The positive development of Latvia s economy has been acknowledged by international credit rating agencies. Fitch IBCA also ranked Latvia in the 'investment country' category. These ratings are among the very highest in Central and Eastern Europe. The EU has become the main trading partner of Latvia. Since Latvia regained its independence in August 1991, a renewal process for Latvia's armed forces, including the National Armed Forces, the Home Guard and Border Guard, has been underway.
Conscientious objectors have the option of serving in non-military service.
Educational reform in Latvia is ongoing. There are also Russian schools where Russian is the language of instruction, and apart from Russians, children of many nationalities including Belarussians, Ukrainians, and Tatars attend these schools. 600 students and 1 Jewish school with approx. There are also schools or classes held in Estonian, Lithuanian, Belorussian, Ukrainian and Gypsy, and various ethnic Sunday schools. After 1940, when Latvia was occupied by the USSR, many places of religious worship were closed and clergymen were imprisoned or exiled.