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

The Saeima faction FF/LNNK asked Prime Minister A.Berzins to the faction meeting to discuss the situation with signing Latvian – Lithuanian border agreement. Prime Minister repeated his previously stated position that ratification of this agreement would not be rushed until there was reached an agreement on fishing rights and economic co-operation between those two countries.

The Saeima faction FF/LNNK asked Prime Minister A.Berzins to the faction meeting to discuss the situation with signing Latvian – Lithuanian border agreement. Prime Minister repeated his previously stated position that ratification of this agreement would not be rushed until there was reached an agreement on fishing rights and economic co-operation between those two countries. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Today in Mezotne castle takes place a meting of Interior Ministers of the Baltic States and Russia to discuss strengthening of co-operation in fighting drugs and weapons’ smuggling, terrorism and economic crimes.

Today in Mezotne castle takes place a meting of Interior Ministers of the Baltic States and Russia to discuss strengthening of co-operation in fighting drugs and weapons smuggling, terrorism and economic crimes. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

Seems that the Saeima faction FF/LNNK has changed their attitude towards Social Democrats. Although these two parties are on the opposite ends of the political spectre, they have the same electorate and great chances to be successful in the next municipal election. Several politicians think that this is the reason for friendship between those two. But there are also talks that both parties have the same sponsors – entrepreneurs from Venspils.

Seems that the Saeima faction FF/LNNK has changed their attitude towards Social Democrats. Although these two parties are on the opposite ends of the political spectre, they have the same electorate and great chances to be successful in the next municipal election. Several politicians think that this is the reason for friendship between those two. But there are also talks that both parties have the same sponsors – entrepreneurs from Venspils. Diena

People’s Party under the leadership of Minister of Finances G.Berzins has started its pre-election activities. The Party plans to listen to the opinions of Riga residents to prepare the action program for this election. On Monday at a press conference People’s Party announced the start of their pre-election campaign and showed Riga map, divided in 52 districts. For every district there is one responsible Riga City Council candidate who will visit voters and listen to their opinions.

Peoples Party under the leadership of Minister of Finances G.Berzins has started its pre-election activities. The Party plans to listen to the opinions of Riga residents to prepare the action program for this election. On Monday at a press conference Peoples Party announced the start of their pre-election campaign and showed Riga map, divided in 52 districts. For every district there is one responsible Riga City Council candidate who will visit voters and listen to their opinions. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Respublika

On October 22 Prime Minister A.Berzins is going on a visit to the Netherlands. During this visit he will have meetings with the Dutch Prime Minister and Queen Beatrix.

On October 22 Prime Minister A.Berzins is going on a visit to the Netherlands. During this visit he will have meetings with the Dutch Prime Minister and Queen Beatrix. Neatkariga

With approaching of March 11 – the next municipal election, political parties start gradually revealing their future coalition partners. Major political forces have decided to run for Riga City Council independently. The toughest fight will be for the seats in the Riga City Council, and politicians explain it with the increasing influence of municipalities, especially in Riga, possibilities to play big politics and the concentration of large financial resources allowing realising vast scale strategically important projects. Now party offices are busy preparing candidate lists that will be made public in December.

With approaching of March 11 – the next municipal election, political parties start gradually revealing their future coalition partners. Major political forces have decided to run for Riga City Council independently. The toughest fight will be for the seats in the Riga City Council, and politicians explain it with the increasing influence of municipalities, especially in Riga, possibilities to play big politics and the concentration of large financial resources allowing realising vast scale strategically important projects. Now party offices are busy preparing candidate lists that will be made public in December. Neatkariga

Today Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will meet the Czech President V.Havel and Senate Speaker L.Benesheva. During this visit I.Berzins will discuss bilateral co-operation, security issues, EU expansion and relations with Russia.

Today Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will meet the Czech President V.Havel and Senate Speaker L.Benesheva. During this visit I.Berzins will discuss bilateral co-operation, security issues, EU expansion and relations with Russia. Respublika

Yesterday a conference on Holocaust was opened in Riga. The opening speech was delivered by Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga. The aim of the conference is to form the public understanding on this problem. Mostly academic discussions take place and local and foreign historians speak about the research on war-time crimes as well as discuss the most effective ways to research the Holocaust.

Yesterday a conference on Holocaust was opened in Riga. The opening speech was delivered by Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga. The aim of the conference is to form the public understanding on this problem. Mostly academic discussions take place and local and foreign historians speak about the research on war-time crimes as well as discuss the most effective ways to research the Holocaust. Diena, Respublika, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

S.Zaletayev from

S.Zaletayev from Panorama Latvii writing about the meeting of the political party Equality with Riga people, states that nine years ago a choice was made to divide people into citizens and non-citizens, thus turning the lives of many hundreds of thousands into a constant struggle for surviving. As people were divided, nothing prevented the authorities to increase rent and utility payments and monopolies charged for their services incredible sums of money. All this made many people to come to this meeting and discuss their problems with the party representatives.

O.Dementyeva starts her article in the newspaper

O.Dementyeva starts her article in the newspaper Chas with a description of one particular case of Rita from Rezekne Region. She has not exchanged her red – former USSR passport and now faces problems to find a job because employers ask her for a valid ID. And there are still many people like Rita. According to the data of the DCMA, about 15 thousand non-citizens and 10 thousand citizens live without valid IDs. Dz.Peneze, DCMA Passport Section Head assured the journalist that if a person had not exchanged his passport, it meant that he was either lazy or had a serious reason for that. Usually those are people who have no obligations towards the state – they have no need to cross the border, have no job or work without any employment contract. Chas