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.

• Nationalists’ union wants toevaluate a co-operation agreement between the “Russian Union in Latvia” and Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity”
• Minister of Education Ina Druviete confirms that the Ministry works on preparation to transfer education in ethnic minority schools mostly into Latvian language

Latvijas Avize reports that the nationalists’ union decided to nominate its member Gaidis Berzins to the post of the Minister of Justice. Gaidis Berzins stated that one of his first tasks at the post will be assigning responsible authorities to evaluate a co-operation agreement concluded between the political party “Russian Union in Latvia” and Crimean social-political movement “Russian Unity.” According to the newspaper, such actions help Russia to legitimize occupation of Crimea. However, the Minister of Foreign Edgars Rinkevics does not agree that state institutions should react on such action. Mr Rinkevics says that the “Russian Union in Latvia” does not represent official position of Latvia regarding Crimea, but actions against it will give a platform to yell about suppression of Russian speakers in Latvia. Mr Rinkevics believes that Latvia’s partners in the EU, NATO and Ukraine know that Latvia stands for Ukrainian territorial integrity and does not recognize annexation of Crimea. 

In an interview with Latvijas Avize, the Minister of Education Ina Druviete confirms that since January the Ministry works on preparation to transfer education in ethnic minority schools mostly into Latvian language staring with 2018. According to the Minister, preparatory work goes in three directions: further education of teachers, including, improving teachers’ Latvian language proficiency; planning how to improve curriculum; explaining parents how will the reform happen and convincing that education in state language will benefit intellectual development of children and give them wide range of possibilities to integrate in the Latvian society. The Minister also notes that the task is also to ensure equality good proficiency in state language and in native language because it is not policy of assimilation.