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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that the Constitution should be amended so that in future the president of state will be popularly elected. As to the possibility of running for a second presidency term, Vike-Freiberga said she would be pleased to accept the offer. “Of course, I would like to believe that it is because I do my job well and people appreciate it," said Vike-Freiberga. The Latvian president has been continuously rated as the most popular political figure in the country, according to public opinion polls.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that the Constitution should be amended so that in future the president of state will be popularly elected. As to the possibility of running for a second presidency term, Vike-Freiberga said she would be pleased to accept the offer. Of course, I would like to believe that it is because I do my job well and people appreciate it," said Vike-Freiberga. The Latvian president has been continuously rated as the most popular political figure in the country, according to public opinion polls. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Telegraf

The recently established Society Integration Foundation had opening of its new premises yesterday.

The recently established Society Integration Foundation had opening of its new premises yesterday. Diena gives a very brief note about the opening. Chas and Latvijas Vestnesis provide more detailed information about the Foundation.

Lauku Avize

interviews Society Integration Foundation Council chairperson Ramona Umblija. She talks about the body of the Board: in her opinion national minorities are well represented at the Board. R.Umblija talks about the possible sources of funding and international donors are named as one of the main sources. She also gives her interpretation of the term integration – in her opinion the term is too politicised and it should also be understood as social integration and not only integration of national minorities. interviews Society Integration Foundation Council chairperson Ramona Umblija. She talks about the body of the Board: in her opinion national minorities are well represented at the Board. R.Umblija talks about the possible sources of funding and international donors are named as one of the main sources. She also gives her interpretation of the term “integration” – in her opinion the term is too politicised and it should also be understood as social integration and not only integration of national minorities.

Lauku Avize

interviews Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane about the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign (PACPC). interviews Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane about the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign (PACPC). Lauku AvizeLauku Avize journalist starts with criticism towards another event concerning integration issues in Latvia the media seminar The Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided? claiming that one and the same persons with well known views talk about these issues therefore it is waste of time. When talking about PACPC the journalist asks You have to agree that you are under the influence of the OSCE to some extent?, E.Aldermane replies that she is neither under supervision of Mr.Semneby nor influenced by him if it were like this, you would see completely different Campaign. E.Aldermane explains what she understands with the term naturalisation, about non-citizens place in Latvia and influence and role of Russian mass media. journalist starts with criticism towards another event concerning integration issues in Latvia the media seminar “The Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided?” claiming that “one and the same persons with well known views talk about these issues therefore it is waste of time”. When talking about PACPC the journalist asks “You have to agree that you are under the influence of the OSCE to some extent?”, E.Aldermane replies that she is neither under supervision of Mr.Semneby nor influenced by him “if it were like this, you would see completely different Campaign”. E.Aldermane explains what she understands with the term “naturalisation”, about non-citizens place in Latvia and influence and role of Russian mass media.

Lauku Avize

interviews Finnish ambassador to Latvia Kirsti Eskelinen about foreign policy of Finland, its place in todays Europe, Latvias place in Finlands foreign policy. interviews Finnish ambassador to Latvia Kirsti Eskelinen about foreign policy of Finland, its place in today’s Europe, Latvia’s place in Finland’s foreign policy.

Rigas Balss

writes about the possible closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The politicians of ruling parties voice that further presence of the OSCE Mission to Latvia is the waste of OSCEs money. However, the opposition politicians disagree with that. FHRUL S.Dolgopolovs says that OSCE Mission to Latvia should continue its presence in Latvia, as well as he express his disappointment in the Society Integration Foundation saying it turned out that the Foundation can offer only fostering of culture and nothing else. writes about the possible closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The politicians of ruling parties voice that further presence of the OSCE Mission to Latvia is “the waste of OSCE’s money”. However, the opposition politicians disagree with that. FHRUL S.Dolgopolovs says that OSCE Mission to Latvia should continue its presence in Latvia, as well as he express his disappointment in the Society Integration Foundation saying “it turned out that the Foundation can offer only fostering of culture and nothing else”. Latvian embassy to Sweden in co-operation with EC Delegation to Sweden will organise seminar “Integration of National Minorities in Latvia as Essential Aspect of Latvia’s Integration into the European Union” in Stockholm on 6 December.

Latvian embassy to Sweden in co-operation with EC Delegation to Sweden will organise seminar Integration of National Minorities in Latvia as Essential Aspect of Latvias Integration into the European Union in Stockholm on 6 December. Neatkariga

Vesti Segodnja

when informing about the visit of Director-General of European Commissions Enlargement Directorate Eneko Landaburu writes that Landaburu is concerned about national minority issues. The number of naturalised people is non-sufficient. Integration should be speeded up. But this is the job of the OSCE. when informing about the visit of Director-General of European Commission’s Enlargement Directorate Eneko Landaburu writes that Landaburu is “concerned about national minority issues. The number of naturalised people is non-sufficient. Integration should be speeded up. But this is the job of the OSCE”. Yesterday Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee chairperson Dz. Abikis voiced heavy criticism towards left-wingers for agitating the Russians against education in the Latvian language. Evija Papule, Head of General Education Integration Department of the Ministry of Education and Science reported to the Saeima about the development of the transfer to bilingual education.

Yesterday Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee chairperson Dz. Abikis voiced heavy criticism towards left-wingers for agitating the Russians against education in the Latvian language. Evija Papule, Head of General Education Integration Department of the Ministry of Education and Science reported to the Saeima about the development of the transfer to bilingual education. Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Vesti Segodnja

writes about the Society Integration Foundation. The newspaper ironically notes that non-citizens (their issues) provide jobs to the Latvians. The number of civil servants who deal with integration grows every day. And they are paid rather well. In their turn, FHRUL members M.Mitrafanovs and B.Cilevics reminded to the Foundation and Parliament that representatives of national minorities are not invited to take part at Foundations work. writes about the Society Integration Foundation. The newspaper ironically notes that “non-citizens (their issues) provide jobs to the Latvians. The number of civil servants who deal with integration grows every day. And they are paid rather well”. In their turn, FHRUL members M.Mitrafanovs and B.Cilevics reminded to the Foundation and Parliament that representatives of national minorities are not invited to take part at Foundation’s work. Yesterday President V.Vike-Freiberga met with Prime Minister Andris Berzins to discuss the need to protect the Latvian language. The officials announced that they both support the protection of the Latvian language and thinks that it should be the only state language, however, Latvian should be protected in such a way that it does not contradict to international norms and rights.

Yesterday President V.Vike-Freiberga met with Prime Minister Andris Berzins to discuss the need to protect the Latvian language. The officials announced that they both support the protection of the Latvian language and thinks that it should be the only state language, however, Latvian should be protected in such a way that it does not contradict to international norms and rights. Chas, Telegraf