ABSTRACT
By signing the Treaty of Accession on 16 April 2004 Latvia confirmed its intention to finalise the political and legal basis for membership in the European Union, a decision confirmed by popular referendum on 30 September 2003. The physical border between two countries is not only a geographical reality, but also a symbol of sovereignty and identity. At the same time, borders have practical significance, no less so for the European Union than for traditional nation-states. Many concrete practical issues underline the importance of normalising the legal position of the Russian-Latvian border. A new Immigration Law came into force in Latvia on 1 May 2003. With its related by-laws, this legislation provides the cornerstone for immigration policy in Latvia. Visa stickers comply with the requirements of the acquis regarding their form, content, and protection against forgery, but do not yet fully meet the Schengen standards.
