Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged the EU to begin membership negotiations with Ukraine in 2023, BNS reports. Speaking after a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, Nauseda argued that a clear European perspective would inspire Ukrainians to continue fighting for their country. He said that Lithuania was ready to share its experience and…
The volume of electricity generated in Latvia totalled 4,997 GWh in 2022, which was 14.5% less than in 2021, according to the Central Statistical Bureau, LSM reports. Renewable energy sources accounted for 3,783 GWh of the total volume, which was up 1.7% from a year earlier. Hydro power plants generated 2,750 GWh (up 1.6%) and…
An extraordinary congress of the opposition Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) has elected Tallinn mayor Mihhail Kõlvart as the party’s new chairman, ERR reports. Kõlvart won with 543 votes against MP Tanel Kiik who received 489 votes. Kõlvart replaced Jüri Ratas, who supported Kiik for his successor. Ratas had chaired the Centre Party since 2016. Kõlvart’s…
The European Commission (EC) is not considering paying subsidies to cover the cost of transporting Ukrainian grain through Baltic ports, EC Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis stated. Speaking in an interview with BNS, Dombrovskis said that the EC may provide financing for removing administrative or infrastructure bottlenecks, however. Also, the EC supported Lithuania’s proposal to move customs,…
Lithuania has sent over 4.5mn rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, the Defence Ministry announced, BNS reports. Lithuania’s military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion totals EUR 0.5bn. The government plans to send a further EUR 200mn of military aid to Ukraine in 2024-2026. Overall, Lithuania’s total aid to Ukraine amounts to…
Sorting biodegradable waste will be mandatory in Latvia as of 1 January 2024, LSM reports. Currently, only around 25% of Latvian households sort their waste, according to a Norstat survey for waste management company Getlini EKO. The company has opened a website that allows residents to request that biowaste containers be placed at their address….
Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, criticised US technology entrepreneur Elon Musk for denying Ukraine access to his astronautics company SpaceX’s satellite network, Starlink, ERR reports. Tsahkna noted that Musk had an opportunity to shorten the war in Ukraine and save lives, but chose not to do so. Musk said that he had refused Ukraine’s request…
If Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda decides to veto the government’s bill on gender-neutral civil unions, it would cause an “international scandal,” Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite, chairwoman of the liberal Freedom Party, stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview on Ziniu Radijas, Armonaite urged Nauseda to take a stronger position on “defending European values.” Nauseda has not…
Social media users in Latvia have highlighted statements by Andris Spruds, potential candidate for minister of defence, about the Latvian state and Russian-occupied Crimea, Baltic News Network reports. Speaking in an interview on the Russian-language radio station, Radio Baltkom, in January 2013, Spruds contested the legal continuity of the Latvian republic. Also, he asserted that…