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.

• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga: racism and intolerance are among the biggest threats for the EU future

Chas reports on a conference of the Consultative Council of Russian NGOs on Russian education in Latvia and unification of NGOs

Ainars Slesers: granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would be a big step towards consolidation of society

93 projects ethnic integration projects funded by EU were implemented in 2005 and 2006

Diena features an interview with candidate for the post of the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis

2,452 persons have renounced citizenship of Latvia in the time period from 1999 to 2007

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga at the opening session of the Paris Forum has stated that racism and various forms of intolerance are among the biggest threats to a successful future of the EU. Diena, NRA

Chas reports on a conference of the Consultative Council of Russian NGOs on education in Russian in Latvia and unification of NGOs. Member of the LASHOR (the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools - LASHOR in its Russian acronym) Tatjana Favorska has stated that there is a lack of objective information on the implementation and results of minority education reforms in elementary and secondary schools. Mrs. Favorska also called for consolidation of NGOs to take effective measures to preserve and promote education in Russian. The second part of the conference will be held this week.

Telegraf interviews the leader of the Latvias First Party Ainars Slesers on his proposal to grant voting rights to non-citizens in municipal elections. Ainars Slesers stated that it would be a big step towards consolidation of society. Mr. Slesers believed that consolidation of society requires compromises from both Latvians and Russians.

Latvijas Avize reports that 93 projects aimed at integration of society mainly funded by the EU Phare and administrated by the Society Integration Foundation were implemented in 2005 and 2006.

Diena features an interview with candidate for the post of the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. Among other Mr. Apsitis noted that more effective means of protection of visible minorities should be implemented in Latvia.

According to the Naturalisation Board 2,452 persons have renounced citizenship of Latvia in the time period from 1999 to 2007. The majority of these persons have become citizens of Russia – 1,360; Germany – 413; Belorussia – 209; Ukraine – 72; Israel – 37.

According to the Naturalisation Board 2,452 persons have renounced citizenship of Latvia in the time period from 1999 to 2007. The majority of these persons have become citizens of Russia – 1,360; Germany – 413; Belorussia – 209; Ukraine – 72; Israel – 37. Chas, Vesti Segodnya