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

After a meeting with G.Verheugen EU Expansion Commissioner, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov stated that one of things Russia was interested in the context of EU expansion was stable and predictable conditions for transit through the Baltic States. I.Ivanov said that so far these conditions in the Baltic States changed too often, and they were influenced by different political aspects.

After a meeting with G.Verheugen EU Expansion Commissioner, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov stated that one of things Russia was interested in the context of EU expansion was stable and predictable conditions for transit through the Baltic States. I.Ivanov said that so far these conditions in the Baltic States changed too often, and they were influenced by different political aspects. Diena

The representatives of farmer organisations met Tuesday with the Minister of Agriculture and acknowledged that they were ready for a constructive negotiation with the Government and even to compromises but they did not intend to stop their protest activities planned for today.

The representatives of farmer organisations met Tuesday with the Minister of Agriculture and acknowledged that they were ready for a constructive negotiation with the Government and even to compromises but they did not intend to stop their protest activities planned for today. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya

The Government took a decision to accredit the museum Jewish people in Latvia and grant financing of 12 000 Ls for two museum's projects.

The Government took a decision to accredit the museum Jewish people in Latvia and grant financing of 12 000 Ls for two museum's projects. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

On Tuesday the former red guerrilla leader V.Kononov submitted an application to the Naturalisation Board where he expressed his wish to resign from Latvian citizenship. The Board will have to evaluate whether V.Kononov has fulfilled all his obligations towards the state and might be deprived of his citizenship.

On Tuesday the former red guerrilla leader V.Kononov submitted an application to the Naturalisation Board where he expressed his wish to resign from Latvian citizenship. The Board will have to evaluate whether V.Kononov has fulfilled all his obligations towards the state and might be deprived of his citizenship. Diena, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The Cabinet of Ministers already for the second time did not manage to agree which of the state institutions would co-ordinate the public integration process and postponed the decision for one more week. People’s Party and TB/LNNK consider that it should be the Ministry of Education, but experts and the rest of coalition partners think that it should be the Minister of Justice.

The Cabinet of Ministers already for the second time did not manage to agree which of the state institutions would co-ordinate the public integration process and postponed the decision for one more week. Peoples Party and TB/LNNK consider that it should be the Ministry of Education, but experts and the rest of coalition partners think that it should be the Minister of Justice. Diena

Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar stated on Tuesday after the Estonian – Russian intergovernmental commission meeting that Estonian – Russian relations had never been so good as they were then. The Co-Chairman from the Russian part V.Matvijenko said that both parties “were moving step by step towards constructive co-operation of good neighbours.”

Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar stated on Tuesday after the Estonian – Russian intergovernmental commission meeting that Estonian – Russian relations had never been so good as they were then. The Co-Chairman from the Russian part V.Matvijenko said that both parties were moving step by step towards constructive co-operation of good neighbours. Diena

The CBSS Commissioner O.Jespersen had to leave his post because of Estonia and Latvia that did not like his reports how Russian minority was treated in those two countries.

The CBSS Commissioner O.Jespersen had to leave his post because of Estonia and Latvia that did not like his reports how Russian minority was treated in those two countries. Neatkariga

Yesterday the Latvian Government found invalid the temporary agreement with Russia on eased border crossing procedure for border area residents. The agreement will become invalid on August 10. So far Russian party had not submitted any answer on the new eased border crossing procedure.

Yesterday the Latvian Government found invalid the temporary agreement with Russia on eased border crossing procedure for border area residents. The agreement will become invalid on August 10. So far Russian party had not submitted any answer on the new eased border crossing procedure. Neatkariga

The Minister of Well-being informed that 5-7% of all Latvian population lived in complete poverty, but about 80% did not live well. Comparing with the situation five years ago, these figures “were not so bad” – Latvia was still poorer that many other European countries, but it managed to get out from the group of the poorest countries.

The Minister of Well-being informed that 5-7% of all Latvian population lived in complete poverty, but about 80% did not live well. Comparing with the situation five years ago, these figures were not so bad – Latvia was still poorer that many other European countries, but it managed to get out from the group of the poorest countries. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Respublika

Finnish President T.Halonen called NATO leaders to consider the possible consequences of accepting Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to the NATO. This move could influence the security policy in the North Europe and in the whole Europe.

Finnish President T.Halonen called NATO leaders to consider the possible consequences of accepting Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to the NATO. This move could influence the security policy in the North Europe and in the whole Europe. Neatkariga, Respublika

Altogether 8 candidates have applied to the vacant position of the DCMA Head. The applications will be evaluated by July 24. The names of the candidates will not be made public according to the terms of the competition.

Altogether 8 candidates have applied to the vacant position of the DCMA Head. The applications will be evaluated by July 24. The names of the candidates will not be made public according to the terms of the competition. Neatkariga

According to the data of Central Statistics Board, last year the population number decreased in 57 towns of Latvia. The total number decreased for 0,63%.

According to the data of Central Statistics Board, last year the population number decreased in 57 towns of Latvia. The total number decreased for 0,63%. Respublika, Chas

The leader of the Saeima faction of Social Democrats E.Baldzens told the newspaper Chas about the opposition's plans the concerning privatisation of Latvenergo. They will still insist on organising the referendum although the position most probably will come forwards with their own proposals trying to prevent the referendum.

The leader of the Saeima faction of Social Democrats E.Baldzens told the newspaper Chas about the opposition's plans the concerning privatisation of Latvenergo. They will still insist on organising the referendum although the position most probably will come forwards with their own proposals trying to prevent the referendum. Chas

Chas

informs about an incident between the Latvian Youth Club and the State Language Inspection of the Riga City Council. On July 3 the Club put out an advertisement of an event in the Russian and Latvian languages. The same day the Chairman of the Club V.Yelkin received a phone call from language inspector Dishlere where she stated that the Russian text on the add was illegal. She suggested to take away the Russian part of the add and threatened with a fine of 100 Ls. When the Chairman reminded about the international standards, the inspector answered that he had a right to use Russian only at home, and nobody cared about international standards. informs about an incident between the Latvian Youth Club and the State Language Inspection of the Riga City Council. On July 3 the Club put out an advertisement of an event in the Russian and Latvian languages. The same day the Chairman of the Club V.Yelkin received a phone call from language inspector Dishlere where she stated that the Russian text on the add was illegal. She suggested to take away the Russian part of the add and threatened with a fine of 100 Ls. When the Chairman reminded about the international standards, the inspector answered that he had a right to use Russian only at home, and nobody cared about international standards. On Monday was defiled the Jewish memorial stone in Rumbula. A yellow six point star was spayed on the stone. Police started investigation on this fact. Vesti Segodnya

On Monday was defiled the Jewish memorial stone in Rumbula. A yellow six point star was spayed on the stone. Police started investigation on this fact. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Russian newspaper Moscow News published an interview with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins. The Minister said that Latvia was ready to sign different agreements with Russia, including the border agreement on which, according to I.Berzins, Russia had not taken a political decision to sign it. Speaking about the integration of non-Latvians, he stated that Latvian achievements were highly appreciated by their partners in Europe. The Minister pointed out that there would be no bilingualism on the state level in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Russian newspaper Moscow News published an interview with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins. The Minister said that Latvia was ready to sign different agreements with Russia, including the border agreement on which, according to I.Berzins, Russia had not taken a political decision to sign it. Speaking about the integration of non-Latvians, he stated that Latvian achievements were highly appreciated by their partners in Europe. The Minister pointed out that there would be no bilingualism on the state level in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya