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

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic, Baltic states and Russia after their meeting in Saint Petersburg paid special attention to the co-operation between EU and Russian. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs used this occasion to meet Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Lind to discuss the expansion of EU and to learn about the Swedish position on this issue.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic, Baltic states and Russia after their meeting in Saint Petersburg paid special attention to the co-operation between EU and Russian. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs used this occasion to meet Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Lind to discuss the expansion of EU and to learn about the Swedish position on this issue. Neatkariga

During this meeting V.Birkavs stated that the first thing for Russia to do to improve its economic co-operation with the neighbouring countries should be abolishing the artificially imposed sanctions.

During this meeting V.Birkavs stated that the first thing for Russia to do to improve its economic co-operation with the neighbouring countries should be abolishing the artificially imposed sanctions. Diena

I.Ivanov stated that Russian position on the Baltic states joining NATO had not changed, and Europe had to look for a new security model for the next century.

I.Ivanov stated that Russian position on the Baltic states joining NATO had not changed, and Europe had to look for a new security model for the next century. Diena

V.Birkavs informed the press about the final agreement for the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to come to Riga this June.

V.Birkavs informed the press about the final agreement for the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to come to Riga this June. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

I.Ivanov proposed to organise a joined meeting of the leaders Barenc See and Baltic See regions the discuss strategic co-operation issues.

I.Ivanov proposed to organise a joined meeting of the leaders Barenc See and Baltic See regions the discuss strategic co-operation issues. Jauna Avize

The Chairman of the

The Chairman of the New Party R.Pauls, who so far had refused categorically a possibility to run for the Presidency seems to have changed his position because. Answering to a question about himself as a possible president during a TV broadcast, he did not give a straight forward answer but promised to do it within the next week. Neatkariga

Deputy Chairman of the Saeima TB/LNNK faction J.Dobelis announced at a press conference that during the time when there were so many urgent matters to solve, it would be unwise to overthrow the government. He told about some people coming to the TB/LNNK offices and trying to persuade them about a need to form a new government.

Deputy Chairman of the Saeima TB/LNNK faction J.Dobelis announced at a press conference that during the time when there were so many urgent matters to solve, it would be unwise to overthrow the government. He told about some people coming to the TB/LNNK offices and trying to persuade them about a need to form a new government. Neatkariga

Dr. pol.scien. A.Pabriks in his article in

Dr. pol.scien. A.Pabriks in his article in Diena asks how long we can stand a government which exists just for itself and some rich entrepreneurs. He states that from the very restoration of Latvian independence the political elite had a wish to make all decisions in a very small circle. In 1991 there was a chance to find a solution satisfying both Latvians and Russians, but it did not satisfy the ruling elite therefore we had to wait for three years for the Law on Citizenship. Now its is up to the people to make the government to remember them. Diena

Before the election to the Saeima

Before the election to the Saeima Latvijas Cels concluded co-operation agreements with regional parties in Daugavpils and Venspils. The leaders of Venspils party is A.Lembergs. And Diena journalist I.Egle investigates what were the reasons for Latvijas Cels to conclude such agreements and what is their influence of Latvijas Cels. Diena

Only two parties -

Only two parties - Latvijas Cels and Farmers Union have a rise in their popularity rating in April. This opinion poll was conducted by Latvijas Fakti. Jauna Avize

Russian version of

Diena published a large material on the Russian speaking newspapers in Latvia. If the Latvian newspapers try to persuade their readers to start thinking about the state related issues, then their Russian speaking colleagues tell their readers that they are just second class people. Diena

Bizness & Baltiya

writes about the issuing of the new Latvian citizen passports, and the two options - to print new ones or to improve the old ones by using a laser printer.