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.

• Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration will continue to foster ethnic integration and development of civil society
• Vladimirs Buzajevs: the speed of naturalisation has slowdown
• Minister of Education Baiba Rivza: it is too early to speak about the results of the minority education reform
• Minister of Education agrees with some complaints of LASHOR

Yesterday, the new Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone stated that the Integration Secretariat will continue to foster ethnic integration and development of civil society. The Minister announced that the Integration Secretariat will form a group of experts which will include representatives of ethnic minorities. Karina Petersone also stated that the huge number of non-citizens in Latvia is inappropriate, however, naturalisation should not be speeded up: “it is important that a person wants to become naturalized and is ready for that.”

Yesterday, the new Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone stated that the Integration Secretariat will continue to foster ethnic integration and development of civil society. The Minister announced that the Integration Secretariat will form a group of experts which will include representatives of ethnic minorities. Karina Petersone also stated that the huge number of non-citizens in Latvia is inappropriate, however, naturalisation should not be speeded up: it is important that a person wants to become naturalized and is ready for that. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

According to the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) the speed of naturalisation during first three months in 2006 comparing to the respective period in 2004, 2005 and 1999 has slowdown. However, the number of persons who are not able to pass the naturalisation exams the first time has increased. He believes that this number will continue growing connecting the number with the number of non-citizens who have university degree which is also decreasing. Buzajevs notes that the number of citizens among Latvians in 1999 was 77.5% and in January 2006 - 73.5 %: “this means that naturalisation barely keeps pace in decrease of Russian electors.”

According to the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) the speed of naturalisation during first three months in 2006 comparing to the respective period in 2004, 2005 and 1999 has slowdown. However, the number of persons who are not able to pass the naturalisation exams the first time has increased. He believes that this number will continue growing connecting the number with the number of non-citizens who have university degree which is also decreasing. Buzajevs notes that the number of citizens among Latvians in 1999 was 77.5% and in January 2006 - 73.5 %: this means that naturalisation barely keeps pace in decrease of Russian electors. Chas

The new Minister of Education Baiba Rivza in an interview with the private TV channel

The new Minister of Education Baiba Rivza in an interview with the private TV channel LNT stated that it is too early to speak about the results of the education reform at minority schools: The process started only a year ago and the actual results of the reform will be seen only when students who study in 10th grade today graduate. According to Baiba Rivza, the minority education reform is necessary to prepare students for enrolment and studies at universities. Telegraf

The Minister of Education Baiba Rivza in an interview with

The Minister of Education Baiba Rivza in an interview with Telegraf admitted that some complaints indicated in the memorandum issued by the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR in its Russian acronym) are grounded. Baiba Rivza promised to foster a dialogue with NGOs and to continue discussions with experts on minority education. As reported, the LASHOR issued the memorandum stating that the government has stopped the dialogue with NGOs on minority education issues.