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

Russia's new ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov, Tuesday presented his credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The president voiced a hope talking to the new ambassador that his work will mark as new turn in bilateral relations between the two countries, which are "far from being exhausted". In her address the president said Latvia and Russia should assess their historic heritage. Vike-Freiberga also affirmed Latvia's readiness to become Russia's partner both at regional and global level.

Russia's new ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov, Tuesday presented his credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The president voiced a hope talking to the new ambassador that his work will mark as new turn in bilateral relations between the two countries, which are "far from being exhausted". In her address the president said Latvia and Russia should assess their historic heritage. Vike-Freiberga also affirmed Latvia's readiness to become Russia's partner both at regional and global level. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Yesterday the new Riga City Council Mayor was elected – with marginal majority of the votes for (31 out of 60) G.Bojars (social democrat) was elected to the post, however, according to the preliminary agreements social democrats’ candidate had to receive 34 votes. There is no information who did not keep the promise. FHRUL member Dolgopolov was elected to the post of the deputy with 41 votes for and 19 against. Although the outcome of the vote for Dolgopolov indicated that at least three representatives from coalition government parties had voted in favour of the leftist nominee, spokesmen from all three ruling coalition partners maintained that their parties had voted against Dolgopolov. Andris Argalis, a city council member from Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party, told that his party had voted against Dolgopolov. Argalis suggested, however, that votes in favour of the leftist candidate had been cast by "one of the ruling parties which lays great hopes to that wing."

Yesterday the new Riga City Council Mayor was elected – with marginal majority of the votes for (31 out of 60) G.Bojars (social democrat) was elected to the post, however, according to the preliminary agreements social democrats candidate had to receive 34 votes. There is no information who did not keep the promise. FHRUL member Dolgopolov was elected to the post of the deputy with 41 votes for and 19 against. Although the outcome of the vote for Dolgopolov indicated that at least three representatives from coalition government parties had voted in favour of the leftist nominee, spokesmen from all three ruling coalition partners maintained that their parties had voted against Dolgopolov. Andris Argalis, a city council member from Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party, told that his party had voted against Dolgopolov. Argalis suggested, however, that votes in favour of the leftist candidate had been cast by "one of the ruling parties which lays great hopes to that wing."

G.Bojars had intended to have three vice-mayors and offered one of those offices to FF/LNNK and one to small parties, which secured for him the mayor's office. FF/LNNK rejected the offer and submitted a proposal about the mayor having only one vice-mayor. Social Democrats said it was "a provocation" and claimed that the proposal lacked legal effect due to a number of details.

G.Bojars had intended to have three vice-mayors and offered one of those offices to FF/LNNK and one to small parties, which secured for him the mayor's office. FF/LNNK rejected the offer and submitted a proposal about the mayor having only one vice-mayor. Social Democrats said it was "a provocation" and claimed that the proposal lacked legal effect due to a number of details. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Political scientists provide their considerations about the durance and stability of the current situation at Riga City Council. The major threats to its stability are the fact that “coalition” is formed of too many representatives, social democrats lack city administrative skills and Social Democrats leader J.Bojars has authoritative governance style.

Political scientists provide their considerations about the durance and stability of the current situation at Riga City Council. The major threats to its stability are the fact that coalition is formed of too many representatives, social democrats lack city administrative skills and Social Democrats leader J.Bojars has authoritative governance style. Neatkariga

The formation of Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has been completed and the commission is ready to start working, said commission co-chairman, Latvian transportation minister Anatolijs Gorbunovs. They agree that the formation of Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has been completed and the commission is ready to start work, said commission co-chairman, Latvian transportation minister Anatolijs Gorbunovs. After the meeting with Russian co-chairman Alexander Blokhin, the minister for ethnic affairs, on Tuesday in Moscow Gorbunovs told reporters that the Russian party had finally established task forces and the commission could begin drafting the agreement. During this year it is planned to sign two important agreements – one in the field of customs and the other regarding pensions export between the two countries.

The formation of Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has been completed and the commission is ready to start working, said commission co-chairman, Latvian transportation minister Anatolijs Gorbunovs. They agree that the formation of Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has been completed and the commission is ready to start work, said commission co-chairman, Latvian transportation minister Anatolijs Gorbunovs. After the meeting with Russian co-chairman Alexander Blokhin, the minister for ethnic affairs, on Tuesday in Moscow Gorbunovs told reporters that the Russian party had finally established task forces and the commission could begin drafting the agreement. During this year it is planned to sign two important agreements – one in the field of customs and the other regarding pensions export between the two countries. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Respublika

The Latvian government Tuesday cancelled the agreement with Russia under which Russian citizens were not required to obtain visas to cross Latvia in transit by railway. The Latvian Foreign Ministry said the agreement had to be annulled due to the European Union (EU) requirements.

Diena, Neatkariga, Chas Yesterday the Government postponed the revision of the ID card introduction in Latvia.

Yesterday the Government postponed the revision of the ID card introduction in Latvia. Neatkariga

Chas

talks with I.Staljnoj, the leader of the youth movement that organised the meeting in defence of the rights of Russians to study in the Russian language on 9 March. In his opinion, all subjects have to be taught in Russian otherwise Russian students would not be able to compete with Latvian students, however, the Latvian should be taught on higher level at schools. talks with I.Staljnoj, the leader of the youth movement that organised the meeting in defence of the rights of Russians to study in the Russian language on 9 March. In his opinion, all subjects have to be taught in Russian otherwise Russian students would not be able to compete with Latvian students, however, the Latvian should be taught on higher level at schools.