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 Social Democratic Workers Party and FF/LNNK party have completed work on their coalition agreement project and handed it in for discussions at the party factions and boards. Social democrat board member Janis Dinevics said that the two-page agreement project, including principles on joint work at the city council and the necessity to establish a co-ordination council, has been handed to the party factions for assessment. Dinevics did not wish to give any more details on the agreement until it is discussed and announced acceptable by both party factions.

The Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and FF/LNNK party have completed work on their coalition agreement project and handed it in for discussions at the party factions and boards. Social democrat board member Janis Dinevics said that the two-page agreement project, including principles on joint work at the city council and the necessity to establish a co-ordination council, has been handed to the party factions for assessment. Dinevics did not wish to give any more details on the agreement until it is discussed and announced acceptable by both party factions. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Neatkariga gives a short article about the presentation of the booklet “Ten Questions About Society Integration in Latvia” and mentions the sponsors of the booklet.

Neatkariga gives a short article about the presentation of the booklet Ten Questions About Society Integration in Latvia and mentions the sponsors of the booklet.

To foster integration, the examination in the Latvian language at national minority schools should be comparable to language examinations for naturalisation. Such opinion was voiced during the meeting of foreign minister I.Berzins and OSCE Mission to Latvia head P.Semenby.

To foster integration, the examination in the Latvian language at national minority schools should be comparable to language examinations for naturalisation. Such opinion was voiced during the meeting of foreign minister I.Berzins and OSCE Mission to Latvia head P.Semenby. Rigas Balss

Lawmakers from FF/LNNK party have gathered the required number of signatures to set up a parliamentary commission for investigation in the agreement signed in 1991 between Latvia's then legislative body Supreme Council and Soviet Union's KGB. He said the proposal was signed by MPs from FF/LNNK parliament faction, several MPs from the other two coalition partners Latvia's Way and People's Party as well as by Social Democrat MPs. The protocol of agreement signed in 1991 by Supreme Council and KGB provides for ensuring rights of the former KGB employees and, if needed, appointing them on a job.

Lawmakers from FF/LNNK party have gathered the required number of signatures to set up a parliamentary commission for investigation in the agreement signed in 1991 between Latvia's then legislative body Supreme Council and Soviet Union's KGB. He said the proposal was signed by MPs from FF/LNNK parliament faction, several MPs from the other two coalition partners Latvia's Way and People's Party as well as by Social Democrat MPs. The protocol of agreement signed in 1991 by Supreme Council and KGB provides for ensuring rights of the former KGB employees and, if needed, appointing them on a job. Jauna, Respublika, Chas

Yesterday a new project targeted to society integration in Latvia was presented. In the framework of the project the series of TV discussions “2+2” will be aired on LTV channel II during 20 Sundays and it will reflect actual issues concerning national minorities in Latvia. The programme is organised in the form of discussions between 2 Russian and 2 Latvian journalists. Among the producers of the programme are the members of Latvian Committee on Human Rights T.Zhdanok and G.Kotov.

Yesterday a new project targeted to society integration in Latvia was presented. In the framework of the project the series of TV discussions 2+2 will be aired on LTV channel II during 20 Sundays and it will reflect actual issues concerning national minorities in Latvia. The programme is organised in the form of discussions between 2 Russian and 2 Latvian journalists. Among the producers of the programme are the members of Latvian Committee on Human Rights T.Zhdanok and G.Kotov. Respublika, Vesti Segodnja

Chas

writes about the amendments to the Law regarding imposing administrative fines for violating the State Language Law. FHRUL deputy M.Mitrafanovs comments that the new edition provides for that not only legal entities but also self-employed persons can be fined and that the State Language Centre wants to return the fines for omitting grammar mistakes, although the OSCE was against that. writes about the amendments to the Law regarding imposing administrative fines for violating the State Language Law. FHRUL deputy M.Mitrafanovs comments that the new edition provides for that not only legal entities but also self-employed persons can be fined and that the State Language Centre wants to return the fines for omitting grammar mistakes, although the OSCE was against that. Yesterday Russian EU summit was launched in Moscow. Russian President V.Putin met with EU President V.Prodi. Russian President draw attention of V.Prodi to the situation of national minorities in Latvia. “What regards Latvia’s integration to the EU we will pay special attention to the situation of national minorities and big number of non-citizens”, said V.Prodi.

Yesterday Russian EU summit was launched in Moscow. Russian President V.Putin met with EU President V.Prodi. Russian President draw attention of V.Prodi to the situation of national minorities in Latvia. What regards Latvias integration to the EU we will pay special attention to the situation of national minorities and big number of non-citizens, said V.Prodi. Vesti Segodnja

Prime Minister A.Berzins gave an interview for the National Radio. When asked if non-citizens will take part at municipal election, Prime Minister says that it will not happen until we reach an integrated society, however, he could not define what is an integrated society in his opinion. Prime Minister said that those who want to be involved in state affairs have to naturalise. The main argument of Prime Minister why non-citizens should not have rights to take part at municipal elections is that therefore they could lose motivation to integrate. In regard to relations with Russia, A.Berzins says that “recently these relations have got a new impulse and have developed far ahead. Russia has realised that we are not going to attack anybody and our membership to NATO is not directed against anybody”.

Prime Minister A.Berzins gave an interview for the National Radio. When asked if non-citizens will take part at municipal election, Prime Minister says that it will not happen until we reach an integrated society, however, he could not define what is an integrated society in his opinion. Prime Minister said that those who want to be involved in state affairs have to naturalise. The main argument of Prime Minister why non-citizens should not have rights to take part at municipal elections is that therefore they could lose motivation to integrate. In regard to relations with Russia, A.Berzins says that recently these relations have got a new impulse and have developed far ahead. Russia has realised that we are not going to attack anybody and our membership to NATO is not directed against anybody. Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnja