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

Three quarters or 75.9 percent of residents of the Latvian capital believe Riga City Council should promote economic co-operation with Russia and other CIS countries, a public opinion poll shows.

Three quarters or 75.9 percent of residents of the Latvian capital believe Riga City Council should promote economic co-operation with Russia and other CIS countries, a public opinion poll shows. Lauku Avize, Chas

After 100 days Daugavpils City Council experiences instability in the ruling coalition. Although Daugavpils mayor R.Eigims voices that it had no influence on Council’s work, the response of Daugavpils’ means of mass media and the statements of other parties show that political battle has started again. Yesterday Daugavpils City Party headed by the former Daugavpils’ mayor A.Vidavskis came up with the statement for the residents saying that Eigims’ party activities cause real threats to democracy in the city.

After 100 days Daugavpils City Council experiences instability in the ruling coalition. Although Daugavpils mayor R.Eigims voices that it had no influence on Councils work, the response of Daugavpils means of mass media and the statements of other parties show that political battle has started again. Yesterday Daugavpils City Party headed by the former Daugavpils mayor A.Vidavskis came up with the statement for the residents saying that Eigims party activities cause real threats to democracy in the city. Diena, Chas, Respublika

Riga vice-mayor paid a visit to Belarus capital Minsk where he studied Minsk's experience in apartment construction and discussed the possibilities to expand cargo transit via Riga port. Currently S.Dolgopolovs is visiting St.Petersburg.

Riga vice-mayor paid a visit to Belarus capital Minsk where he studied Minsk's experience in apartment construction and discussed the possibilities to expand cargo transit via Riga port. Currently S.Dolgopolovs is visiting St.Petersburg. Diena, Vesti Segodnja

As of today till 8 of July repeated municipal election takes place in the rural district Preili. The residents inquired by

As of today till 8 of July repeated municipal election takes place in the rural district Preili. The residents inquired by Neatkariga complained about incorrect pre-election campaigns of the parties. According to the unofficial sources of information one of the leading parties had bought and legitimated passports in order to win election. Neatkariga, Jauna

Discussions about re-calculation of non-citizens pensions is going on.

Discussions about re-calculation of non-citizens pensions is going on. Lauku Avize tried to find out accurate numbers of non-citizens whose pensions should be re-calculated and the amount which should be paid to them, however, the Ministry of Welfare responded that there is no such data base and no such calculations have been made. Welfare minister A.Pozharnov does not agree with the Coalition about the exclusion of this part from the agreement with Russia, he says according to approximate calculations it would cost Latvia LVL 2 million a year – we have to evaluate what we gain from other agreements with Russia, whether they compensate this amount.

It has been 100 days since the mayor of Riga City Council is Social Democrat G.Bojars.

It has been 100 days since the mayor of Riga City Council is Social Democrat G.Bojars. Lauku Avize as his biggest successes names the establishment of the Coalition at Riga City Council and election of both vice-mayors. Among the failures the newspaper names the decree on awarding Council deputies with big bonuses although they had been working only for a month. The most serious challenge for the mayor will be the organisation of the days of Riga 800 anniversary. Rigas Balss

State Language Centre director Dz.Hirsha considers that the Federal Russian Language Programme adopted by the Russian Government is an attempt of intervention and it could result in bilingual situation in Latvia.

State Language Centre director Dz.Hirsha considers that the Federal Russian Language Programme adopted by the Russian Government is an attempt of intervention and it could result in bilingual situation in Latvia. Chas hopes that radicals would not undertake any measures to stop the activities of the programme. Respublika

Yesterday Saeima ruling Coalition gave a press conference “Achievements and Failures of 7th Saeima”. The initiators of the conference were the members of the economic union “Union of Economists – 2010” minister R.Zile and ex-ministers O.Kehris and E.Krastinshs. The victory at the next election is very important as particularly at that period Latvia would join the EU and NATO, were admitted by all participants. Prime Minister A.Berzinsh doubts the possibility of formation of a new political party and O.Kehris even doubts possibility to establish more friendly relations among the ruling parties. As the biggest failure all parties named discrediting of privatisation process.

Yesterday Saeima ruling Coalition gave a press conference Achievements and Failures of 7th Saeima. The initiators of the conference were the members of the economic union Union of Economists – 2010 minister R.Zile and ex-ministers O.Kehris and E.Krastinshs. The victory at the next election is very important as particularly at that period Latvia would join the EU and NATO, were admitted by all participants. Prime Minister A.Berzinsh doubts the possibility of formation of a new political party and O.Kehris even doubts possibility to establish more friendly relations among the ruling parties. As the biggest failure all parties named discrediting of privatisation process. Respublika

Respublika

re-publishes President V.Vike-Freibergas interview for Salzburger Nachrichten. The main questions were in regard to the attitude of the people of Latvia to the EU, Latvias membership in the EU and NATO, Latvia and Russia. As the main Latvias problem in the accession process to the EU the President voices the lack of funds. In regard to the membership to NATO, V.Vike-Freiberga says that the sooner Latvia joins NATO, the better gets relations with Russia.

Respublika

launches new series of discussions on the topics actual for society. The participants of the first discussion are the columnist of launches new series of discussions on the topics actual for society. The participants of the first discussion are the columnist of RespublikaRespublika Z.Kacs, Naturalisation Board deputy head J.Kahanovich, NHRO legal adviser J.Butkevichs, Latvian Human Rights Institute deputy director M.Mits, Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre director N.Muizhnieks, Latvian Human Rights Committee member L.Raihmans and the subject of the discussion is different problems concerning human rights and national minority rights in Latvia. Z.Kacs, Naturalisation Board deputy head J.Kahanovich, NHRO legal adviser J.Butkevichs, Latvian Human Rights Institute deputy director M.Mits, Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre director N.Muizhnieks, Latvian Human Rights Committee member L.Raihmans and the subject of the discussion is different problems concerning human rights and national minority rights in Latvia. Social Democrat V.Lazo gives her opinion about the Law on Integration Foundation.

Social Democrat V.Lazo gives her opinion about the Law on Integration Foundation. Panorama Latvii quotes V.Lazo we expected that Russians would leave just after Latvia regained its independence. If at that moment we had asked the international organisations to provide financial assistance to help these people to leave for their ethnic countries, we would have received big support. Now foreign foundations and organisations view the processes in Latvia with not such a big concern as process in Macedonia, however, the processes taking place here are important on the world scale.