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

Roamano Prodi and Gunter Verheugen in their meetings with the Latvian officials have made it clear that there is a chance for Latvia to catch up with the 1st group countries if it works hard. In his address to the Saeima Mr. Prodi paid special attention to the issue of society integration. He noted that with the citizenship and language laws Latvia has outran several other countries.

Roamano Prodi and Gunter Verheugen in their meetings with the Latvian officials have made it clear that there is a chance for Latvia to catch up with the 1st group countries if it works hard. In his address to the Saeima Mr. Prodi paid special attention to the issue of society integration. He noted that with the citizenship and language laws Latvia has outran several other countries. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, Respublika, Vesti

After information provided by the Board of Naturalization, this January the number of applicants for citizenship has decreased. 726 people received citizenship in january – by 423 less than last December and by 969 less than last November. 1177 applications came in in Januray which is by 235 less than in December.

After information provided by the Board of Naturalization, this January the number of applicants for citizenship has decreased. 726 people received citizenship in january – by 423 less than last December and by 969 less than last November. 1177 applications came in in Januray which is by 235 less than in December. Neatkariga

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will not comment on the suggestion of the New Party to award Boris Yeltsin with the Three Star Order for his merits in recognizing independence of Latvia in 1991 as the members of the Order Council do not publicly discuss their decisions. Other officials, including the Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins, tend to support the idea.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will not comment on the suggestion of the New Party to award Boris Yeltsin with the Three Star Order for his merits in recognizing independence of Latvia in 1991 as the members of the Order Council do not publicly discuss their decisions. Other officials, including the Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins, tend to support the idea. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, Respublika

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane noted that the language barrier is making the naturalization process slower. Non-citizens should understand that one cannot obtain citizenship without applying some effort as the law requires knowledge of the state language to become a citizen.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane noted that the language barrier is making the naturalization process slower. Non-citizens should understand that one cannot obtain citizenship without applying some effort as the law requires knowledge of the state language to become a citizen. Vesti

Minister of Justice and Minister of Education have agreed that before a unified state language examination center is set up under the Ministry of Education, the language testing should be entrusted to the Naturalization Board instead of the current testing commissions under local governments. Minister of Justice hopes that the move will be supported by the government this month.

Minister of Justice and Minister of Education have agreed that before a unified state language examination center is set up under the Ministry of Education, the language testing should be entrusted to the Naturalization Board instead of the current testing commissions under local governments. Minister of Justice hopes that the move will be supported by the government this month. Diena, Neatkariga

The Swedish government is ready to finance translation and printing of the book on holocaust for schools titled “Tell it to your children” to advance the knowledge of young people in Latvia on prosecution of Jews in 1939-1945.

The Swedish government is ready to finance translation and printing of the book on holocaust for schools titled Tell it to your children to advance the knowledge of young people in Latvia on prosecution of Jews in 1939-1945. Diena