Lithuania should not censor everything related to Russian culture, the country’s incoming culture minister, Sarunas Birutis, stated, LRT reports. Speaking in an interview with ELTA, Birutis insisted that the “Russian nation was not the same as the Kremlin.” He pointed out that Russians had been neighbours to Lithuanians “for millennia” and would continue to be…
The draft programme of Lithuania’s incoming government calls China a “growing challenge” for foreign and security policy, BNS reports. The programme sees China’s strategic partnership with Russia and growing influence in Belarus as a threat. The new coalition pledges to work for a united approach towards China with Lithuania’s European and transatlantic partners. Also, the…
The only workable guarantee of security for Ukraine is NATO membership, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated, Interfax-Ukraine reports. He said that NATO membership would not only ensure Ukraine’s own security, but would also help build the European security architecture. Tsahkna called for more military support for Ukraine, saying that it was NATO’s duty to…
Baltic and Canadian foreign ministers met in the Latvian capital, Riga, on 2 December 2024, European Interest reported. The ministers discussed transatlantic relations as well as regional and global security and cooperation. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze stressed that containing Russia and providing strong support to Ukraine were essential for the long-term interests of transatlantic…
Estonian transmission system operator Elering’s frequency reserve tender has attracted interest from both local and international participants, ERR reports. The tender is aimed at providing price certainty in the frequency reserve market as Estonia will withdraw from the Russian electricity system in February 2025. The total capacity to be awarded under the tender will amount…
The Latvian government will invest an additional EUR 47mn in the state-owned railway company, Latvijas Dzelzcels (LDz), LSM reports. The capital will allow the company to pay all its tax debts and some outstanding bills for services. The state has invested EUR 95.6mn in LDz since 2020 to prop up the company’s finances. LDz has…
Latvia approved 30 applications for investor visas and 53 dependent visas under its so-called golden visa programme in the first half of 2024, Investment Migration Insider reports. The biggest number of approved applications were submitted by Chinese (11) and Turkish (7) nationals. The EUR 50,000 business investment option accounted for 22 and real estate investments…
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, is visiting Latvia on 1-4 December 2024 to attend the second 3+1 meeting of Baltic and Canadian foreign ministers, Global Affairs Canada announced. The ministers will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in Eastern Europe, and other regional and global challenges to peace and security. Joly…
Trucks crossing Lithuania’s borders with Belarus and Russia will have to register in advance as of 1 December 2024, BNS reports. Drivers of heavy duty vehicles must now pre-register on the online booking system (EVIS) to cross the border through the remaining three checkpoints on the borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region. The new…
