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.

• Ministry of Culture held a discussion on integration of third country nationals

Vesti Segodnya reports about a discussion on integration of third country nationals held by the Ministry of Culture at a Georgian restaurant Tamada. The Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte, the Ombudsman Juris Jansons and other state officials took part in the discussion. The Minister Elerte considers that Latvian non-citizens (those former USSR citizens residing in Latvia before the restoration of independence and their descendants who currently do not have any citizenship) are immigrants with the status of privileged foreigners. The Minister believes that special attention should be paid to proficiency of Latvian language by immigrants and protection of ethnic Latvian national identity.