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.

• Rector of the Riga Stradins University Janis Vetra: minority students have difficulties to study in Latvian
• Russian President agrees to annul the Molotov-Ribentrop pact
• Saeima refuses to adopt a resolution condemning the statements of the Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation of minorities in Latvia
• Diena writes about the claim of Tatjana Zdanoka to the Petition Committee of the European Parliament regarding the decision of the Latvian government to refuse Latvian citizenship to Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Liepaja Symphony Orchestra will introduce non-Latvian youth with Latvian classical music

Janis Vetra, the rector of the Riga Stradins University stated that due to the low level of Latvian language proficiency minority students have difficulties to study in Latvian at university. The Russian-language newspaper

Janis Vetra, the rector of the Riga Stradins University stated that due to the low level of Latvian language proficiency minority students have difficulties to study in Latvian at university. The Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya argues that the situation is the consequences of the minority education reform. The newspaper writes that minority school teachers have given unreasonably high grades for pupils Latvian language skills. Vesti Segodnya disagrees with the proposal of the rector to include minority students in study groups of international students so they would acquire Latvian. The newspaper believes that parents should file a petition against the implementers of the reformers, because they have not managed to ensure a qualitative system of Latvian language learning for minority students. Vesti Segodnya

After the meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the President of Estonia Arnold Ruutel announced that the Russian President agreed to annul the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact.  The Estonian’s President statement, however, contradicts yesterday’s official response of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to the declaration of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In its response the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister noted that ‘there is neither historical nor international legal basis for the statement made by the Latvian President that Soviet Union occupied Latvia in 1940.’ Historians and international affairs experts, interviewed by

After the meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the President of Estonia Arnold Ruutel announced that the Russian President agreed to annul the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact. The Estonians President statement, however, contradicts yesterdays official response of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to the declaration of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In its response the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister noted that ‘there is neither historical nor international legal basis for the statement made by the Latvian President that Soviet Union occupied Latvia in 1940. Historians and international affairs experts, interviewed by Diena, note that it is not possible annul events, which took place in the past. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday Saeima refused a resolution developed by the party New Era. The resolution condemned the statements of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that the number of Russian-speakers who work at Latvian state authorities should be proportional to their total number in the country. The resolution stated that the Putin’s statements are an intervention in Latvia’s domestic affairs

Yesterday Saeima refused a resolution developed by the party New Era. The resolution condemned the statements of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that the number of Russian-speakers who work at Latvian state authorities should be proportional to their total number in the country. The resolution stated that the Putins statements are an intervention in Latvias domestic affairs Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena criticizes the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) for not providing full information to her supporters in Latvia regarding possible reaction of the Petition Committee of the European Parliament to the case of Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The Commission received the complaint of Tatajana Zdanoka about the refusal of the Latvian government to grant the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis Latvian citizenship. Tatjana Zdanoka claims that the Commission may ‘adopt the set of measures to deal with this discrimination. If Latvian authorities do not respond timely, Latvia risks to lose its voting rights in the EU Council. Diena argues that there are no such precedents and it is a scenario of science fiction movie. Also the Vice-chairman of the Petition Committee Michael Cashman states that Tatyana Zdanoka either does not understand competences of the Committee or tries to gain personal political benefits.

The Liepaja Symphony Orchestra will have four concerts of Latvian music organised specifically for non-Latvian youth to introduce them with Latvian culture.  It is also planned to publish a CD with the most popular Latvian classical music and distribute these CDs to minority schools. Concerts and production of CDs, which is a part of the project ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Musical Culture,’ are financially supported by the Integration Foundation within EU PHARE programme.

The Liepaja Symphony Orchestra will have four concerts of Latvian music organised specifically for non-Latvian youth to introduce them with Latvian culture. It is also planned to publish a CD with the most popular Latvian classical music and distribute these CDs to minority schools. Concerts and production of CDs, which is a part of the project ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Musical Culture, are financially supported by the Integration Foundation within EU PHARE programme. Diena