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.

• Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens on elaboration of a new national integration program
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins does not support a proposal to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 August
• Radical political organisations are planning to hold Russian March on 8 September in the centre of Riga
• Company Rigas Satiksme is planning to attract guest workers

Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens on elaboration of a new national integration program. According to the Minister, new program has two priorities: strengthening of democracy and civil society and formation of inclusive society. Draft concept of the program includes issues concerning migration of labour force; maintenance of ties with Latvian residents who have emigrated to United Kingdom and Ireland in search for a job; support of ethnic minorities; and other issues. Public debates on the draft concept will be launched in September, while the Cabinet of Ministers will review it in the beginning of 2008.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins does not support a proposal to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 August. As reported, the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 August - the day when the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship to first 103 persons who have gone through naturalisation procedure in 1995. However, Gaidis Berzins believes that this day has symbolic meaning not for all Latvian citizens but only for naturalised citizens, therefore, it might split the society even more.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins does not support a proposal to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 August. As reported, the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 August - the day when the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship to first 103 persons who have gone through naturalisation procedure in 1995. However, Gaidis Berzins believes that this day has symbolic meaning not for all Latvian citizens but only for naturalised citizens, therefore, it might split the society even more. Chas, Telegraf, Diena

Radical political organisations Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and Russian national union “Motherland” are planning to hold “Russian March” on 8 September in the centre of Riga. According to the leader of the LNDP Jevgenijs Osipovs, aim of the action is to raise self- consciousness of Russian residents of Latvia. Main slogans of the action are: “Citizenship and Voting Rights to All”, “Russian Education for Russians”, “This is Our Country ”, “Official Status for Russian Language” and other.

Radical political organisations Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and Russian national union Motherland are planning to hold Russian March on 8 September in the centre of Riga. According to the leader of the LNDP Jevgenijs Osipovs, aim of the action is to raise self- consciousness of Russian residents of Latvia. Main slogans of the action are: Citizenship and Voting Rights to All, Russian Education for Russians, This is Our Country , Official Status for Russian Language and other. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report that a public transportation company Rigas Satiksme decided to attract foreign labour force due to the lack of workers from Latvia.