Latvia’s new president, Edgars Rinkevics, addressed the participants of the closing ceremony of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Riga on 9 July 2023, LSM reports. Speaking to the “wise, capable, and tenacious Latvian people,” Rinkevics noted that the festival has allowed people from all across Latvia to reaffirm each generation’s loyalty to their…
Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is visiting Latvia on 10 July 2023 en route to the NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, LSM reports. He will meet with several Latvian officials and hold a joint press conference with Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins. Trudeau promised to more than double the size of Canada’s contribution to…
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has signed an agreement with Latvian capital Riga’s heating supplier, Rigas Siltums, on a ten-year loan of EUR 20mn, LSM reports. Rigas Siltums will use the funds to finance its 2022-2023 investment programme to improve the district heating infrastructure in Riga. The company will invest a total of EUR 29mn…
Latvia’s new president, Edgars Rinkevics, held his inauguration speech in the Latvian parliament, the Saeima, outlining his vision of a “strong, modern, just, and safe” Latvia, on 8 July 2023, LSM reports. The President noted that Latvia was one, yet not homogenous, and stressed that the rights of every person must be protected. Latvia’s biggest…
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence has dismissed a third official implicated in a scandalous food procurement contract for the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), LETA reports. The official in question worked at the NBS. Earlier, the ministry dismissed Eriks Ezerins, head of the procurement commission, and Imants Freibergs, head of procurement and contracts at the NBS…
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assigned Category 1 country designation to Latvia following an audit of the Latvian Civil Aviation Agency (CAA), LSM reports. FAA ascertained that Latvia’s civil aviation regulation and CAA’s supervisory activities complied with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The FAA decision allows Latvian airlines to…
May and June 2023 were exceptionally dry in Latvia, LETA reports. Average daily rainfall in May 2023 amounted to 12.2 mm, which was just 24% of the monthly norm, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC). May 2023 was thus the driest May ever since data began to be recorded…
The speakers of national parliaments of the Baltic States, Poland, and Ukraine will meet in Latvia’s capital, Riga, on 9-10 July 2023, LSM reports. The speakers will discuss political and practical assistance to Ukraine, including support for the country’s membership of the EU and NATO. The speakers plan to adopt a joint statement at the…
Latvia’s Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) plans to clarify the future of the current ruling coalition by the middle of August 2023, before the start of next year’s budget talks, LSM reports. Karins said that summer was a “time of silence,” and that he would use the time to ascertain whether the coalition government…