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 Latvian parliament on Thursday turned down no-confidence vote against Economics Minister Aigars Kalvitis, initiated by opposition Social Democrats accusing him over illegalities in Latvian Shipping Company (LASCO) privatisation. Kalvitis survived the vote with 50 votes against 32 and six abstentions. The minister himself did not arrive at the parliament for the vote as he is in Cologne to support Latvian national ice-hockey team in the world championships there.

The Latvian parliament on Thursday turned down no-confidence vote against Economics Minister Aigars Kalvitis, initiated by opposition Social Democrats accusing him over illegalities in Latvian Shipping Company (LASCO) privatisation. Kalvitis survived the vote with 50 votes against 32 and six abstentions. The minister himself did not arrive at the parliament for the vote as he is in Cologne to support Latvian national ice-hockey team in the world championships there. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika, Jauna Avize

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer Thursday in Riga urged Latvia to grant non-citizens the voting right in the local elections so they can take part in the local authorities democracy process. Schwimmer said speaking in a conference called Local Democracy at the Beginning of the 21st Century that such is CE recommendation to Latvia as a European Union candidate country. He called on non-citizens to naturalise adding that CE would only support it.

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer Thursday in Riga urged Latvia to grant non-citizens the voting right in the local elections so they can take part in the local authorities democracy process. Schwimmer said speaking in a conference called Local Democracy at the Beginning of the 21st Century that such is CE recommendation to Latvia as a European Union candidate country. He called on non-citizens to naturalise adding that CE would only support it. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga,

During the meeting of Secretary General with Latvian Prime Minister both officials discussed Latvian presidency in CoE. During her presidency Latvia paid much attention to language policy, protection of cultural heritage. The Secretary General acknowledged that the language of every nation as a proof of its identity would be very important when joining EU.

During the meeting of Secretary General with Latvian Prime Minister both officials discussed Latvian presidency in CoE. During her presidency Latvia paid much attention to language policy, protection of cultural heritage. The Secretary General acknowledged that the language of every nation as a proof of its identity would be very important when joining EU. Latvijas Vestnesis

The Latvian government headed by Prime Minister Andris Berzins during its first year in the office has been able to achieve major progress in foreign policy priorities and to contribute to economic growth in the country, the premier said Thursday. At the meeting with chief editors from Latvian regional newspapers Berzins said that his government's foreign policy priorities were membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO as well as improved relations with all neighbouring countries. A major "breakthrough" has also been made in relations with Latvia's largest neighbour, Russia, the Latvian premier said, mentioning as achievements in this area the visit by Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins to Moscow where he met with his Russian counterpart, the meeting between Latvia and Russian presidents in Austria as well as progress in the work of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

The Latvian government headed by Prime Minister Andris Berzins during its first year in the office has been able to achieve major progress in foreign policy priorities and to contribute to economic growth in the country, the premier said Thursday. At the meeting with chief editors from Latvian regional newspapers Berzins said that his government's foreign policy priorities were membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO as well as improved relations with all neighbouring countries. A major "breakthrough" has also been made in relations with Latvia's largest neighbour, Russia, the Latvian premier said, mentioning as achievements in this area the visit by Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins to Moscow where he met with his Russian counterpart, the meeting between Latvia and Russian presidents in Austria as well as progress in the work of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission. BNS

Latvian journalists interviewed Finnish President T.Hallonen about Finnish position on the plans of the Baltic States to join NATO, Finnish experiences when joining EU and future plans for co-operation with the Baltic States.

Latvian journalists interviewed Finnish President T.Hallonen about Finnish position on the plans of the Baltic States to join NATO, Finnish experiences when joining EU and future plans for co-operation with the Baltic States. Diena

This weekend Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will participate in unofficial meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU member and candidate states that will take place in Sweden. They will exchange their opinions about the future of Europe.

This weekend Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will participate in unofficial meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU member and candidate states that will take place in Sweden. They will exchange their opinions about the future of Europe. Neatkariga

Riga major J.Bojars charged Juridical Department of the Council to prepare an answer to the State Language Centre about the procedure how officials of the Centre could test the language proficiency level of 6 Council members. These six deputies: S.Zaletajev, G.Kotov, V.Buzajev, O.Shipcov, I.Ivanov and M.Gavrilov refused to meet Centre’s officials because they already had those documents.

Riga major J.Bojars charged Juridical Department of the Council to prepare an answer to the State Language Centre about the procedure how officials of the Centre could test the language proficiency level of 6 Council members. These six deputies: S.Zaletajev, G.Kotov, V.Buzajev, O.Shipcov, I.Ivanov and M.Gavrilov refused to meet Centres officials because they already had those documents. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Chas

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Vesti Segodnya cites an article in a German newspaper Stuttgarte Nachrichten where it was written that although Russia was not a member of EU, Russian language might become a working language of this organisation. And it could be Latvia that would make it happen because 1/5 of its population does not know the state language but everybody knows Russian. The German newspaper foresees that this delicate issue about the Russian language as a working language would be discusses during the next visit of Commissioner G.Verheugen to Riga. Meanwhile Latvian politicians demand to make stricter penalties for violating norms of the language law. Yesterday MP Abikis sent a letter to the Saeima Juridical Commission expressing his incomprehension about the slow process of preparing amendments to the Administrative Code. It weakens the positions of the Latvian language. And as a consequence of it language inspection may not test the language proficiency level of Riga City Council deputies from For Human Rights in United Latvia faction.

Yesterday Russian Minister of Culture arrived to Riga. It was planned that he would bring an official program of Latvian – Russian co-operation for two years, signed by Russian Prime Minister M.Kasyanov, but Russian heag of the government was too busy to sign it. Nevertheless, Latvian and Russian Ministers will discuss the last details of this program. Chas