Joint policy coordination among the three Baltic States was crucial in the current geopolitical situation, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reports. Speaking during an official visit to Lithuania, Rinkevics noted that Latvia and Lithuania shared common interests in terms of EU and NATO policy, strengthening security and defence capabilities, ensuring energy security and independence,…
Coordinated action by the Baltic States was essential to synchronise their power grids with the continental European system, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reports. Rinkevics discussed the synchronisation project with Climate and Energy Minister Raimonds Cudars. Earlier, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged Rinkevics to speed up the synchronisation project, LETA reported. Speaking after a…
Latvia’s retail sector has had no competition, especially in grocery trade, for years, Agriculture Minister Didzis Smits stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Smits asserted that retailers could set markups of 300% plus VAT on local produce and still compete, which he said was “abnormal” and “unpatriotic.” He insisted that in such…
Estonia’s Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) has confirmed African swine fever (ASF) at a pig farm in Rõuge municipality in Võrumaa county, ERR reports. The farm has been quarantined, and all of the farm’s 116 pigs will be slaughtered. The previous ASF outbreak at a pig farm in Estonia was recorded in Harjumaa county in…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has conducted a search at the Sigulda municipal council as part of ongoing criminal proceedings, LETA reports. Municipal spokespersons refused to disclose more details, however. According to sources, one municipal councillor and a local businessman were implicated in the criminal investigation. LTV reported that the investigation was looking…
Latvia’s Economy Minister, Ilze Indriksone, visited South Korea together with a delegation of Latvian entrepreneurs, LSM reported. She suggested that Latvia could become a gateway to the European market for South Korea. Also, the two countries could cooperate on technology transfer in strategic industries, biotechnology, and biomedicine, Indriksone said. She noted that South Korea was…
Swedish media company Viaplay Group will exit the Baltic market as part of its cost-saving plans, ERR reports. Viaplay broadcasts entertainment and live sports, including matches from top European football leagues. Viaplay Group reported a net loss of SEK 6.174mn (EUR 534,000) in the first half of 2023.
Latvia’s gas distribution system operator, Gaso, has registered its change of ownership in the country’s commercial register, GlobeNewswire reports. Under a deal signed in April 2023, Estonian privately-owned gas company Eesti Gaas (Elenger) acquired 100% of Gaso’s shares from Latvian gas company Latvijas Gaze for EUR 122mn. Gaso is Latvia’s only natural gas distribution operator.
Annual inflation in the Baltic States was highest in Estonia in June 2023, according to Eurostat data, LETA reports. Estonia’s inflation rate stood at 9% in June 2023, followed by Lithuania with 8.2% and Latvia with 8.1%. Compared to May 2023, inflation amounted to 0.8% in Estonia. Meanwhile, consumer prices went down by 0.1% in…