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.

General Director of Employers Confederation Elina Egle criticises proposed linguistic restrictions

Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins refused to answer questions in Russian

General Director of Employers’ Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle believes that Latvian language should not be imposed by linguistic restrictions and penalties. Instead, the EU funding should be used to support Latvian language learning and integration of society. She is also worried by the fact that many young Latvian-speakers have very low proficiency in Russian, as it undermines Latvia’s competitive advantage as a bridge between the EU and Russia. According to forecasts of the Employers’ Confederation, by 2013 Latvia will experience a very serious shortage of labour.

General Director of Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle believes that Latvian language should not be imposed by linguistic restrictions and penalties. Instead, the EU funding should be used to support Latvian language learning and integration of society. She is also worried by the fact that many young Latvian-speakers have very low proficiency in Russian, as it undermines Latvias competitive advantage as a bridge between the EU and Russia. According to forecasts of the Employers Confederation, by 2013 Latvia will experience a very serious shortage of labour. Telegraf

Newspapers report that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins at the end of a press briefing refused to answer questions asked in Russian for Russian-language media, stating that he had already provided all answers in Latvian.

Newspapers report that theMinister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins at the end of a press briefing refused to answer questions asked in Russian for Russian-language media, stating that he had already provided all answers in Latvian. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya