Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has arrived in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on a tour of Baltic States, ERR reports. The topics of discussion will be security, EU and NATO integration, cooperation on electronic warfare and drones, and coordinating European support for Ukraine. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the “uncompromising support” for Ukraine that the Baltic States…
Lithuania is exploring the possibility of acquiring a stake in Latvia’s national air carrier, Air Baltic Corporation (airBaltic), according to Transport Minister Marius Skuodis, BNS reports. Skuodis has discussed the issue with his Latvian counterpart, Kaspars Briskens. Skuodis suggested that some airBaltic aircraft could be based in Lithuania and that airBaltic could become a joint…
Latvia’s registered unemployment level stood at 5.7% of the economically active population at the end of 2023, which was down from 6.1% at the end of 2022, according to data from the State Employment Agency (NVA), LETA reported. The number of registered unemployed totalled 50,344 at the end of 2023, which was down from 53,536…
Latvia will gradually assume responsibility for NATO’s Baltic air policing mission due to ongoing repairs at the Estonian Air Force base in Ämari, LETA reports. The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) air base in Lielvarde will host the mission for nine months from 1 March 2024. This is the first time that the mission rotation…
Sweden will deploy an army battalion of 800 troops to Latvia in early 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced, LSM reports. The mechanised battalion, which may include Leopard tanks, will be part of the Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group based in Latvia. Sweden is due to join NATO soon. In July 2023,…
The number of new businesses registered in Latvia totalled 8,772 in 2023, according to data from enterprise database Lursoft, LETA reports. Meanwhile, the number of businesses liquidated amounted 7,844 in 2023, which was the lowest number since 2015. In the previous seven years, the number of liquidated enterprises exceeded the number of new businesses. Over…
More than every tenth person in Latvia is lonely, according to a Norstat poll for LSM. The survey showed that 13% of residents feel lonely throughout the year, while 25% feel lonelier during autumn and winter. As many as 20% of young people aged 18-29 years feel lonely regardless of the season and 32% during…
The EU should ban the import and transit of grain from Russia and Belarus, Latvia’s Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens stated, LSM reports. He urged the Baltic States to adopt a joint position on the issue, whereas Latvia’s state-owned rail operator, LDz Cargo, insisted on the need for a common EU stance. When Estonia’s state-owned rail…
Retailers in Estonia expect declining sales in the first half of 2024 amid lower consumer confidence, ERR reports. Many consumers plan to go shopping in neighbouring countries due to the rise in the VAT rate from 20% to 22% as of 1 January 2024, according to a Norstat poll for Citadele bank, BNS reports. The…