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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

The European Commission welcomes the steps taken by Latvia during the past years to improve the situation of its Russian speaker minority, European Commission spokesman said. Jean-Christophe Filori said in a statement the European Commission believes Latvia's legislation generally meets international standards for protection of minorities and the use of Russian language in education, culture, media and other spheres is ensured in compliance with these standards. Latvia's progress is acknowledged also by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that last year decided to close the mission in Latvia.

The European Commission welcomes the steps taken by Latvia during the past years to improve the situation of its Russian speaker minority, European Commission spokesman said. Jean-Christophe Filori said in a statement the European Commission believes Latvia's legislation generally meets international standards for protection of minorities and the use of Russian language in education, culture, media and other spheres is ensured in compliance with these standards. Latvia's progress is acknowledged also by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that last year decided to close the mission in Latvia. BNS

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins is "more than sure" that most of Latvia's population will support Latvia's accession to the European Union in a referendum. The PM told reporters on Friday that discussion between EU supporters and opposition is normal, but that all state ministries and the government must explain EU regulations and the introduction of these in Latvia top the population before the referendum takes place.

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins is "more than sure" that most of Latvia's population will support Latvia's accession to the European Union in a referendum. The PM told reporters on Friday that discussion between EU supporters and opposition is normal, but that all state ministries and the government must explain EU regulations and the introduction of these in Latvia top the population before the referendum takes place. BNS

Chairman of Russian Duma Foreign Affairs Committee D.Ragozin announced in Russian publication Strana.ru that Lithuania as the presiding country of the Council of Ministers of Council of Europe should point out at the explicit human rights violations in Latvia and Estonia.

Chairman of Russian Duma Foreign Affairs Committee D.Ragozin announced in Russian publication Strana.ru that Lithuania as the presiding country of the Council of Ministers of Council of Europe should point out at the explicit human rights violations in Latvia and Estonia. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins is in Great Britain through January 23, where he will take part in the "Wilton Park" conference that will focus on NATO enlargement issues, LETA was informed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry Press Center.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins is in Great Britain through January 23, where he will take part in the "Wilton Park" conference that will focus on NATO enlargement issues, LETA was informed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry Press Center. LETA, Neatkariga

Newspaper

Newspaper Subota interviewed Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov. Characterising the previous year in terms of Russian – Latvian relations, the Ambassador said that it had been rather successful: several meetings on the highest level - Presidents, ministers of Foreign Affairs, other ministers, successful was also co-operation among municipalities – Moscow, St.Petersburg, Daugavpils, Liepaja. Mr.Studennikov would like these relations to be better but there are several conditions influencing them, e.g. – in 2000 Russia adopted a new foreign policy concept. Concerning the Baltic States it is stated there the Russia stands for turning mutual relations into good neighbouring relations and co-operation but precondition for this is that these states have to respect Russias interests, including interests of Russian-speaking population residing in the Baltic States. Speaking about Russias reaction to the planned transfer of Russian schools to tuition in the Latvian language the Ambassador said Russia had repeatedly stated that Latvia should take into consideration international experience and if Latvia had ratified the Framework Convention it would have to observe also Article 14.

Newspaper

Newspaper Vesti Segodnya informs about a new Latvian nationalists Internet portal Latvians.lv. It offers links to many sites of nationalistic content, including the home page of the notorious publicist A.Garda.