Estonia: Tartu-Riga train not funded in state budget strategy

The Estonian government has failed to include a project to open a regular passenger train connection between Tartu and the Latvian capital, Riga, in its long-term budget plans for 2025-2027, ERR reports. The government points to concerns about a competing Latvian proposal that would entail lower costs but less convenient departure times. Nevertheless, the government…

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Lithuania: Some trucks checked in farmer protest on Polish border

Polish farmers are holding a week-long protest at the Lithuanian border, collaborating with authorities to check incoming trucks for Ukrainian grain, BNS reports. While some trucks have been diverted for inspection, most vehicles are being allowed to flow freely and no traffic jams have occurred. The farmers allege that Ukrainian grain is being falsely labelled…

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Estonia: MPs call for closer ties with Israel

Members of the national defence committee of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, visited Israel and called for closer ties between the two countries, ERR reported. The MPs condemned the Palestinian terrorist organisation, Hamas, and urged Palestinians to reject the group. The Estonian parliamentarians encouraged Israel to consider providing military aid to Ukraine. Also, they highlighted…

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Lithuania: Polish farmers begin border blockade

Polish farmers have begun a week-long partial blockade of the Lithuanian border, BNS reports. The farmers are protesting against the EU’s environmental policies and the import of Ukrainian agricultural products. Polish authorities, not the farmers themselves, will conduct official checks, focusing on the origin of grain, particularly potential Russian imports disguised as Ukrainian. The farmers…

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Baltic: Russia declares Estonian PM, Baltic officials “wanted”

Russia has issued arrest warrants against Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Deutsche Welle reports. This is the first time that Russia has opened a criminal case against an acting foreign head of government. The Russian Interior Ministry’s full database of wanted people, which was leaked to independent Russian media outlet Mediazona, indicated that Kallas and…

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Lithuania: Two more checkpoints on Belarus border to be closed down

Lithuania will close down two more checkpoints on the border with Belarus as of 1 March 2024, BNS reports. Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said that closing the checkpoints in Lavoriskes and Raigardas would allow authorities to enforce sanctions, prevent smuggling, and screen incoming travellers more effectively. Also, the National Security Commission (NSK) proposed cutting the…

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