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

Latvian Ministry of Well-being published a report on the social situation in Latvia. It is characterised by very rapid reforms leading to more explicit stratification of the society. The analysis showed that many families do not want to increase the number of children to avoid risk to worsen their material situation and become poor.

Latvian Ministry of Well-being published a report on the social situation in Latvia. It is characterised by very rapid reforms leading to more explicit stratification of the society. The analysis showed that many families do not want to increase the number of children to avoid risk to worsen their material situation and become poor. Neatkariga

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga doubts that she could receive an invitation to visit Russia in the nearest future. She thinks that Russia is not ready to normalise relations with Latvia due to the approaching presidential election.

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga doubts that she could receive an invitation to visit Russia in the nearest future. She thinks that Russia is not ready to normalise relations with Latvia due to the approaching presidential election. Neatkariga

Peoples Party and

Peoples Party and Latvijas Cels call the voters who support the softened amendments to the pension law not to take part in the referendum on this law let the compromise amendments prepared by the coalition could take effect. PP faction leader G.Berzins told a journalist that the ruling factions had reached the maximum compromise on the pension law not to destroy the pension system. Latvian President has decided to start consultations with the parties, represented in the Saeima, on the internal political situation in the state, including the abolishment of the amendments to the pension law. Neatkariga

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with the ambassadors of EU countries accredited in Latvia to discuss the EU decision to invite Latvia to negotiations on joining EU. During the meeting the Minister expressed his joy about this decision and the conclusion, made in the report, that Latvia had fulfilled all OSCE recommendations on citizenship.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with the ambassadors of EU countries accredited in Latvia to discuss the EU decision to invite Latvia to negotiations on joining EU. During the meeting the Minister expressed his joy about this decision and the conclusion, made in the report, that Latvia had fulfilled all OSCE recommendations on citizenship. Neatkariga

The Director of the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence J.Sarts has been appointed to the post of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence as the Acting State Secretary. Along with the new tasks, he will continue to fulfil his previous duties.

The Director of the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence J.Sarts has been appointed to the post of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence as the Acting State Secretary. Along with the new tasks, he will continue to fulfil his previous duties. Neatkariga

Russian speaking newspaper Chas published an article under the title “40 minutes to “a cause to start a war””. It tells about the arrest of a Russian citizen Ye.Savenko, former KGB officer accused of repression of Latvian people during Soviet times, executed by Latvian authorities. Russian side was informed about this step only forty minutes before the internationally accepted time limit for informing the other party expired. The article states that according to the international norms this could be considered as

Russian speaking newspaper Chas published an article under the title 40 minutes to a cause to start a war. It tells about the arrest of a Russian citizen Ye.Savenko, former KGB officer accused of repression of Latvian people during Soviet times, executed by Latvian authorities. Russian side was informed about this step only forty minutes before the internationally accepted time limit for informing the other party expired. The article states that according to the international norms this could be considered as casus belli. Chas

Panorama Latvii writes about the joined project of the Naturalisation Board and

Panorama Latvii writes about the joined project of the Naturalisation Board and Panorama Latvii to publish sample texts of the naturalisation exam in the Latvian language, let the future applicants could check their knowledge. The newspaper publishes the first example text and an interview with the Deputy Head of the Naturalisation Board J.Kahanovics. On the same pages there are given the address list of all regional offices and answers to some questions how a non-citizen could acquire Latvian citizenship.