Türkiye’s application to join the BRICS group undermines trust in the country, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, BNS reports. He pointed to questions on how to reconcile positions within NATO between countries that support Ukraine and those that are pro-Russian. “All this undermines trust,” he added. Meanwhile, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief foreign policy adviser to…
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved the nomination of former prime minister, MEP Andrius Kubilius for Lithuania’s EU commissioner, BNS reports. Altogether 70 MPs voted in favour and 24 against, while 15 abstained. Kubilius said that Lithuania should seek portfolios related to defence, security, and EU enlargement in the new European Commission. He noted…
The Estonian-Finnish undersea power cable, EstLink 2, will resume operations after repairs on 4 September 2024, BNS reports. The power interconnection was shut down due to a fault in late January 2024. The repairs involved replacing around 300 metres of cable and connection joints. Shore reinforcement and surface works and removal of temporary structures will…
China’s Special Representative on European Affairs, Wu Hongbo, has paid a visit to Latvia, LETA reports. Wu met with Dace Melbarde, parliamentary secretary of Latvia’s Foreign Ministry, and Katarina Platere, head of the ministry’s bilateral relations directorate. The officials discussed bilateral dialogue, cooperation in specific sectors and international organisations, and regional security. The Foreign Ministry…
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, chairman of the ruling Homeland Union, would make an excellent European commissioner, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Info TV, Simonyte stopped short of confirming that Landsbergis was among the candidates for the position, noting that negotiations were still ongoing. President Gitanas Nauseda expects…
The minimum gross monthly wage in Lithuania may exceed EUR 1,000 in 2025, Social Security and Labour Minister Monika Navickiene forecast, BNS reported. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Navickiene assured that the minimum wage would definitely surpass the poverty risk threshold. Lithuania’s Tripartite Council is still in talks on the minimum wage hike…
The free world must not fear its own strength, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas insisted, BNS reported. Speaking at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Kallas pointed out that the free world was stronger than Russia and had the resources, economic power, and knowledge to help Ukraine win the war against the…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics expressed pride and happiness on the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence, LETA reported. He noted that a new generation had since grown up that only learned about authoritarianism in history books. However, Rinkevics reminded that freedom was not self-evident. He thanked the members of Latvia’s Supreme Council who…
The prime ministers of the three Baltic States will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on 6 May 2024 in the Latvian capital, Riga, LETA reports. The meeting will focus on security and defence, EU affairs, support for Ukraine, economic cooperation, and regional energy and transport projects. According to Latvia’s State Chancellery, Baltic leaders have…