Estonian President Alar Karis assured that Estonia’s foreign policy remained united despite criticism of his comments on the war in Ukraine, ERR reports. Earlier, Karis expressed support for appointing a special EU envoy for peace talks with Russia and suggested that Ukraine cede territory to end the war. Speaking on the sidelines of the opening…
The water level in the Baltic Sea has fallen to one of the lowest levels in recorded history, ELTA reports. On the Latvian coast, the sea level has dropped to around 65 cm below zero level, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC). In Liepaja and Ventspils, the sea level is close…
China remains open to dialogue with Lithuania, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated, Reuters reported. China hopes that Lithuania will “translate its willingness to improve bilateral relations into concrete action and promptly rectify its error,” he said. Earlier, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated that the previous government had made a “major mistake” in…
All but two Latvian mayors have been granted access to state secrets as required by law, LETA reports. The State Security Service (VDD) has refused security clearances to Aleksandrs Bartasevics, chairman of the Rezekne city council, and Gatis Truksnis, former mayor of Jurmala. VDD is still reviewing the security clearances of five deputy chairs of…
Estonian capital Tallinn’s city council has approved the city budget for 2026, ERR reports. Total revenues are planned at EUR 1.2bn, including EUR 781.2mn from personal income tax, EUR 188.3mn in state and other grants, EUR 112.4mn from the sale of goods and services, EUR 36.4mn from land tax, and EUR 9.5mn from external funding….
Authorities in Latvia and Lithuania have opened investigations into information in documents related to the convicted US sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. The documents contain hundreds of references to Latvia and Lithuania, including indications that Epstein’s associates had recruited young women and children for sexual exploitation through local modelling agencies, LETA and LRT reported. Latvia’s State…
Lithuanian officials have been making public statements recently suggesting a possible rapprochement in relations with neighbouring Belarus, only to retract their remarks afterwards, LRT reports. Observers say that the comments may be an attempt to test whether Lithuanian public opinion on Belarus is changing. Officials have suggested opening talks with Belarus and easing sanctions imposed…
State-owned and municipal companies in Latvia involved in building or maintaining critical infrastructure have begun dismissing Russian and Belarusian citizens, LETA reports. Under amendments to the law on national security, Russian and Belarusian citizens may not be employed in jobs with access to critical infrastructure. Latvian capital Riga’s municipal water utility, Rigas Udens, has terminated…
Estonian authorities have released a Bahamian-flagged container ship stopped earlier on suspicion of drug smuggling, ERR reports. The Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) found no narcotics on board the vessel, Baltic Spirit, which was en route from Puerto Bolívar in Ecuador to Saint Petersburg in Russia. Estonian authorities boarded and detained the ship based…