• Chas prints an article about 83 year-old woman who is forced to attend Latvian language courses in order to receive permanent residency permit in Latvia
• Draft guidelines for society integration programme will be submitted to the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis on 15 December

Chas prints an article about 83 year-old woman who is forced to attend Latvian language courses in order to receive permanent residency permit in Latvia. The woman lives in Latvia since 1945, but after return of Latvian independence she received Russian citizenship and moved to Russia in 1993. In 2001 the woman returned to Latvia to live with her son. However, she resides in the country with temporary residency permit which has to be reissued every year going trough long and costly procedure. Because of her status, she also does not receive state subsidised healthcare, such as access to family doctor and discounts for medicines. According to representative of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board, presently there are no age limits for those taking language exams in order to receive permanent residency permits. However, new draft regulations, which might envisage easier examination requirements for certain health status or age groups, are being elaborated.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that the draft guidelines for society integration programme will be submitted to the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis on 15 December. As reported, the Secretariat has entrusted elaboration of the guidelines to a private company, alleging that this decision is justified by the fact that draft guidelines initially elaborated by the Secretariat itself were heavily criticised. Latvijas Avize