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.

• Latvias integration issues will be discussed in the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament
• Association of the Slavic Cultures (Monpelie, France) blames Latvia for the implementation of assimilating integration policies
• Union of Belorussian Societies in Latvia: the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified without reservations
• Statistics on foreigners living in Latvia

The advisor of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ilmars Mezs and the advisor of the Minister of Education Andris Geizans will visit Strasbourg this week to discuss the minority education reform and non-citizens issue with representatives of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament.

The advisor of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ilmars Mezs and the advisor of the Minister of Education Andris Geizans will visit Strasbourg this week to discuss the minority education reform and non-citizens issue with representatives of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports on the correspondence between the Association of the Slavic Cultures (Monpelie, France) and the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The organisation calls the Latvian authorities to stop assimilating integration policies and to give the Russian language the status of the second state language. The authors of the letter also express support for opponents of the minority education reform. The association also reveals its plans to organise several international conferences about Russophobia in Latvia. In her response the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga states that there is no reason for concern and argues that associations statements are based on false information. The President stresses that Latvia implements the minority education reform, which is not the elimination of secondary education in the Russian language.

Chas prints an article about the conference ‘Latvia – Belorussia: the Dialogue of the Cultures, organised by the Union of Belorussian Societies in Latvia. The conferences participants from Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Kraslava and other places stressed the significance of the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. They argued that no reservations should be introduced. Belorussians are the second largest minority in Latvia, however, only 30% of them have Latvian citizenship.

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 23,000 out of 34,500 foreigners or persons, who live in Latvia but have citizenship of another country, are Russian citizens. There are also 2,400 Ukrainian citizens, approximately the same number of Lithuanian citizens, 1,600 Belorussian citizens, 600 Estonian citizens and 400 USA citizens.

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 23,000 out of 34,500 foreigners or persons, who live in Latvia but have citizenship of another country, are Russian citizens. There are also 2,400 Ukrainian citizens, approximately the same number of Lithuanian citizens, 1,600 Belorussian citizens, 600 Estonian citizens and 400 USA citizens. Chas