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

It is planned that the governmental fractions will sign the declaration of the new Cabinet today. According to Mr. Krasts, the new declaration formulates many tasks that the previous government did not plan to do. Still, there are some issues that this government will not take over from the previous Cabinet, for example, the elimination of the

It is planned that the governmental fractions will sign the declaration of the new Cabinet today. According to Mr. Krasts, the new declaration formulates many tasks that the previous government did not plan to do. Still, there are some issues that this government will not take over from the previous Cabinet, for example, the elimination of the propiska system. The full text of the declaration will be available to the press today. Diena

During its last meeting the Skele Cabinet accepted 18 legal acts. Among them were amendments to the Law on Foreign Citizens’ and Stateless Persons’ Entry and Residence in Latvia. According to the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons who, according to the Latvian Law on Refugees, had received the refugee status, receive the permanent residence permit.

During its last meeting the Skele Cabinet accepted 18 legal acts. Among them were amendments to the Law on Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons Entry and Residence in Latvia. According to the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons who, according to the Latvian Law on Refugees, had received the refugee status, receive the permanent residence permit. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

All ministries, except the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have submitted proposals to the European Integration Bureau on how to speed up and improve the work on Latvia’s integration into the EU. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to submit proposals today. The Bureau should summarize all suggestions, so that on August 12 the government could review and approve the memorandum to the European Commission and the EU countries.

All ministries, except the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have submitted proposals to the European Integration Bureau on how to speed up and improve the work on Latvias integration into the EU. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to submit proposals today. The Bureau should summarize all suggestions, so that on August 12 the government could review and approve the memorandum to the European Commission and the EU countries. Neatkariga

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the next round of border talks between Latvia and Russia will take place today and tomorrow in Riga. It is planned to focus on the technical aspects of the border issue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the next round of border talks between Latvia and Russia will take place today and tomorrow in Riga. It is planned to focus on the technical aspects of the border issue. PL

Upon request of the Minister of Justice Mr. Rasnacs, the Director of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane has prepared responses to the questions about the naturalization process in Latvia by the European Commission. According to the Naturalization Board, all reprimands by the European Commission regarding the status of non-citizens are unsubstantiated. According to the governmental regulations on the non-citizen passports, holders of these passports are guaranteed the legal protection abroad by the Latvian government. Only when Latvia ratifies the European Convention on Citizenship, it will be necessary to amend these legal acts. Ms. Aldermane noted that the situation with the children who were born in Latvia, but were not its citizens, was much more serious, since it contradicts the Convention on Children Rights that Latvia had already ratified.

Upon request of the Minister of Justice Mr. Rasnacs, the Director of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane has prepared responses to the questions about the naturalization process in Latvia by the European Commission. According to the Naturalization Board, all reprimands by the European Commission regarding the status of non-citizens are unsubstantiated. According to the governmental regulations on the non-citizen passports, holders of these passports are guaranteed the legal protection abroad by the Latvian government. Only when Latvia ratifies the European Convention on Citizenship, it will be necessary to amend these legal acts. Ms. Aldermane noted that the situation with the children who were born in Latvia, but were not its citizens, was much more serious, since it contradicts the Convention on Children Rights that Latvia had already ratified. Diena

In an article on the language examinations Iveta Pelse, Chair of the Examination Commission at the Naturalization Board, notes that the main task of the commission is not to check the applicant’s Latvian grammar, but to determine whether a person is able to communicate in Latvian that, in turn, would help him or her integrate into the Latvian society. The commission reports that there were 9 cases on appeal during the whole period of naturalization, four of which were satisfied. An average of 98% of persons who take the language exam, pass it.

In an article on the language examinations Iveta Pelse, Chair of the Examination Commission at the Naturalization Board, notes that the main task of the commission is not to check the applicants Latvian grammar, but to determine whether a person is able to communicate in Latvian that, in turn, would help him or her integrate into the Latvian society. The commission reports that there were 9 cases on appeal during the whole period of naturalization, four of which were satisfied. An average of 98% of persons who take the language exam, pass it. Diena