Economy
Latvia
Energy
Lithuania’s energy minister concerned about gas market liberalization in Latvia
Lithuania is already in a position to supply gas to Latvia and Estonia, however, Latvia’s stance, which remains unclear, raises concerns about free supply of gas to the Baltic countries, energy minister has said, adding that Latvia has assured that it will guarantee the implementation of the European Union’s (EU) Third Energy Package. […]
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Ball in Latvia’s court after Lithuania’s LNG terminal officially launched operations
Lithuania’s 500-million-litas (EUR 145m) liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which is the country’s first alternative to Russian gas supplies and which the government believes could become a regional terminal, is officially launching operations on Wednesday, but Latvia and Estonia will have to wait until they are able to make use of its full potential. […]
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Lithuanian president: Jets near Baltic air-space are sign of Russian stupidity, not power
The increasingly frequent Russian provocations by flying its military jets close to the Baltic air-space shows “stupidity, not power,” says Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. […]
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Lithuania’s Grybauskaitė stresses importance of defence and energy cooperation in meeting with Baltic-Polish presidents
Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with her Latvian, Estonian and Polish counterparts in Tallinn on Tuesday, where she discussed the importance of long-term collective defence instruments and energy projects. […]
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Latvia’s new parliament speaker chooses Lithuania for her first foreign trip
The new speaker of the Latvian Saeima (parliament), Inara Murniece, says she chose Lithuania for her first foreign visit because of common history and cultural ties. […]
Energy
Baltic politicians to pick up discussions on nuclear power plant, Lithuanian parliament speaker says
A discussion between the three Baltic countries on going forward with a new nuclear power plant project in Visaginas, Lithuania, will soon move to a political level, Lithuania’s parliamentary speaker has said. […]
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Pro-Russian activity raises concerns in Latvia
A reported uptick in pro-Russian activity in the eastern Latvian region of Latgale highlights Riga’s concerns about Russia, particularly in light of the standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine. Although the potential for serious pro-Russian separatist activity to materialize is much lower in Latvia than it was in Ukraine, Moscow still represents a threat to Riga, as demonstrated in a Nov. 18 report of Russian military planes flying near Latvian airspace and territorial waters. Because Latvia supports the pro-Western government in Ukraine and is courting a greater security commitment from NATO, Russia will likely maintain pressure on the small but strategic Baltic country through Russian-speaking communities and other means. […]
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Foreign affairs
Lithuania, Latvia, UK and Hungary to set up EU Eastern Partnership defence fund
Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom and Hungary will set up a fund to finance the participation of EU Eastern Partnership countries in international military missions, exercises and other training events. […]
Lithuanian leaders congratulate Latvia on Independence Day
President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to President Andris Berzins of the Republic of Latvia on the occasion of national holiday – Independence Day, the presidential press service said. […]
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Lithuanian parliament speaker says Latvia’s foreign minister should have come out to voters before elections
Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament leader of the Labour party Loreta Graužinienė has said that Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, who had come out publicly as gay last week, should have disclosed his sexual orientation prior to assuming the post. […]
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Baltic and Nordic defence ministers discuss joint capacities
Lithuania’s Defense Minister Juozas Olekas is visiting Norway on Wednesday to meet with his Nordic and Baltic colleagues for a discussion of initiative to step up the Nordic and Baltic anti-crisis capacities. […]
Defence
Baltic battalion to join NATO rapid response force in 2016
The chiefs of defence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have agreed to send a joint battalion of around 1,000 troops for standby to join NATO’s rapid response force in 2016. […]
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Northern Future Forum discusses innovative business training and Britain’s drive to reform EU
Northern Future Forum (NFF) took place on 6 and 7 November in Helsinki. The Prime Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb, had invited the prime ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom to discuss educational competitiveness, and promote innovative business activities. […]
Economy
Lithuanian economy to grow fastest in Baltics in 2014-2015
According to the latest EU economic growth report of the European Commission, Lithuania will see the fastest growth in the Baltics in 2014 and 2015. […]
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Lithuanian foreign minister and human rights activist greet Latvian foreign minister’s coming out
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics came out as gay on Thursday, stirring reactions across the Baltics. Lithuanian foreign minister congratulated his colleague, while a human rights activist says the step could encourage change in Lithuania as well. […]
