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.

• Russias Embassy in Latvia received around 4,000 applications for Russian citizenship from Latvian residents in 2009
• Latvijas Avize reports about the first meeting of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Russias Embassy in Latvia received around 4,000 applications for Russian citizenship from Latvian residents in 2009. This is twice more than in 2008. According to the Russian Consul General in Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia), majority of persons applying for Russian citizenship are non-citizens of retirement or pre-retirement age who allegedly make such decisions mainly because pensions in Russia are increasing and because the retirement age in Russia is still 55 years for women and 60 for men while in Latvia the retirement age is 62 for both genders.

Latvijas Avize reports about the first meeting of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities held recently. The Council will mark issues for discussions between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers in order to promote consolidation of society. The Council also discussed financial problems of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies which is facing bankruptcy.