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

On Friday was presented the report of Russian Commission on Foreign Policy and Defence Policy Affairs and it was stated there that the region of the Baltic Sea would always be in the zone of vitally important interests of Russia, and it meant that a stable security, corresponding to Russian interests, should be guaranteed there. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, commenting this statement, acknowledged, that this Russian position was nothing new and there was only one conclusion – to join NATO and EU as soon as possible. “In reality, they (Russia) have driven us both to NATO and EU because all attempts from our side to co-operate honestly at least in the economic field, as you remember, have ended with sanctions. They do the utmost to distance themselves from the Baltic States.”

On Friday was presented the report of Russian Commission on Foreign Policy and Defence Policy Affairs and it was stated there that the region of the Baltic Sea would always be in the zone of vitally important interests of Russia, and it meant that a stable security, corresponding to Russian interests, should be guaranteed there. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, commenting this statement, acknowledged, that this Russian position was nothing new and there was only one conclusion – to join NATO and EU as soon as possible. In reality, they (Russia) have driven us both to NATO and EU because all attempts from our side to co-operate honestly at least in the economic field, as you remember, have ended with sanctions. They do the utmost to distance themselves from the Baltic States. Diena

Deputy Head of the Russian President Administration S.Prihodko announced that Russia was inclined to develop relations with the Baltic States in the amount they were ready themselves. He stated that there was some, although not very noticeable movement to improvement of relations, but reminded that Russian attitude concerning the Baltic States joining NATO was still negative.

Deputy Head of the Russian President Administration S.Prihodko announced that Russia was inclined to develop relations with the Baltic States in the amount they were ready themselves. He stated that there was some, although not very noticeable movement to improvement of relations, but reminded that Russian attitude concerning the Baltic States joining NATO was still negative. Neatkariga, Diena (Russian version), Chas

Latvian elementary school of Jaunjelgava Secondary School, Aizkraukle Region, are taught Mathematics in the Russian language because the teacher does not know the Latvian language. The Director of the school stood up for the teacher saying that she spoke Latvian, only occasionally used incorrect endings and had started to attend the Latvian language training course. The parents’ meeting gave the teacher two weeks to improve her language skills.

Latvian elementary school of Jaunjelgava Secondary School, Aizkraukle Region, are taught Mathematics in the Russian language because the teacher does not know the Latvian language. The Director of the school stood up for the teacher saying that she spoke Latvian, only occasionally used incorrect endings and had started to attend the Latvian language training course. The parents meeting gave the teacher two weeks to improve her language skills. Neatkariga

Russian speaking newspaper

Russian speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya states that while Latvian President tries to persuade UN that everything is OK with national minorities in Latvia, Latvian MPs try to do the opposite. TB/LNNK representative J.Dobelis at the meeting of the Saeima Commission on Culture and Education shouted that the best argument for those who were against a tough Language law was a gun. He insisted on preserving all the most radical articles violating the rights of non-Latvians. MP Y.Pliner, who represents faction For Human Rights in Independent Latvia, is almost sure that the majority in the Parliament would ignore even the proposals of the President not even mentioning the OSCE recommendations. Not only TB/LNNK but the New Party, Peoples Party and Social Democrats could vote for this most radical version. Vesti Segodnya