Lithuania: President plugs lower level ties with China
Restoring Lithuania’s full diplomatic relations with communist China should not depend on the name of…
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Welcome to Via Baltica, your “information superhighway” for news from the three Baltic tigers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! Our founder and editor-in-chief is Kerkko Paananen, senior news analyst with more than two decades of professional expertise in covering and reporting on current affairs in the Baltic States. We aim to do one thing well:…
Lithuania: President plugs lower level ties with China
Restoring Lithuania’s full diplomatic relations with communist China should not depend on the name of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Nauseda suggested restoring diplomatic representation on a lower level first, such as deputy heads of mission rather than ambassadors. He…
Latvia: More restrictions on travel to Russia, Belarus
The Latvian government has extended a ban on chartered bus tours to Russia and Belarus for one year until 31 October 2027, LSM reports. The ban applies to all bus operators, regardless of the country of registration of the vehicle. The government pointed to the need to ensure the safety of residents and the risk…
Estonia: Consumer confidence down sharply in October 2026
Consumer confidence in Estonia declined sharply while overall business confidence improved in October 2026, according to Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The consumer confidence index stood at -32.4 percentage points, which was down from -23.5 points in September 2026. The confidence of Estonian consumers in their own financial situation and the country’s general economic situation decreased…
Lithuania: Fitch affirms A+ rating with stable outlook
The international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed Lithuania’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at A+ with a stable outlook, the Finance Ministry announced, BNS reports. The agency pointed to Lithuania’s credible policy framework, EU and eurozone membership, resilient economic growth, moderate government debt, and high institutional quality. Risks were related to the current…
Latvia: Latvians, Russians disagree on EU, NATO, Ukraine
Latvia’s Russian-speakers have a markedly more negative attitude towards the EU and NATO than ethnic Latvians, according to a survey conducted by the Riga-based association, Russian Voice for Latvia, LSM reports. The survey showed that, on a scale of 1 to 10, Latvians rated their attitude towards the EU at 8.4 points, while the average…
Estonia: President appoints key advisers
Estonian President Ülle Madise has appointed Paavo Nõgene as director of the Office of the President, ERR reports. Previously, Nõgene served as secretary general of the Ministry of Culture and CEO of the Estonian shipping company, Tallink. Earlier, Rainer Saks joined Madise’s team as her defence and national security adviser, ERR reported. Saks is a member…
Baltic: Baltic, Polish leaders urge EU funding for Rail Baltica
Baltic and Polish leaders urged the EU to allocate necessary funding for the Rail Baltica railway project under the EU’s multiannual financial framework in 2028-2034, the Office of the President of Lithuania reported. In a joint letter to European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders reaffirmed the…
Lithuania: Big majority unhappy with country’s direction
An overwhelming majority of Lithuanians think that the current situation in the country is heading in the wrong direction, according to Baltijos Tyrimai’s latest poll for ELTA, DELFI reports. The public opinion survey showed that 62% of Lithuanian residents were pessimistic about the country’s situation in September-October 2026. Meanwhile, 23% of respondents said that the…
Latvia: Ministry to bring family values into schools
Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science plans to incorporate family values and health literacy into the country’s national education curriculum, LETA reports. The new teaching module is scheduled to be developed by May 2027. Critics, including the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA), have voiced concerns that the planned educational content could…