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.

• Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Rohards Kols: Latvia has opened its door for colonisation
• Vesti Segodnya interviews journalist, initiator of a movement of European Russians Igors Vatolins

The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Rohards Kols (All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) stated that Latvia has opened its door for colonisation by granting residence permits to foreign investors. In particular, according to Mr Kols, Latvia is being sold out to Russia and Russian investors who received residence permit here demand for respect and honour and for talking to them in Russian language. Mr Kols also stated that it is a myth that residence permits are granted to wealthy and intelligent Russian citizens. Mr Kols is convinced that there is a very high probability, that Latvia has opened its doors for criminals. Therefore, Mr Kols proposed to amend the Immigration Law adopting more severe criteria for granting residence permits. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews journalist, initiator of a movement of European Russians Igors Vatolins. According to Mr Vatolins, the movement cannot be ethnic Russian, or ethnic Latvian, or Jewish but it should be movement of Latvian residents. He believes that a serious conversation can happen not between ethnic Russians or ethnic Latvians, but between Latvians of Russian, Latvian and Jewish origin about challenges faced by the state and not by the ethnic communities. Mr Vatolins believes that idea of united state is not proposed by any of the political parties and it should mature within the depths of the civil society.