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 European Union member and candidate countries should be mutually more co-operative and flexible in the EU enlargement talks to reduce social tension and solve social issues in the candidate countries, Latvian prime minister said at the conference devoted to social dimension of the EU enlargement. European Commission Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen noted that conclusions drawn during the conference will be useful in forming the EU position on chapters of the membership talks, especially those which are "sensitive" both for the candidate and member countries, like competition policy, environment, transport, energy and others. Verheugen said the conference marks a trend that social issues have acceded on agenda and agreed that "flexibility is the best way for solution of problems".

The European Union member and candidate countries should be mutually more co-operative and flexible in the EU enlargement talks to reduce social tension and solve social issues in the candidate countries, Latvian prime minister said at the conference devoted to social dimension of the EU enlargement. European Commission Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen noted that conclusions drawn during the conference will be useful in forming the EU position on chapters of the membership talks, especially those which are "sensitive" both for the candidate and member countries, like competition policy, environment, transport, energy and others. Verheugen said the conference marks a trend that social issues have acceded on agenda and agreed that "flexibility is the best way for solution of problems". Diena

“If any of Russian language schools thinks that it is not ready to teach subjects for 10 graders exclusively in the state language in 2004, it should immediately turn for assistance to the Ministry of Science and Education”, assured education minister K.Greiskalns at the conference for the principles of national schools. In his opinion it is possible to catch up in the upcoming two years. However, a part of principles were sure that teaching of such subjects as math, chemistry, biology should be continued in bilingual way.

If any of Russian language schools thinks that it is not ready to teach subjects for 10 graders exclusively in the state language in 2004, it should immediately turn for assistance to the Ministry of Science and Education, assured education minister K.Greiskalns at the conference for the principles of national schools. In his opinion it is possible to catch up in the upcoming two years. However, a part of principles were sure that teaching of such subjects as math, chemistry, biology should be continued in bilingual way. Diena

Lauku Avize

provides full text of Russian President V.Putins speech given at the Compatriot Congress. provides full text of Russian President V.Putin’s speech given at the Compatriot Congress. Russian President V.Putin has called the Russians residing abroad to return to their ethnic homeland. International Migration Organisation representative office in Riga Head I .Mezs says that maybe some would leave but in accordance with statistics no big increase will be experienced. However, people are interested in the issues concerning immigration – about 30 000 people have made inquiries at the Russian embassy.

Russian President V.Putin has called the Russians residing abroad to return to their ethnic homeland. International Migration Organisation representative office in Riga Head I .Mezs says that maybe some would leave but in accordance with statistics no big increase will be experienced. However, people are interested in the issues concerning immigration – about 30 000 people have made inquiries at the Russian embassy. Neatkariga

Jauna

publishes an interview with Latvian PM A.Berzins. He was asked rather traditional questions – about the perspectives of LW at the next Saeima election, its new competitor Repses party, next year budget and the management of the work at the CoM. When asked about his future plans (after the new Saeima election) A.Berzins says that probably he would stay with the party and in politics and, after all, why not in the Government. publishes an interview with Latvian PM A.Berzins. He was asked rather traditional questions – about the perspectives of LW at the next Saeima election, its new competitor Repse’s party, next year budget and the management of the work at the CoM. When asked about his future plans (after the new Saeima election) A.Berzins says that probably he would stay with the party and in politics and, after all, why not in the Government. Discrimination of Russian citizens could be one reason behind reviewing Russian policy regarding the countries where the discrimination takes place - particularly in Latvia and Estonia, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov today declared at the Moscow congress of Russian compatriots residing abroad. Luzhkov called the attitude towards Russian-speaking people in Latvia and Estonia as "blatant apartheid", adding that discrimination exists also in the Ukraine where it refers to language and culture of Russian-speaking population. Luzhkov stressed that Russia's duty is to make every effort in order to protect Russian-speaking rights and interests abroad. He

Discrimination of Russian citizens could be one reason behind reviewing Russian policy regarding the countries where the discrimination takes place - particularly in Latvia and Estonia, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov today declared at the Moscow congress of Russian compatriots residing abroad. Luzhkov called the attitude towards Russian-speaking people in Latvia and Estonia as "blatant apartheid", adding that discrimination exists also in the Ukraine where it refers to language and culture of Russian-speaking population. Luzhkov stressed that Russia's duty is to make every effort in order to protect Russian-speaking rights and interests abroad. He

declared that the Russian language is accepted as the second state language in neighbouring countries. Russian State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev declared that the State Duma will review the citizenship draft in the fall session as well as set principles for the attitude to compatriots as one of priorities.

declared that the Russian language is accepted as the second state language in neighbouring countries. Russian State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev declared that the State Duma will review the citizenship draft in the fall session as well as set principles for the attitude to compatriots as one of priorities. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Chas

publishes parts of the Latvian TV show From the Position of Power with the Russian State Duma deputy V.Igrunov as a guest. The main discussion subject was Russians residing abroad and Putins call to return to Russia. In V.Igrunovs opinion Russias assistance to its compatriots should not be in the form of money but as ensuring possibilities – scholarships, education – it is necessary that in their countries of residence their children could study in a mother tongue, it is necessary that Russian radio is listened in Riga and Kiev. If the stress is placed only to providing money then all your nationalists will become the Russians. In regard to Putins invitation Irgunov says that Putin is a new politician, easy to train and not making too many mistakes. But to call Russian compatriots to Russia was a mistake. Nobody is waiting for them in Russia. publishes parts of the Latvian TV show “From the Position of Power” with the Russian State Duma deputy V.Igrunov as a guest. The main discussion subject was Russians residing abroad and Putin’s call to return to Russia. In V.Igrunov’s opinion Russia’s assistance to its compatriots should not be in the form of money but as ensuring possibilities – scholarships, education – “it is necessary that in their countries of residence their children could study in a mother tongue, it is necessary that Russian radio is listened in Riga and Kiev. If the stress is placed only to providing money then all your nationalists will become the Russians”. In regard to Putin’s invitation Irgunov says that “Putin is a new politician, easy to train and not making too many mistakes. But to call Russian compatriots to Russia was a mistake. Nobody is waiting for them in Russia”. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas

Chas

also gives the information about what type and in which amount Russia has provided its assistance to its compatriots in Latvia. The projects supported by Russia are the following: for the cultural educational Russian children centre Roots – about USD 2 million; Riga Children Music school was provided with the music instruments; Russian schools were provided with study books; 48 students from Latvia have scholarship of Moscow Mayor. also gives the information about what type and in which amount Russia has provided its assistance to its compatriots in Latvia. The projects supported by Russia are the following: for the cultural educational Russian children centre “Roots” – about USD 2 million; Riga Children Music school was provided with the music instruments; Russian schools were provided with study books; 48 students from Latvia have scholarship of Moscow Mayor.

Chas

introduces its readers with the alternative education model developed by ASRLSL headed by I.Pimenovs. introduces its readers with the alternative education model developed by ASRLSL headed by I.Pimenovs. Friday interested people had a possibility to meet with the director of publishing house “Vieda” A.Garda.

Friday interested people had a possibility to meet with the director of publishing house Vieda A.Garda. Vesti Segodnja gives some quotes of his speech.

Vesti Segodnja

columnist A.Yelkin gives his conclusion concerning the Compatriot Congress in Moscow. First, Assistance Program to Compatriots was made; second, the Russian Government will use all diplomatic and politic measures to protect Russian rights in their countries of residence. Third, Russia will do its best to unify Russian NGOs and political organisation. And finally, Russia will leave the choice whether to stay as the member of the diaspora or return to historical homeland. columnist A.Yelkin gives his conclusion concerning the Compatriot Congress in Moscow. First, Assistance Program to Compatriots was made; second, the Russian Government will use all diplomatic and politic measures to protect Russian rights in their countries of residence. Third, Russia will do its best to unify Russian NGOs and political organisation. And finally, Russia will leave the choice whether to stay as the member of the diaspora or return to historical homeland.