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…
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’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…
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 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…
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’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…
The Lithuanian government has introduced a 50% discount on domestic train tickets and will introduce a similar discount on intercity bus fares until the end of 2026, BNS reports. The purpose is to encourage the use of public transport amid the rise in fuel prices. Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said that the additional discount would…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has passed urgent amendments to the law regulating the Latvian Public Service Media (LSM), LSM reports. Under the changes, LSM will be required to retain the historical names of its radio and TV channels, Latvijas Radio and Latvijas Televizija (LTV). Also, Latvijas Radio’s and LTV’s news services will have to…
