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

Yesterday the Government accepted amendments to the regulations on the Implementation of the State Language Law. The regulations determine the list of professions and jobs for which respective state language proficiency level is a mandatory pre-condition.

Yesterday the Government accepted amendments to the regulations on the Implementation of the State Language Law. The regulations determine the list of professions and jobs for which respective state language proficiency level is a mandatory pre-condition. Diena

Panorama Latvii judges the acceptance of the amendments in their present version as a gain for people whose native language is not Latvian and considers that such amendments were possible with “joint efforts of the OSCE Mission to Latvia and local human right defenders”.

Panorama Latvii judges the acceptance of the amendments in their present version as a gain for people whose native language is not Latvian and considers that such amendments were possible with joint efforts of the OSCE Mission to Latvia and local human right defenders.

In its group Latvia has acquired leading positions in negation talks on its accession to the EU. This year Latvia has closed 9 sections and it is 2 sections more than Lithuania, however, 6 sections less than Estonia has. Free movement of services, Free movement of capital, Legislation on Entrepreneurship, Fishery and Transport Policy are next sections to be discussed.

In its group Latvia has acquired leading positions in negation talks on its accession to the EU. This year Latvia has closed 9 sections and it is 2 sections more than Lithuania, however, 6 sections less than Estonia has. Free movement of services, Free movement of capital, Legislation on Entrepreneurship, Fishery and Transport Policy are next sections to be discussed. Diena, Chas

On Tuesday Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued note to Russia’s Embassy. Latvia asks Russia to guarantee guards for Latvia’s consulate in St.Petesburg as in both vandalism acts a security officer was not on guard.

On Tuesday Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued note to Russias Embassy. Latvia asks Russia to guarantee guards for Latvias consulate in St.Petesburg as in both vandalism acts a security officer was not on guard. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Latvia’s diplomats are concerned about threats of national bolshevists to take Latvia’s citizens who now are in Russia in hostages. Additional safety measures are taken in consulates in Moscow and St.Petersburg.

Latvias diplomats are concerned about threats of national bolshevists to take Latvias citizens who now are in Russia in hostages. Additional safety measures are taken in consulates in Moscow and St.Petersburg. Neatkariga

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in the interview for the magazine “Komersant” characterised relations with Russia as “very diverse and contradictory”. From the point of view of the Minister the uniting factor for both countries is that “Latvia has lost thousands of its people, who were killed during war operations and sent to Siberia, died in camps and emigrated to the West - which country if not Russia that itself has lost so many people could understand our country better”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in the interview for the magazine Komersant characterised relations with Russia as very diverse and contradictory. From the point of view of the Minister the uniting factor for both countries is that Latvia has lost thousands of its people, who were killed during war operations and sent to Siberia, died in camps and emigrated to the West - which country if not Russia that itself has lost so many people could understand our country better. Vesti Segodnja

Respublika

looks at relations between Russia and Latvia in the light of the recent events. In regard to the latest actions of national bolshevists the newspaper emphasis the fact that Latvia received warning about these actions from Russia Security Service; another positive sign in the relationship between the two countries is the agreement on the exchange of the buildings between Latvijas dzelzcels (Latvias Railway) and Moscow Transport Department. Good words are also devoted to the President of Latvia – in her interview for Russias TV she said that she is sorry that Russia does not participate in Latvias integration programmes. looks at relations between Russia and Latvia in the light of the recent events. In regard to the latest actions of national bolshevists the newspaper emphasis the fact that Latvia received warning about these actions from Russia Security Service; another positive sign in the relationship between the two countries is the agreement on the exchange of the buildings between “Latvijas dzelzcels” (Latvia’s Railway) and Moscow Transport Department. Good words are also devoted to the President of Latvia – in her interview for Russia’s TV she said that she is sorry that Russia does not participate in Latvia’s integration programmes.