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.

• Leader of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs does not support increase of ethnic tensions in Latvia
• Ex-MP Juris Sokolovskis: the level of ethnic tensions will not increase substantially
• Head of the Naturalisation Board Igors Gorbunovs: the main barrier for naturalisation is Latvian language proficiency

In an interview with

In an interview with Diena, leader of the Concord Centre (CC), the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs states that the CC is against any manifestations which increase ethnic tensions in the country. Mr Usakovs only partly agrees with the assumption that the CC was not included in the governing coalition because of ethnic reasons. According to Mr Usakovs, it is true that the majority of Russian speaking citizens voted for the CC, but the third part of its voters are also ethnic Latvians and their interests got ignored too. Mr Usakovs does not support a campaign initiated by the Russian language mass media yesterday under slogan No to ethnic discrimination.

Ex-MP Juris Sokolovskis believes that the level of ethnic tensions after non inclusion of the CC in the coalition will not increase substantially. Mr Sokolovskis considers that Russian speakers are split, and, while a part of them will manifest their displeasure with the situation in some way, the other part will become more apathetic. Mr Sokolovskis also believes the present situation also will promote the collection of the required amount of signatures in support of Russian as state official language in order to initiate the national referendum.

Ex-MP Juris Sokolovskis believes that the level of ethnic tensions after non inclusion of the CC in the coalition will not increase substantially. Mr Sokolovskis considers that Russian speakers are split, and, while a part of them will manifest their displeasure with the situation in some way, the other part will become more apathetic. Mr Sokolovskis also believes the present situation also will promote the collection of the required amount of signatures in support of Russian as state official language in order to initiate the national referendum. Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Naturalisation Board Igors Gorbunovs. According to Mr Gorbunovs the main barrier for naturalisation of non-citizens is Latvian language proficiency. Only 58% of the applicants pass the Latvian language test with the first attempt. The majority of non-citizens are elder people – 24% of non-citizens are 51-60 years old, 22% are 61-70, and 25% are over 70.