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 long discussions on Monday the left wing union For Human Rights in United Latvia agreed on its list of candidates to the Riga City Council election. And as the No 1 is put the candidate proposed by the People’s Harmony Party S.Dolgopolov. All together on this list there are 24 candidates from People’s Harmony Party, 17 from Socialist Party, 14 – Equality.

After long discussions on Monday the left wing union For Human Rights in United Latvia agreed on its list of candidates to the Riga City Council election. And as the No 1 is put the candidate proposed by the Peoples Harmony Party S.Dolgopolov. All together on this list there are 24 candidates from Peoples Harmony Party, 17 from Socialist Party, 14 – Equality. Diena

Although the last Saeima election proved that including popular people on party lists not always gave positive results, the submitted lists still show that political forces had not given up the idea to increase their rating with the help of popular persons. So the Well-fare Party proposed former volleyball player P.Selivanovs as a candidate for the post of Riga Mayor, but People’s Party plans to include in their list Selivanov’s colleague R.Vilde. Also Latvian Way could not go without a former sportsman – the famous hockey player H.Balderis-Sildedzis.

Although the last Saeima election proved that including popular people on party lists not always gave positive results, the submitted lists still show that political forces had not given up the idea to increase their rating with the help of popular persons. So the Well-fare Party proposed former volleyball player P.Selivanovs as a candidate for the post of Riga Mayor, but Peoples Party plans to include in their list Selivanovs colleague R.Vilde. Also Latvian Way could not go without a former sportsman – the famous hockey player H.Balderis-Sildedzis. Neatkariga

Until March 10 is prolonged the Latvian – Russian agreement stipulating that Latvian and Russian border area residents might receive visas free of charge. Latvian – Russian discussion on eased border crossing for those people are still continuing.

Until March 10 is prolonged the Latvian – Russian agreement stipulating that Latvian and Russian border area residents might receive visas free of charge. Latvian – Russian discussion on eased border crossing for those people are still continuing. Neatkariga

Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga does not see a greater risk in the system of popularly elected president, as it is the current system when the Saeima elects president. In an interview to the Latvian Radio she admitted that in any system it was possible to elect to this post a person who was not ideally corresponding to it. V.Vike-Freiberga would be quite surprised if the Saeima deputies would be in raptures to give up their privilege to elect the State President.

Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga does not see a greater risk in the system of popularly elected president, as it is the current system when the Saeima elects president. In an interview to the Latvian Radio she admitted that in any system it was possible to elect to this post a person who was not ideally corresponding to it. V.Vike-Freiberga would be quite surprised if the Saeima deputies would be in raptures to give up their privilege to elect the State President. Neatkariga

President V.Vike-Freiberga handed the letter of accreditation to the new Latvian residing Ambassador to Ukraine Andris Vilcins who would also fulfil the duties of a non-residing Ambassador to Egypt.

President V.Vike-Freiberga handed the letter of accreditation to the new Latvian residing Ambassador to Ukraine Andris Vilcins who would also fulfil the duties of a non-residing Ambassador to Egypt. Diena, Neatkariga

The Saeima faction of the New Party that consists of 5 independent deputies now will be called the New Faction. This faction will support the present government of A.Berzins.

The Saeima faction of the New Party that consists of 5 independent deputies now will be called the New Faction. This faction will support the present government of A.Berzins. Respublika

Former president G.Ulmanis refused to candidate in the list of Farmers’ Party for the next local government election.

Former president G.Ulmanis refused to candidate in the list of Farmers Party for the next local government election. Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

informs that Latvian authorities are going to take a decision that would influence Russian citizens. The government discusses a draft on denouncing Latvian – Russian agreement of 1993 on transit travels of Russian citizens through Latvia. If it happens then Russian citizens going by train from St.Petersburg to Kaliningrad would need a Latvian visa. The newspaper describes this situation as ridiculous, adding that there in no Latvian Consulate in Kaliningrad. A.Arkadyev in

A.Arkadyev in Vesti Segodnya opposes to the statement made by Latvian newspaper Neatkariga that in the future Russia in its relations with Latvia would put more stress on Economy. The author points out that Russian foreign policy is formed by the President and realised by the MFA but not by the Ministry of Trade. And the present information proves that this year Moscow concerning Latvia intends to tie the political relations with the economic ones.

President V.Vike-Freiberga refused to comment on the presence of Russian nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad until a complete information is received. Yesterday Russian Embassy in Latvia circulated an announcement of Russian MFA that the information on presence of Russian nuclear armament in Kaliningrad Region “did not correspond to the reality”.

President V.Vike-Freiberga refused to comment on the presence of Russian nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad until a complete information is received. Yesterday Russian Embassy in Latvia circulated an announcement of Russian MFA that the information on presence of Russian nuclear armament in Kaliningrad Region did not correspond to the reality.

The newspaper

The newspaper Chas published comments and explanations on the new visa regime for Latvian non-citizens who wanted to visit Russia.