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.

• Saeimas Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments
• The council of the ruling coalition parties considers that conditions for granting residence permits to foreign investors should more severe

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments. The FHRUL based its proposal on the opinion of rectors of the biggest Latvian higher education establishments that opportunity to teach in foreign languages particularly in Russian would attract foreign students to Latvia and improve financial situation of universities.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Committee on Education, Science and Culture rejected proposal of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to abolish the norm stipulating that Latvian is the only language of instructions in state higher education establishments. The FHRUL based its proposal on the opinion of rectors of the biggest Latvian higher education establishments that opportunity to teach in foreign languages particularly in Russian would attract foreign students to Latvia and improve financial situation of universities. Vesti Segodnya

The council of the ruling coalition parties sent back to the Saeima’s Committee on National Economy the draft amendments to the Immigration Law which envisaged easing requirements for granting residence permits to foreign investors. The proposed draft amendments stipulated that a foreigner who bought real estate in Latvia for over LVL 100,000 and invested in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia at least LVL 24,000 can be grated permanent residence permit. However, the coalition’s council considers that the conditions for granting residence permits should more severe.

The council of the ruling coalition parties sent back to the Saeimas Committee on National Economy the draft amendments to the Immigration Law which envisaged easing requirements for granting residence permits to foreign investors. The proposed draft amendments stipulated that a foreigner who bought real estate in Latvia for over LVL 100,000 and invested in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia at least LVL 24,000 can be grated permanent residence permit. However, the coalitions council considers that the conditions for granting residence permits should more severe. Vesti Segodnya