Lithuania: WTO again suspends case over China’s sanctions on Lithuania

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has again suspended the case over China’s trade restrictions on Lithuania, following a second request from the European Commission (EC), BNS reports. Apparently, EC lawyers have failed to find sufficient proof of Chinese restrictions on Lithuanian goods. The case may now be halted for a year and then terminated if…

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Baltic: Regional parliament speakers to discuss helping Ukraine, Russian sabotage

Speakers of the parliaments of six countries bordering Russia will meet in the southern Estonian city of Tartu on 3 February 2025 to discuss further support for Ukraine and legislative means to counter Russia’s hybrid warfare, LSM reports. The parliamentary speakers will also discuss relations with the US and the situation in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia,…

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Estonia: Education inequality gap widening between generations: study

The education inequality gap is widening between generations in Estonia, according to a new study, ERR reports. The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) test shows that education inequality is growing faster in Estonia than in other OECD countries. Inequality has deepened in terms of education, language, and especially age. Young people’s…

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Lithuania: President warns against “quick agreement” on Ukraine war

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed scepticism about attempts to end the war in Ukraine with a “quick agreement,” BNS reported. Speaking after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Nauseda said that he did not believe that a quick ceasefire would lead to sustainable peace. Instead, it could amount to a “moral defeat” for…

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Latvia: State administration to end remote work

Latvia’s state administration will end remote work, Raivis Kronbergs, director of the State Chancellery, announced, LSM reports. He said that ministries and subordinate institutions would amend their internal regulations accordingly. Job advertisements will still be able to offer remote work as an option. Kronbergs noted that current premises do not have room for all employees….

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Lithuania: Foreign Minister “not taking sides” in Greenland dispute

Lithuania is “not taking either side” in the dispute over Greenland’s sovereignty, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys stated, BNS reports. Earlier, US President Donald Trump threatened to take control of the island by force. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Budrys noted that Lithuania, Denmark, and the US were “all allies, bound by both long-standing…

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Latvia: President wants lower barrier on referendums

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics plans to propose lowering the threshold for holding public referendums on legislative changes, LSM reports. Rinkevics discussed the issue with Prime Minister Evika Silina and leaders of parliamentary groups, LETA reported. He will invite constitutional experts to join the discussions. Edmunds Jurevics, leader of New Unity’s parliamentary group, and Harijs Rokpelnis,…

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Estonia: New law may ban Moscow-led Estonian Orthodox Church

Estonia’s Ministry of Interior expects the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPEÕK) to leave the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church before summer 2025, ERR reports. Earlier, the ministry submitted a draft legislative amendment to the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, which would ban religious associations directed by countries that threaten Estonia’s public order,…

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Estonia: Telecom providers report drop in revenues in 2024

The combined revenues of Estonia’s three largest telecommunications service providers dropped to around EUR 671mn in 2024, ERR reports. Estonia’s leading telecommunications company, Swedish-owned Telia, reported an annual turnover of EUR 359.7mn, which was down 0.4% from 2023. Finnish-owned Elisa’s turnover fell by 1.2% to EUR 223mn in 2024. Swedish-owned TELE2’s turnover amounted to an…

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