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.

• European Commission decided to refer Latvia to the Court of Justice of the EU
• Vesti Segodnya interviews the Minister of Education Ina Druviete
• 7353 residence permits were issued in 2013

The European Commission decided to refer Latvia to the Court of Justice of the European Union because it allows only Latvian nationals to take up and practise the profession of notary. The Court of Justice of the EU already ruled in May 2011 (case against Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, Luxembourg, Austria and The Netherlands) that such nationality requirements are contrary to the principle of freedom of establishment, and that the activities of notaries are not covered by an exception concerning activities linked to public authority. Latvia was also asked to change the existing requirements regarding nationality of notary, but no actions have been taken. Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Vesti Segodnya interviews the Minister of Education Ina Druviete about the fact that the new government coalition envisages transition of ethnic minority schools to education in Latvian language only starting with 1 September 2018. According to Mrs Druviete, the government coalition does not say that education in Latvia will be in Latvian language only. Mrs Druviete says that Latvian schools are not divided by ethnic principle but there are schools which use education programs in ethnic minority languages and these programs will remain. Mrs Druviete says that the task is to ensure high level of state language proficiency which would guarantee unity of the society and competitiveness of school graduators. Ensuring language and culture of ethnic minorities is also an important task. Taking into account these two tasks the government thinks how to improve education in ethnic minority languages – says the Minister. According to Mrs Druviete, as of 2018 the majority of schools should use the first model of bilingual education according to which all the subjects are in Latvian except native language, literature and culture. The Minister plans to discuss the issue on increase of Latvian language lessons in kindergartens and to meet with directors of ethnic minority schools discussing situation and models of bilingual education used. 

According to Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 7353 residence permits were issued in 2013 which is 977 permits more than in 2012. The biggest number of residence permits (2751) was granted to foreigners who bought real estate in Latvia. 1372 permits were granted concerning employment and commerce activities in Latvia. 1300 permits were granted for study purpose in Latvia, 663 foreigners received permits due to family ties. The majority of foreigners who received residence permit through large investments into Latvian economy were Russian (3090) and Chinese (445) citizens. Leader of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM, MP Raivis Dzintars criticizing the existing system of granting residence permits to foreign investors as one of the arguments mentioning that some investors are connected to Russia’s security bodies and political organisations. Mr Dzintars also believes that “sale” of residence permits negatively impacts ethnic Latvian cultural environment. Neatkariga