Estonia’s exports of services totalled EUR 3.2bn in the third quarter of 2024, which was up 8% from the same period of 2023, according to data from Statistics Estonia and the Bank of Estonia, ERR reports. Imports of services into Estonia totalled EUR 2.4bn, which was up 2% over a year. Estonia’s trade surplus in…
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…
The crash of Spanish air carrier Swiftair’s cargo plane in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on 25 November 2024 may have been caused by a technical fault or pilot error, LRT reports. One crew member perished in the incident. Surviving crew members had no indication of foul play, and investigators have found no evidence of terrorism….
The chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, Marko Mihkelson, urged South Korea to consider stronger support for Ukraine, including military assistance, The Korea Herald reports. If Russia prevails in its war of aggression against Ukraine, the stability and security situation will worsen not only in Europe but also in…
A public petition in Latvia is collecting signatures to restrict or ban US entrepreneur Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (former Twitter), in Latvia, BNS reports. The author of the legislative initiative, Gvido Grava, notes that an increasing volume of disinformation is being spread on X. He points out that X fails to comply with…
The US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has removed Latvia’s ABLV Bank from its list of financial institutions posing a risk of money laundering, LSM reports. The European Central Bank revoked ABLV’s banking licence in 2018 after FinCEN added the bank to the list. ABLV’s liquidation is now nearly complete, and the bank…
Estonia and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in countering information manipulation, ERR reports. The memorandum stresses the importance of media freedom in protecting the information space. Estonian state secretary Taimar Peterkop said that Estonia could share with allies its experience in dealing with Russian information attacks. The US has signed…
The Lithuanian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with US defence contractor Northrop Grumman on strengthening Lithuania’s defence industry, BNS reports. The memorandum focuses on the development, production, and supply of medium-calibre ammunition. Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that the aim was to start producing ammunition in Lithuania within 18 months. Northrop Grumman plans…
Lithuania is seeking continuous presence of US combat troops in the country, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election, President Gitanas Nauseda stated, BNS reports. Speaking after visiting US troops at the Pabrade training area near Vilnius, Nauseda noted that the base would soon be able to accommodate about 1,000 US troops. At…