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.

• Representative of the Russian Presidents Administration speaks on Russias stance on Latvia
• Latvian scientists and officials compare the situation of minorities in Latvia and in France
• Article on education reform in professional schools

Yesterday the head of the presidential department for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries of the Russian Federation Modest Kolerov has participated in the discussion organized by the NGO Baltic Forum and has met with representatives of Russians in Latvia. Modest Kolerov has stated that the observation of human rights in Latvia is the priority issue for Russia regarding the Russian-Latvian relations. Modest Kolerov has pointed to the large number of non-citizens and has stated that integration of the national minorities should not be promoted through assimilation. He has also emphasized that occupation in Latvia is rather a political than a historical issue and Russia is not going to apologize to Latvia for Soviet occupation.

Yesterday the head of the presidential department for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries of the Russian Federation Modest Kolerov has participated in the discussion organized by the NGO Baltic Forum and has met with representatives of Russians in Latvia. Modest Kolerov has stated that the observation of human rights in Latvia is the priority issue for Russia regarding the Russian-Latvian relations. Modest Kolerov has pointed to the large number of non-citizens and has stated that integration of the national minorities should not be promoted through assimilation. He has also emphasized that occupation in Latvia is rather a political than a historical issue and Russia is not going to apologize to Latvia for Soviet occupation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Diena asks several experts on the differences between the status of minorities in Latvia and France. The researcher of integration issues Nils Muiznieks believes that like in France, there are no social and economical differences between minorities in Latvia; there are also no problematic relations between religious groups. The historian Aivars Stranga thinks that Latvian society is more open and diverse than in France. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks says that Latvia has paid more attention to promotion of integration at practical and academic levels as compared to other EU states; also, there are no large differences between Latvian and minority cultures in Latvia. According to the political scientist Zanete Ozolina, the Latvian immigrants community is not closed as it is in France. The director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs Atis Lejins believes that France could learn from Latvia promoting immigrants integration through training of Latvian history, culture and language.

Yesterday the Saeima Integration Subcommittee has discussed the switch to the Latvian language of instruction in professional schools. The official from the Ministry of Education and Science has positively evaluated the language reform, since traditionally the teaching staff has been able to teach the subjects in both languages.

Yesterday the Saeima Integration Subcommittee has discussed the switch to the Latvian language of instruction in professional schools. The official from the Ministry of Education and Science has positively evaluated the language reform, since traditionally the teaching staff has been able to teach the subjects in both languages. Vesti Segodnya