POLICY REPORT ON IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM IN LATVIA ...

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organizing next informative events in future implementation of the Multiannual Programme of
the Integration Fund.
3.2 Stockholm Programme (1-2 paragraphs in the text box created for each commitment)
The relevant commitments in the Stockholm Programme are similar to the Pact objective
above, hence no further information required.
4 Integration
4.1 European Pact on Immigration and Asylum (1-2 paragraphs in the text box created for
each commitment)
The relevant commitments in the Pact for this sub-section are in particular:
I(g) Promote harmonious integration in line with the common basic principles
The common basic principles may be found in the JHA Council Conclusions of 19
November 2004, doc. 14615/05, 189 as well as the Commission Communication COM(2005)
389. 190
Please describe (planned) measures for the integration of third-country nationals,
considering, for example, measures enabling immigrants to acquire a basic knowledge of
the host society's language, history, and institutions, "efforts in education" "participation
of immigrants in the democratic process and in the formulation of integration policies
and measures, especially at the local level", access to employment and public and social
services, policy development on integration, etc.
On 26 March 2010, Law "Amendment to the Education Law" entered into force after
adoption by Saeima on 4 March 2010. The purpose of the said Law is to ensure that every
resident of Latvia has the opportunity to develop his or her mental and physical potential, in
order to become an independent and a fully developed individual, a member of the democratic
State and society of Latvia. It must be noted that the above-mentioned Amendment to the Law
define the group of persons precisely who have the right to acquire education: citizens of
Latvia; non-citizens of Latvia; citizens of the European Union, citizens of the European
Economic Area or citizens of the Swiss Confederation who hold a valid residence permit in the
Republic of Latvia; stateless persons who hold a valid travel document of a stateless person
issued in the Republic of Latvia; citizens or stateless persons of a third country who hold a
valid residence permit in the Republic of Latvia; refugees or persons who have obtained the
alternative status; personas who have received temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia.
A minor third-country national or stateless person who does not have the legal basis to
reside in the Republic of Latvia has the right to acquire elementary education during a period
stated for voluntary return, or during a period for which expulsion has been postponed, as well
as during detention of him or her.
In compliance with the above-mentioned Law "Amendment to the Education Law", a
fee for the acquisition of elementary education and secondary education for the above-indicated
persons shall be determined and paid in accordance with the same procedure as for citizens of
Latvia and non-citizens of Latvia.
Currently, the European Third-Country National Integration Fund is the main financial
instrument for the ensuring of activities for the integration of immigrants. The Multiannual
Programme of the Fund and annual programmes are developed in compliance with the
189 Available from http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/82745.pdf.
190 Available from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.douri=CELEX:52005DC0389:EN:NOT.