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.

• Permanent residents of Latvia can submit applications for the reception of the status of EU permanent resident
• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs: we dont want to politicize problems of Russians in Latvia like Tatyana Zdanok does

The Office of Citizenship and Migration announced that non-citizens and permanent residents of Latvia might submit applications for receiving the status of the EU permanent resident since 23 January. However, the status will be granted only after the requirements of the EU Directive concerning the status of third country nationals will be transposed in national legislation, in particular when the draft amendments will be adopted to the Immigration Law. As reported, 23 January 2006 was the deadline for the transposition of the EU Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents into legislations of member states.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration announced that non-citizens and permanent residents of Latvia might submit applications for receiving the status of the EU permanent resident since 23 January. However, the status will be granted only after the requirements of the EU Directive concerning the status of third country nationals will be transposed in national legislation, in particular when the draft amendments will be adopted to the Immigration Law. As reported, 23 January 2006 was the deadline for the transposition of the EU Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents into legislations of member states. Vesti Segodnya

In an interview with the newspaper Biznes&Baltija; the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by Russian speaking residents in Latvia in the field of their rights and freedoms. However, Sergey Lavrov said: “We are against the politicization of this problem, because we do not want to let some politicians like Tatyana Zdanok (MEP from Latvia) to use these problems for their political business.” Tatyana Zdanok refused to  comment on the statement.

In an interview with the newspaper Biznes&Baltija the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by Russian speaking residents in Latvia in the field of their rights and freedoms. However, Sergey Lavrov said: We are against the politicization of this problem, because we do not want to let some politicians like Tatyana Zdanok (MEP from Latvia) to use these problems for their political business. Tatyana Zdanok refused to comment on the statement. Diena