Following the imposition of sanctions on Russian timber, Estonia has seen a surge in heavy timber imports from unexpected countries, where forests are assumed to be scarce, Postimees reports. Henrik Välja, CEO of the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association (EMPL), said that Russian timber continued to flow into Estonia through an illegal scheme whereby…
The NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is set to have unprecedented security measures in place, with approximately 12,000 officers and soldiers assigned to ensure security, BNS reports. This is the first time that Lithuania is hosting an event of such magnitude. The summit will welcome 48 foreign delegations with 2,400 members, including 40 heads…
Polish President Andrzej Duda will pay a state visit to Lithuania on 5-7 July 2023, the Lithuanian president’s office announced, BNS reports. The state visit will begin with a bilateral meeting between Duda and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. The two presidents will attend a flag raising ceremony outside the presidential palace in Vilnius on King…
Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, criticised the “harsh rhetoric” of Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis over the deployment of a full German brigade in Lithuania, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with LNK, Nauseda said that such rhetoric was not helpful. He stressed the need to ensure trust in partner countries, noting that Germany was Lithuania’s “biggest…
More than 5,000 people took part in the Vilnius Pride march in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on 1 July 2023, The Baltic Times reports. March participants deplored Lithuania’s slow progress in ensuring the rights of sexual minorities. Ajus Jurgaitis, co-founder of the Trans Autonomija association and one of the organisers of the march, expressed hope…
Strong winds and high waves disrupted ferry services to Estonia’s smaller islands on 3 July 2023, BNS reported. Ferry operator Kihnu Veeteed cancelled departures of the Kihnu Virve and Soela passenger ferries were cancelled during the day. Also, the Ormsö passenger ferry did not accept heavy vehicles on the Sviby-Rohuküla route.
Estonia’s Ministry of Justice is undertaking efforts to improve the clarity and transparency of electronic voting rules, aligning them with the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court, BNS reports. The changes will elevate e-voting documentation to a higher decision-making level. Previously, the responsibility for the documentation largely rested with the National Electoral Committee and the…
Around half of Estonian residents plan to go on vacation abroad in summer 2023, according to a survey by insurance firm If Kindlustus, BNS reports. Around 20% of respondents intend to go on vacation in a neighbouring country, while some 25% will travel farther away, including 7% to a holiday destination outside Europe. Meanwhile, 41%…