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.

• 2440 naturalisation applications received by the Naturalisation Board in November
• Russian President Vladimir Putin asks the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle border issues with the Baltic States
• Janis Urbanovics: Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has no willingness to discuss non-citizens problems in Latvia
• Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• Latvijas Avize reports on the formation of a working group within the European Parliament to defend national minorities, constitutional regions and regional languages
• Naturalisation Board announces the winner of the competition ‘Towards Civil Society
• Article by the head of the Centre for Latvian Studies of Vytautas Magnus University Alvids Butkus about the status of the Russian and Latvian languages in Latvia
• Interview with the recently naturalised Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda

In November the Naturalisation Board received 2440 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship. This is the biggest number of naturalisation applications received by the board within a month since the beginning of naturalisation process.

In November the Naturalisation Board received 2440 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship. This is the biggest number of naturalisation applications received by the board within a month since the beginning of naturalisation process. Diena, Chas

The Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle the border issues with the Baltic States. In the press conference Vladimir Putin also reminded that the leaders of the Baltic State are invited to the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. Heads of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Baltic States announced that the presidents of these states might take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow. They added that they hope that Russia will not use the celebration to express ungrounded reproaches concerning violation of human rights in the Baltic States.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle the border issues with the Baltic States. In the press conference Vladimir Putin also reminded that the leaders of the Baltic State are invited to the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. Heads of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Baltic States announced that the presidents of these states might take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow. They added that they hope that Russia will not use the celebration to express ungrounded reproaches concerning violation of human rights in the Baltic States. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Head of the People’s Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics has expressed regret about unwillingness of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to discuss issues concerning Latvian non-citizens. At the beginning of October the MP sent an open letter to the President, stating that Latvian non-citizens should be granted political rights. Janis Urbanovics received the response from the President where she expresses her thanks for the MP’s opinion.

The Head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics has expressed regret about unwillingness of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to discuss issues concerning Latvian non-citizens. At the beginning of October the MP sent an open letter to the President, stating that Latvian non-citizens should be granted political rights. Janis Urbanovics received the response from the President where she expresses her thanks for the MPs opinion.

Chas features an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij about relations between Russia and Latvia. According to the Ambassador, there are no obstacles from the side of Russia in signing Latvian Russian border agreement and stresses that there is no pressure to sign the agreement during the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. When asked about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia, the Ambassador notes that Russia will continue discussions of these issues in meetings with EU and Latvian officials.

Latvijas Avize reports on the formation of a working group within the European Parliament. The main goal of the group is to defend national minorities, constitutional regions and regional languages. The newspaper forecasts that the group will make a pressure on Latvia and Estonia regarding the rights of Russian speakers.

The Olaine College has been announced the winner of the competition ‘Towards a Civil Society’ in the regions of Riga and Vidzeme. The competition is organised by the Naturalisation Board. Students of the Olaine College developed a project that’s main goal was the promotion of naturalisation in Olaine. Naturalisation is a topical issue in this town: 38% of the Olaine’s population are non-citizens.

The Olaine College has been announced the winner of the competition ‘Towards a Civil Society in the regions of Riga and Vidzeme. The competition is organised by the Naturalisation Board. Students of the Olaine College developed a project thats main goal was the promotion of naturalisation in Olaine. Naturalisation is a topical issue in this town: 38% of the Olaines population are non-citizens. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Latvijas Avize features an article by the head of the Centre for Latvian Studies of the Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas) Alvids Butkus about the status of the Russian and Latvian languages in Latvia. The author believes that the attitude towards the Russian language and its usage has not changed very much since Latvia regained independence, because in many situations the Russian language is self-sufficient and thus gives Russian-speakers a possibility to live in ‘their own closed community.

The

The Dienas supplement Sestdiena features an interview with the recently naturalised Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda. He is the first refugee who acquired Latvian citizenship.