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

After information provided by the Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, May 23 an application from Vasily Kononov was submitted to her institution asking to process rejection from the Latvian citizenship in connection with receiving the Russian citizenship.

After information provided by the Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, May 23 an application from Vasily Kononov was submitted to her institution asking to process rejection from the Latvian citizenship in connection with receiving the Russian citizenship. Chas

Ezenija Aldermane was invited to the last meeting of the Saeima’s Commission on Education to discuss the possible changes in the requirements of the naturalization language tests. Aldermane said after the meeting that the level of the tests is not high, but she suggested that in the case of a doubtful result the examinee should rather repeat the test instead of raising the requirements in general.

Ezenija Aldermane was invited to the last meeting of the Saeimas Commission on Education to discuss the possible changes in the requirements of the naturalization language tests. Aldermane said after the meeting that the level of the tests is not high, but she suggested that in the case of a doubtful result the examinee should rather repeat the test instead of raising the requirements in general. Chas

As before joining the EU the country’s citizens express their opinion about this move in a public referendum, also Latvian authorities think about this time. As currently more than 30% of non-Latvian residents are Latvian citizens and after estimates, the number will grow to 60% by 2003, different NGOs who promote the idea of EU with participation of the Delegation of the European Commission have set to releasing promotion editions in Russian as well. Vesti is quite critical towards the formulations in these editions, for instance, “traditions of our national democratic state correspond the traditions of the European countries” or speaking about the EU membership as a possibility to get out of the influence of the eastern neighbors.

As before joining the EU the countrys citizens express their opinion about this move in a public referendum, also Latvian authorities think about this time. As currently more than 30% of non-Latvian residents are Latvian citizens and after estimates, the number will grow to 60% by 2003, different NGOs who promote the idea of EU with participation of the Delegation of the European Commission have set to releasing promotion editions in Russian as well. Vesti is quite critical towards the formulations in these editions, for instance, traditions of our national democratic state correspond the traditions of the European countries or speaking about the EU membership as a possibility to get out of the influence of the eastern neighbors. Vesti

The leftist opposition has managed to collect more than 30 thousand signatures under an address to international organizations asking to make Latvia to ratify the Convention on Minority Rights. Yesterday, representatives of For Human Rights in United Latvia called residents of Latvia to be even more active in supporting the address.

The leftist opposition has managed to collect more than 30 thousand signatures under an address to international organizations asking to make Latvia to ratify the Convention on Minority Rights. Yesterday, representatives of For Human Rights in United Latvia called residents of Latvia to be even more active in supporting the address. Vesti

Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens is preparing to start collection of signatures to initiate a referendum about the rights for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections. As the supporters of this move often refer to recommendations of the EU and OSCE,

Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens is preparing to start collection of signatures to initiate a referendum about the rights for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections. As the supporters of this move often refer to recommendations of the EU and OSCE, Jauna Avize asked the opinion of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Deputy Head of the Mission Undine Bollow said that looking at the international practice, granting of election rights is up to the respective countries. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

A comment in

A comment in Neatkariga by Aris Jansons reviews the recent expressions by Mr. van der Stoel in Financial Times. The title reads Canadian Experience Could Help for the Subjective Diplomacy.

In the first year of bi-lingual education several ethnic minority schools chose gradual shift to Latvian as the language of instruction as the bi-lingual education is difficult due to lack of textbooks and trained teachers. Diena

In the first year of bi-lingual education several ethnic minority schools chose gradual shift to Latvian as the language of instruction as the bi-lingual education is difficult due to lack of textbooks and trained teachers. Diena

Latvian President Freiberga after meeting the President of France during her visit in this country, said that the relations between the countries are excellent. The President of France had accepted her invitation to visit Latvia and expressed support for Latvia’s accession to the EU. Speaking about the social integration in Latvia, Freiberga admitted that it is a precondition of a successful development of the country. She told about the ethnic minority schools and the possibility to integrate in Latvia’s society at the same time keeping one’s ethnic traditions and culture.

Latvian President Freiberga after meeting the President of France during her visit in this country, said that the relations between the countries are excellent. The President of France had accepted her invitation to visit Latvia and expressed support for Latvias accession to the EU. Speaking about the social integration in Latvia, Freiberga admitted that it is a precondition of a successful development of the country. She told about the ethnic minority schools and the possibility to integrate in Latvias society at the same time keeping ones ethnic traditions and culture. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

The Saeima factions seem to support the suggestion from the Saeima presidium to close the spring session on June 20 and resume the work on September 4.

The Saeima factions seem to support the suggestion from the Saeima presidium to close the spring session on June 20 and resume the work on September 4. Diena

Swedish Prime Minister and Speaker of the Lithuanian Saeima discussed the reproaches addressed to Latvia constantly coming from Russia and agreed that a more active support to Latvia should be showed.

Swedish Prime Minister and Speaker of the Lithuanian Saeima discussed the reproaches addressed to Latvia constantly coming from Russia and agreed that a more active support to Latvia should be showed. Diena

The government of the city of Moscow plans to open a Moscow Culture and Business Center in downtown Riga this summer in the building of the current Railway Workers Culture Palace. Moscow offers a building in Moscow to the Latvian Railway Company in exchange for the building in Riga.

The government of the city of Moscow plans to open a Moscow Culture and Business Center in downtown Riga this summer in the building of the current Railway Workers Culture Palace. Moscow offers a building in Moscow to the Latvian Railway Company in exchange for the building in Riga. Diena