Latvia: MPs Against Treaty With Russia To Mutually Recognise Academic Degrees

Latvia's parliamentary commission for education, research and culture voted down as "inexpedient" a Russian-offered draft treaty for mutual recognition of academic degrees and higher education certificates. Latvia has applied for European Union membership, and now must coordinate whatever moves with the EU, explains MP Helena Demakova of the Latvian Way political party. The commission shrugged off appeals for further talks on the matter, made by MPs Aleksanders Bartasevics and Jakovs Pliners of the group, For Human Rights in an United Latvia. As they point out, the treaty would greatly help Russian speakers resident in Latvia now that higher education has entirely switched to Lettish as tuition language. The arrangement would offer them an opportunity to study in Russia for ensuing employment in Latvia.