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.

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus welcomes ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Latvia develops a draft law, including the requirements of the Council of Europe directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents

Yesterday the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus expressed his approval ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. The High Commissioner also expressed his approval for the provision, which stipulates that also non-citizens, which according to the adopted national minority definition are not the subjects of the Convention, may enjoy the rights, which are granted to national minorities under the Convention. However, the HC refrained from commenting about introduction of the reservations. When asked to comment on the implementation of the minority education reform, the Commissioner stressed that the reform should be implemented flexibly.

Yesterday the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus expressed his approval ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. The High Commissioner also expressed his approval for the provision, which stipulates that also non-citizens, which according to the adopted national minority definition are not the subjects of the Convention, may enjoy the rights, which are granted to national minorities under the Convention. However, the HC refrained from commenting about introduction of the reservations. When asked to comment on the implementation of the minority education reform, the Commissioner stressed that the reform should be implemented flexibly. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvia has developed a draft law on the acquisition of the status of a EU permanent resident. The new draft law includes the requirements of the Council of Europe Directive 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. The deputy chairperson of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs Maira Roze explained that the effective Immigration Law does not deal with the requirements of the Directive completely, therefore a new draft law which provides a procedure how third-country nationals who reside in Latvia can receive the status of a permanent resident of the European Union had to be developed. According to

Latvia has developed a draft law on the acquisition of the status of a EU permanent resident. The new draft law includes the requirements of the Council of Europe Directive 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. The deputy chairperson of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs Maira Roze explained that the effective Immigration Law does not deal with the requirements of the Directive completely, therefore a new draft law which provides a procedure how third-country nationals who reside in Latvia can receive the status of a permanent resident of the European Union had to be developed. According to Neatkariga Rita Avize, the draft law says that the status of a EU permanent resident may be granted to a Latvian non-citizen, who reside in Latvia permanently for five years and have regular and stable income. Neatkariga Rita Avize