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.

• President Andris Berzins returned the draft amendments to the Immigration Law concerning residence permits back to the Parliament
• Newspapers report about a congress of a social democratic party “Concord”

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins returned the draft amendments to the Immigration Law concerning residence permits back to the Parliament. As reported, the Saeima supported the draft amendments introducing quotas on granting residence permits to foreign investors and also a new option to receive residence permit by paying EUR 50,000 to the state budget. In a letter to the Saeima’s Speaker Solvita Aboltina, the President drew attention to the absurdity of such provisions and stressed that quotas would harm investment environment. The President also stressed that various researches approved financial benefit of the existing provisions on residence permits to foreign investors. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about a congress of a social democratic party “Concord”. Its leader Nils Usakovs stressed that one of the main tasks of the party is to care about preservation and development of Latvian language and culture and, at the same time, it is important to care more effectively about ethnic minorities and to fight against Russophobia, xenophobia and nationalism. Party’s leaders also stressed the support the Concord Centre received from ethnic Latvians at the elections to the Riga City Council and ethnic Latvian members of the party. Diena, Latvijas Avize