Estonia: Ministry to ensure use of Estonian in public administration

Estonia’s Ministry of Education and Research is seeking to amend legislation to better regulate the administrative language of municipalities and universities, ensuring that dealing with the entities does not require the use of a foreign language, ERR reports. The amendment would enforce existing requirements for municipalities to conduct administrative affairs in Estonian, addressing instances where…

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Latvia: E-cigarette maker contests constitutionality of sales ban

Latvian electronic cigarette manufacturer Pro Vape, which operates under the Salt brand, has challenged upcoming restrictions on flavoured electronic smoking devices before Latvia’s Constitutional Court, LETA reports. The amendments will ban the sale of flavoured electronic smoking device liquids and tobacco substitute products as of 2025. Pro Vape argues that the restrictions infringe on property…

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Lithuania: Government may fast-track Rheinmetall ammo plant

The Lithuanian government is set to grant special status to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall’s planned artillery ammunition factory in Radviliskis, BNS reports. The move would allow the company to begin building the factory without the usual regulatory permits, which will need to be obtained before the project’s completion, however. Construction is expected to start in…

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Lithuania: Cars with Russian plates must leave by 11 March 2024

Vehicles with Russian licence plates will have to be entered into Lithuania’s national vehicle register or leave the country by 11 March 2024, the Lithuanian Customs Department (LRM) announced, ERR reports. Drivers violating the new rule risk fines and having their vehicles confiscated. Exceptions apply to vehicles transiting via Lithuania to or from Russia’s Kaliningrad…

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Lithuania: Number of stateless people now under 2,300

Lithuania has altogether 2,266 stateless residents, of whom 2,151 have permanent residence permits, according to data from the Lithuanian Migration Department (LMD), LRT reports. In 2018, the number of stateless people totalled 3,193. Most of the stateless residents are persons who failed to apply for citizenship after Lithuania regained its independence in 1991. Stateless persons…

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Lithuania: Some trucks checked in farmer protest on Polish border

Polish farmers are holding a week-long protest at the Lithuanian border, collaborating with authorities to check incoming trucks for Ukrainian grain, BNS reports. While some trucks have been diverted for inspection, most vehicles are being allowed to flow freely and no traffic jams have occurred. The farmers allege that Ukrainian grain is being falsely labelled…

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