Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has turned to the State Security Service (VDD) over Hungarian banking group OTP Bank’s plan to acquire the Baltic banking group, Luminor Bank, LSM reports. He noted that the statement of intent on the possible acquisition was just the start of the process, adding that regulatory approval for the deal would…
Hungarian banking group OTP Bank’s operations in Russia raise “legitimate questions” about its planned acquisition of the Baltic banking group, Luminor Bank, Lithuania’s central bank, the Bank of Lithuania, stated, Reuters reports. Earlier, OTP Bank announced that it had signed an agreement to buy Estonia-based Luminor. The Bank of Lithuania said that the European Central…
Hungary’s OTP Bank has signed an agreement to acquire the Baltic banking group, Luminor Bank, from US-based private equity fund manager Blackstone and Norway’s DNB Bank, Baltic News reports. OTP Bank had already expressed interest in acquiring Luminor several years ago, LETA reported. Luminor is the third-largest provider of financial services in the Baltic States….
Estonia’s President, Alar Karis, has appointed new Estonian ambassadors to several European countries, ERR reports. Estonia’s new ambassador to Latvia will be Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk, replacing Eerik Marmei. The new ambassador to Hungary will be Jana Vanamölder, who will replace Raul Toomas. Siiri Königsberg was appointed ambassador to Moldova, replacing Aune Kotli, while Tiina Intelmann will…
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry lacks the ability to look ahead, President Alar Karis stated, ERR reports. Speaking in an interview with regional daily Lääne Elu, Karis noted that once the war in Ukraine ends, the question will arise whether Estonia still has friends left. Estonia therefore needs “the strength to look a bit further,” he said….
Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, criticised President Alar Karis who suggested helping Hungary pay fines for cancelling oil contracts with Russia, ERR reported. Speaking in an interview with Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Karis urged Hungary to end the contracts. Tsahkna insisted that it would be “inconceivable” for states that had freed themselves of dependence on Russian…
Cultural activists in Lithuania are preparing for a nationwide “warning strike” on 5 October 2025 to protest against control of the Ministry of Culture by the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), LRT reports. Earlier, protests across the country contributed to the hasty resignation of PPNA’s newly-appointed Culture Minister, Ignotas Adomavicius. Cultural leaders fear…
Lithuanian cultural workers have rejected talks with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene over their opposition to the appointment of Ignotas Adomavicius, member of the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas, as Minister of Culture, BNS reports. Activists have set up a committee to coordinate protests and plans for a warning strike on 5 October 2025, LRT…
Hungary is siding with Russia in the war against Ukraine, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna suggested, ERR reports. Speaking on ETV, Tsahkna said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had begun “fighting for the opposing team.” The Hungarian position was “far removed” from what the EU had agreed upon, Tsahkna stated. He said that Estonia…
