Estonia’s debt to GDP ratio rose in the third quarter of 2023 but was still the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data, ERR reports. Estonia’s general government gross debt totalled EUR 6.789bn, which was up from EUR 5.585bn in the third quarter of 2022. The country’s debt to GDP ratio stood at 18.2%,…
Lithuania expects negotiations on Moldova’s EU membership to begin in March 2024, President Gitanas Nauseda said, BNS reports. Speaking after a meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nauseda called on Moldova to “mobilise on reforms.” He added that Lithuania was ready to help Moldova…
The Estonian government plans to invest EUR 680.5mn in road maintenance in 2024-2027, which is EUR 76mn more than in the previous four-year period, the Ministry of Climate announced, BNS reports. State budget funds will account for EUR 543.8mn and funding from the EU’s Cohesion Fund and Connecting Europe Facility for EUR 136.7mn of the…
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas may succeed Josep Borrell as the EU’s next foreign policy chief, Politico reports. Kallas leads the Estonian Reform Party, which is part of the liberal Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. However, she could face some resistance due to her tough stance on Russia, Politico suggested. Earlier, Kallas argued…
The Baltic States support banning the import of grain from Russia and Belarus into the EU, according to the Lithuanian Transport Minister, Marius Skuodis, BNS reports. He discussed the issue with Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens and Estonian Climate Minister Kristen Michal. The ministers agreed to coordinate actions and avoid national initiatives. Earlier, Skuodis noted…
The Latvian government has outlined a comprehensive action plan to strengthen national security over the next few years, LETA reports. Key initiatives include securing allied presence, implementing NATO’s strategic concept, contributing to the EU’s security and defence policy, strengthening cooperation with transatlantic partners, and promoting EU-NATO cooperation. The plan prioritises dialogue with NATO member states,…
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds expressed scepticism about the idea of creating an “EU army,” LSM reported. Latvia’s position was that NATO was irreplaceable and constituted the cornerstone of European security, Spruds stated. He pointed out that NATO united most EU countries as well as non-EU countries, insisting that there was no need to duplicate…
Estonia’s state-owned Rail Baltic Estonia has signed a contract for construction work on the first section of the new Rail Baltica main railway line with TREV-2 Grupp and AllSpark, ERR reports. The 4.8-kilometre section runs from Tallinn’s Ülemiste railway station to Rae municipality. Construction work will begin in spring 2024 and is due to be…
Latvia’s Foreign Minister, former prime minister Krisjanis Karins, would like to become a European Commissioner if he fails to win the race for the post of Secretary General of NATO, LETA reports. Latvia’s ruling New Unity party has yet to decide whether to name Karins or Latvia’s current EU commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, to top the…