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

Saeima’s interfaction working group yesterday agreed on new amendments to the Pension Law to be submitted to the Saeima on September 30. The new amendments provide for a slower increase in pension age and the rights for all working pensioners to get pensions up to 60 lats.

Saeimas interfaction working group yesterday agreed on new amendments to the Pension Law to be submitted to the Saeima on September 30. The new amendments provide for a slower increase in pension age and the rights for all working pensioners to get pensions up to 60 lats. Neatkariga, Diena, Lauku Avize

In response to the results of the study released by Eurostat about the low living level in Latvia Latvian politicians and experts say that there are many poor people in Latvia, especially in Latgale but on the other hand - Latvia is a dynamically developing country and it was not correct to use data of 1996. Foreign Ministry has expressed incomprehension with the practise of using old statistics as Latvia regularly delivers the latest statistics to the EU.

In response to the results of the study released by Eurostat about the low living level in Latvia Latvian politicians and experts say that there are many poor people in Latvia, especially in Latgale but on the other hand - Latvia is a dynamically developing country and it was not correct to use data of 1996. Foreign Ministry has expressed incomprehension with the practise of using old statistics as Latvia regularly delivers the latest statistics to the EU. Neatkariga

The report

The report Russia and the Baltics developed by Russias Foreign and Defence Policy Council and presented by a member of the council Igor Yurgen yesterday in Riga does not forecast a considerable improvement of the relations between Russia and Latvia while there is a possibility for active cooperation in economics. Yurgen commented that Russian diplomacy would be satisfied to see neutral Baltic countries integrated in the EU but a soon NATO integration would be considered by Russia as a growing threat of war. Diena, Neatkariga

Vesti Segodna runs an inteview with Igor Yurgen.

Vesti Segodna runs an inteview with Igor Yurgen.

Vesti Segodna

comments on the discussion supported by the Latvian Foreign Ministry concerning the usefulness of having the commissioner of CBSS for ethnic minorities. Also, the newspaper has asked the opinions of several MPs on this issue. Antons Seiksts from Latvias Way thinks that the initiatives started by Mr. Ole Espersen often duplicate those raised by the OSCE High Commissioner and that the OSCE mandate is more clear. comments on the discussion supported by the Latvian Foreign Ministry concerning the usefulness of having the commissioner of CBSS for ethnic minorities. Also, the newspaper has asked the opinions of several MPs on this issue. Antons Seiksts from Latvia’s Way thinks that the initiatives started by Mr. Ole Espersen often duplicate those raised by the OSCE High Commissioner and that the OSCE mandate is more clear. Participants of the seminar on developing the model of cultural autonomy of ethnic minorities in Latvia think that respective regulations on ethnic autonomy should be drafted as this is the only way how to prove other nations living in Latvia that the goal of society integration is not assimilation. Diena

Participants of the seminar on developing the model of cultural autonomy of ethnic minorities in Latvia think that respective regulations on ethnic autonomy should be drafted as this is the only way how to prove other nations living in Latvia that the goal of society integration is not assimilation. Diena

Diena

runs an article on the current results of bi-lingual instruction started in non-Latvian schools. Director of the Latvian Language Training State Program Aija Priedite thinks that the shift to the above system will be slow, gradual and difficult as teachers are not prepared and there is a lack of teaching aids. runs an article on the current results of bi-lingual instruction started in non-Latvian schools. Director of the Latvian Language Training State Program Aija Priedite thinks that the shift to the above system will be slow, gradual and difficult as teachers are not prepared and there is a lack of teaching aids.