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.

• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs: notion ‘non-citizen is an anomaly in Europe
• EP denied proposals on the Law on the Status of EU Citizens and Permanent Residents
• Ambassadors of Austria and France blames the commemoration processions of Latvian WWII legionaries
• Russian leader of All for Latvia believes that power in Latvia must belong to Latvians

The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that the relations between Russia and Latvia will not be constructive until the problems of national minorities, especially of Russian speaking residents in Latvia, are solved. “This problem must be solved according to the recommendations of European un international institutions…. The notion “non-citizen” is an anomaly in Europe,” said Sergey Lavrov.

The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that the relations between Russia and Latvia will not be constructive until the problems of national minorities, especially of Russian speaking residents in Latvia, are solved. This problem must be solved according to the recommendations of European un international institutions…. The notion non-citizen is an anomaly in Europe, said Sergey Lavrov. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the European Parliament denied proposals submitted by Italian MEP on the draft law on the EU citizenship and status of its permanent residents. The proposal provided that all EU permanent residents would have rights to vote in municipal elections and that in the Latvian context would expand political rights of Latvian non-citizens.

Yesterday, the European Parliament denied proposals submitted by Italian MEP on the draft law on the EU citizenship and status of its permanent residents. The proposal provided that all EU permanent residents would have rights to vote in municipal elections and that in the Latvian context would expand political rights of Latvian non-citizens. Chas, Diena

The Ambassador of Austria Vernfrid Keffler in an interview with

The Ambassador of Austria Vernfrid Keffler in an interview with Chas stated that commemorational processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March are not acceptable, however, the Austrian Government will not make any official statements regarding the issue. The Ambassador of France Michel Foucherin an interview with Diena (17.01) stated that such processions are not admissible, arguing that they bring instability into society. Latvia should find a day that would encourage unity in the whole society. I think, 11 November would be a good choice, said Michel Foucher.

“I – as a Russian – truly believe that power in Latvia must belong to Latvians,” stated Dmitrijs Mironovs, one of the leaders of the nationalistic party “All for Latvia” in an interview with a private radio station. “Assimilation, according to the views of our party, is acceptance of titular nation’s laws, such as respect towards the Latvian language; acquisition of state language skills; observance of Latvian laws; loyalty towards Latvia and not imposing one’s language and mentality on Latvians,” said Dmitrijs Mironovs. However, the leader of the Youth Party Janis Kuzins when asked to comment the Mironovs’ to in an interview with

I – as a Russian – truly believe that power in Latvia must belong to Latvians, stated Dmitrijs Mironovs, one of the leaders of the nationalistic party All for Latvia in an interview with a private radio station. Assimilation, according to the views of our party, is acceptance of titular nations laws, such as respect towards the Latvian language; acquisition of state language skills; observance of Latvian laws; loyalty towards Latvia and not imposing ones language and mentality on Latvians, said Dmitrijs Mironovs. However, the leader of the Youth Party Janis Kuzins when asked to comment the Mironovs to in an interview with Vesti Segodnya, stated that such nationalistic views are dangerous, because they may lead to serious ethnic conflicts. Latvia can not be only Latvian, Russian, Polish or Chinese. Latvia can and should be a democratic European country, which observes the rights of every resident irrespectively of his/her language, skin color, social and ethnic origin. Vesti Segodnya