Traffic on roads in Estonia reached a new all-time record in 2023, according to data from the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet), ERR reports. The total volume of vehicle mileage amounted to 11.9bn km in 2023, which was up 2.4% from 11.6bn km in 2022. Passenger cars accounted for 72.3% of the total mileage, followed by…
Lithuania will buy mobile short-range air defence systems from Sweden’s Saab Dynamics for EUR 147mn, the Ministry of Defence announced, BNS reports. The ministry’s Defence Materiel Agency (GRA) has signed a contract on buying the RBS70 NG (MSHORAD) systems, with delivery scheduled for 2025-2027. Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that the advantage of the systems…
The Latvian government made a decision in 2015 to include international railway stations at Riga Central Station and Riga International Airport (RIX) in the Rail Baltica project, according to the Ministry of Transport, LETA reports. The then government approved a plan to build the project’s most complex objects first so that they would be available…
US technology company Meta has barred users of its Facebook social media platform from sharing an article on Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) officers allegedly attending an event under false names to gather information on members of the Sakala fraternity at the University of Tartu, ERR reports. KAPO and the Estonian government’s communications office categorically denied taking…
The Baltic States will present a capability development plan at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, BNS reports. Estonian President Alar Karis emphasised the need for increased defence spending, suggesting a minimum target of 2.5-3% of GDP. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda pointed out that Lithuania’s defence spending has already reached 3% of GDP in 2024….
Nearly 1,000 Jews have submitted claims for compensation for property illegally expropriated in Lithuania during the 20th century, BNS reports. The Good Will Foundation (GVF), which handles the claims, is currently evaluating 951 applications. The evaluation process involves three stages: checking administrative eligibility, review by the restitution committee, and final decision by the foundation’s board….
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics is emulating former president Vaira Vike-Freiberga by seeking support directly from society, rather than relying on political elites, according to political analyst Filips Rajevskis, LETA reports. Rajevskis notes that Rinkevics is positioning himself as a mediator between citizens and the political elite. Although his role lacks direct power, the president’s extensive…
A new law in Estonia will allow ships sailing under the Estonian flag to employ private armed security guards in high-risk zones, enhancing protection against piracy and armed robbery, ERR reports. The move aims to boost the international appeal of the Estonian flag by enabling shipowners to contract security services more flexibly. Security personnel can…
Amid rising incomes and optimism about their financial situation, Lithuanians are spending more on food and non-essentials but are increasingly reluctant to dine out due to high restaurant prices driven by rising labour costs and the expiration of pandemic-era tax breaks, LRT reports. While supermarket food sales are boosting economic growth, restaurant turnover has fallen…