eglitis from Neatkariga thinks that I.Ivanov does not control the situation in Russia and proves his statement with the events in Kosovo and situation with Kaliningrad region. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs acknowledged in Palanga that Latvian - Russian relations currently were the most positive as they had been during the last period of time. He pointed out that it would be important for the future visit of I.Ivanov to give a push for activating the “ intergovernmental commission”, signing prepared agreements, as well as planning future co-operation. V.Birkavs also added that the visit of I.Ivanov was not postponed for long.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs acknowledged in Palanga that Latvian - Russian relations currently were the most positive as they had been during the last period of time. He pointed out that it would be important for the future visit of I.Ivanov to give a push for activating the intergovernmental commission, signing prepared agreements, as well as planning future co-operation. V.Birkavs also added that the visit of I.Ivanov was not postponed for long. Neatkariga

All leading newspapers write about the coming presidential election, giving different opinion on the candidates.

All leading newspapers write about the coming presidential election, giving different opinion on the candidates. Chas, SM, BB

Politicians have different opinions on the possible development of the situation if the first round gives no result. On Tuesday a consultation of

Politicians have different opinions on the possible development of the situation if the first round gives no result. On Tuesday a consultation of Social Democrats, Latvijas Cels and Peoples Party took place, but their statements after this meeting did not give a clear picture in this respect. Some politicians stand for a neutral president, some think that the president should represent some party. Diena

Meanwhile, Vike-Freiberga, Director of Latvian Institute stated that she would run for the Presidency if she were nominated (there were some discussion about her as a possible candidate.)

Meanwhile, Vike-Freiberga, Director of Latvian Institute stated that she would run for the Presidency if she were nominated (there were some discussion about her as a possible candidate.) Neatkariga,

15.3 000 non-citizens, including 1260 children, have received Latvian citizenship from February 1995, when the process of naturalisation was started in Latvia. The Naturalisation Board informed that 6482 applications are in the process of consideration. From the total amount of applicants Russians constitute 57.6%, Lithuanians and Estonians – 14%, Byelorussians – 10.4%, Poles – 7.1%, Ukrainians – 6.6%, Latvians and Livs – 0.5%. 65.7% of all applicants are women.

15.3 000 non-citizens, including 1260 children, have received Latvian citizenship from February 1995, when the process of naturalisation was started in Latvia. The Naturalisation Board informed that 6482 applications are in the process of consideration. From the total amount of applicants Russians constitute 57.6%, Lithuanians and Estonians – 14%, Byelorussians – 10.4%, Poles – 7.1%, Ukrainians – 6.6%, Latvians and Livs – 0.5%. 65.7% of all applicants are women. Diena (Russian version)

Disregarding the proposal of nationalistically orientated members of the Saeima Commission on Education and Science to prepare the language law for the third reading for today’s extraordinary Saeima meeting, the Commission refused this proposal, but the meeting will take place anyway.

Disregarding the proposal of nationalistically orientated members of the Saeima Commission on Education and Science to prepare the language law for the third reading for todays extraordinary Saeima meeting, the Commission refused this proposal, but the meeting will take place anyway. Panorama Latvii

Not to oppose the EU by refusing to ratify its recommendations concerning the capital punishment and at the same time leaving some space for manoeuvring, the Saeima Commission on Defence and Internal Affairs conceptually agreed on Article 15.1 of the Law on imposing penalties. According to the Commission, as there are some articles in the Criminal Code, providing the capital punishment, they should not be abolished but this sentence should be taken and executed only in the case of war.

Not to oppose the EU by refusing to ratify its recommendations concerning the capital punishment and at the same time leaving some space for manoeuvring, the Saeima Commission on Defence and Internal Affairs conceptually agreed on Article 15.1 of the Law on imposing penalties. According to the Commission, as there are some articles in the Criminal Code, providing the capital punishment, they should not be abolished but this sentence should be taken and executed only in the case of war. Panorama Latvii