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

 So far no European Commission reports about Latvia have indicated the country's current election law could be an obstacle for accession of Latvia to the European Union but European Commission nevertheless hails amendments proposed to the legislation by Latvian president and supported by a number of officials. The opinion was expressed by European Commission delegation head in Latvia Andrew Rasbash in an interview to Lauku Avize rural newspaper published on Saturday. "So far nothing has been said in any of the annual European Commission reports about Latvia that the election law could be an obstacle on Latvia's path to the EU. The election law has not been cited either as condition or as criteria. For something like this to happen the EU should change its position but I have no grounds to think such a change is possible," said Rasbash. He voiced satisfaction over the good results showed by Latvia in talks with the EU as Latvia has closed 23 out of 29 chapters of the membership talks that have been opened for negotiations. But he said "after the talks are completed there will still be the ratification process".

So far no European Commission reports about Latvia have indicated the country's current election law could be an obstacle for accession of Latvia to the European Union but European Commission nevertheless hails amendments proposed to the legislation by Latvian president and supported by a number of officials. The opinion was expressed by European Commission delegation head in Latvia Andrew Rasbash in an interview to Lauku Avize rural newspaper published on Saturday. "So far nothing has been said in any of the annual European Commission reports about Latvia that the election law could be an obstacle on Latvia's path to the EU. The election law has not been cited either as condition or as criteria. For something like this to happen the EU should change its position but I have no grounds to think such a change is possible," said Rasbash. He voiced satisfaction over the good results showed by Latvia in talks with the EU as Latvia has closed 23 out of 29 chapters of the membership talks that have been opened for negotiations. But he said "after the talks are completed there will still be the ratification process". BNS

Ruling coalition parties have expressed a possibility that strengthening of the status of the state language could be done by amending the Satversme. They came to this position after the second meeting of coalition party chairmen and faction leaders. So far there have been made only some proposals and no concrete decision has been taken.

Ruling coalition parties have expressed a possibility that strengthening of the status of the state language could be done by amending the Satversme. They came to this position after the second meeting of coalition party chairmen and faction leaders. So far there have been made only some proposals and no concrete decision has been taken. Diena

After the scandal with Naturalization Board officials, the head of the Board E.Aldermane thinks that Latvian citizenship should be annulled not only in the cases when an applicant provided false information but also when it was received illegally. Then it would be possible to annul citizenship for those who have received it with the help of the six detained persons. At the same time E.Aldermane admitted that before election politicians would not be ready to open the citizenship law foe amending. Meanwhile the Naturalization Board addressed the Ministry of Justice with a request to stop approving the last list of persons to be naturalized until a special commission would test if the applicants have passed the tests legally.

After the scandal with Naturalization Board officials, the head of the Board E.Aldermane thinks that Latvian citizenship should be annulled not only in the cases when an applicant provided false information but also when it was received illegally. Then it would be possible to annul citizenship for those who have received it with the help of the six detained persons. At the same time E.Aldermane admitted that before election politicians would not be ready to open the citizenship law foe amending. Meanwhile the Naturalization Board addressed the Ministry of Justice with a request to stop approving the last list of persons to be naturalized until a special commission would test if the applicants have passed the tests legally. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Latvia's Social Democratic Welfare Party Feb. 11 will begin a signatures collecting campaign to propose the parliament consider a draft law envisaging to hold referendum on accession to the European Union and NATO on the day when the next general elections are held, party chairman Jurijs Zuravlovs told reporters.

Latvia's Social Democratic Welfare Party Feb. 11 will begin a signatures collecting campaign to propose the parliament consider a draft law envisaging to hold referendum on accession to the European Union and NATO on the day when the next general elections are held, party chairman Jurijs Zuravlovs told reporters. BNS

Journal

Journal Karyera organized a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov. Answering to the questions of the present 500 people the Ambassador said that Russia was a new, different country now and had become predictable. The Ambassador characterized Latvian – Russian relations low intensity ones. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Saeima Commission on citizenship Law Implementation held an extraordinary meeting to which were invited the Minister of Justice I.Labucka and Head of the Naturalization Board E.Aldermane. Commission members accused Ms.Aldermane that he had always showed the work of the Board in positive light. FF/LNNK members stated that E.Aldermane had always been too loyal to non-citizens. Deputy Director of the Satversme Security Office U.Dzenitis pointed out Latvian citizenship, received in this illegal way, permits its holders to travel to many European states. It means that Latvia could become an attractive transit state for terrorists.

Yesterday the Saeima Commission on citizenship Law Implementation held an extraordinary meeting to which were invited the Minister of Justice I.Labucka and Head of the Naturalization Board E.Aldermane. Commission members accused Ms.Aldermane that he had always showed the work of the Board in positive light. FF/LNNK members stated that E.Aldermane had always been too loyal to non-citizens. Deputy Director of the Satversme Security Office U.Dzenitis pointed out Latvian citizenship, received in this illegal way, permits its holders to travel to many European states. It means that Latvia could become an attractive transit state for terrorists. Vechernyaya Riga