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.

• Ministry of Welfare elaborated draft amendments to the Law on State Pensions stipulating equal approach to calculation of pensions to citizens and non-citizens of Latvia
• Round table discussion Cultural-Informative Space in Baltic States and Russia: What Unites Us? held yesterday in Riga

Telegraf reports that the Ministry of Welfare elaborated draft amendments to the Law on State Pensions stipulating elimination of discrimination and ensuring equal approach to calculation of pensions to citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, including years of service during the Soviet times. The newspaper notes that the basis for such amendments is judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of a Latvian pensioner, non-citizen Natalija Andrejeva who objected the fact that the years of her employment during the Soviet times at an enterprise located in Latvia but subordinated to lead organisations in Moscow and Kiev is not included in the total length of service on the ground that she does not have Latvian citizenship.

Newspapers

Newspapers reports about a round table discussion Cultural-Informative Space in Baltic States and Russia: What Unites Us? held yesterday in Riga. Representatives of Latvian and Russian mass media took part in the discussion. The main conclusion of the round table is that Baltic States and Russia are united by culture, while separated by distinct understanding of history. According to a famous Russian journalist Aleksey Benediktov, Russians will never accept assertion that the Red Army is an occupant and that Latvian Waffen SS legionaries are heroes. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf