Via Baltica
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Today's Top #News from the #Baltic States of #Estonia, #Latvia, and #Lithuania — Read Less, Know More @ https://viabaltica.fi
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Via Baltica
@viabaltica.bsky.social
· Mar 4
Read Less, Know More | Via Baltica
Welcome to Via Baltica, your "information superhighway" for up-to-date news from the three Baltic tigers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! Our editor is Kerkko Paananen, news analyst with more than t...
viabaltica.fi
Welcome to Via Baltica, your "information superhighway" for up-to-date #news from the three #Baltic tigers of #Estonia, #Latvia, and #Lithuania. Our editor is @kerkko.bsky.social.
— Read Less, Know More.
— Read Less, Know More.
The foreign #trade turnover of #Latvia totalled EUR 35.8bn in January-October 2025, which was up 5.9% on year, the Central Statistical Bureau reports. #Exports of goods amounted to EUR 16.4bn (up 4.3%) and #imports to EUR 19.4bn (up 7.3%).
Latvia: Exports up 4.3%, imports up 7.3% in 1-10/2025: statistics
Latvia’s foreign trade turnover totalled EUR 35.82bn at current prices in the first ten months of 2025, which was up 5.9% from the same period of 2024, according to provisional data from the Central…
viabaltica.fi
December 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
In #Estonia, the government's job approval was just 28% in November 2025, according to the latest Norstat #poll. PM Kristen Michal's job approval was even lower at just 18%.
Estonia: Government’s job approval 28% in November 2025: poll
The Estonian government’s job approval continued to be dismal in November 2025, according to the latest Norstat poll for the Institute for Societal Research (YI), ERR reports. Only 28%
viabaltica.fi
December 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Spending on R&D in the #Baltic States was highest in #Estonia in 2024, #Eurostat reported. Estonia's R&D expenditure amounted to 1.99% of #GDP, compared to 1.04% in #Lithuania and 0.92% in #Latvia.
Baltic: R&D spending highest in Estonia in 2024: Eurostat
Gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) in the Baltic States was highest in Estonia in 2024, according to Eurostat data, LSM reports. Estonia’s R&D spending stood at 1.99% of GDP…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
#Lithuania cannot agree to China's conditions on the Taiwanese Representative Office in #Vilnius, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief #foreignpolicy adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda, stated. She did not disclose whether #China had demanded that the de-facto embassy of #Taiwan be closed, however.
Lithuania: China’s conditions on Taiwanese office thwart ties: official
Lithuania cannot acquiesce to China’s conditions on the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief foreign policy adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda, stated, BNS reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
#Lithuania cannot agree to China's conditions on the Taiwanese Representative Office in #Vilnius, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief #foreignpolicy adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda, stated. She did not disclose whether #China had demanded that the de-facto embassy of #Taiwan be closed, however.
The Defence Ministry of #Latvia has announced details on planned #defence spending in 2026. Altogether EUR 1.14bn (53%) of the defence budget will go to buy new #military hardware for the Latvian National Armed Forces.
Latvia: Defence Ministry details spending plans for 2026
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence has announced details on its planned spending under the government’s defence budget in 2026, LSM reports. Latvia will spend a total of EUR 2.158bn on defence in 2026…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Estonia's ambassador to #Kazakhstan, Jaap Ora, has resigned after an uproar over Estonia's position on Russia's war against #Ukraine. Media reported that acting on Ora's advice, President Alar Karis of #Estonia had softened his statements on Ukraine during his state visit to Kazakhstan.
Estonia: Ambassador to Kazakhstan resigns amid uproar
Estonia’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Jaap Ora, has resigned after an uproar over Estonia’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine, ERR reports. Earlier, Eesti Ekspress reported that during the state…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Estonia's ambassador to #Kazakhstan, Jaap Ora, has resigned after an uproar over Estonia's position on Russia's war against #Ukraine. Media reported that acting on Ora's advice, President Alar Karis of #Estonia had softened his statements on Ukraine during his state visit to Kazakhstan.
#Belarus is holding 185 Lithuanian #trucks, Dovile Kraulaidiene, deputy director of the Customs Department of #Lithuania, announced. Earlier, the Lithuanian National Road Carriers Association provided much higher figures, claiming that as many as 4,000 #vehicles remained stuck in Belarus.
Lithuania: Belarus holding 185 Lithuanian trucks: Customs
Belarus is holding altogether 185 Lithuanian trucks and trailers, Dovile Kraulaidiene, deputy director general of the Lithuanian Customs Department (LMD), announced, BNS reports. Earlier…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
#Belarus is holding 185 Lithuanian #trucks, Dovile Kraulaidiene, deputy director of the Customs Department of #Lithuania, announced. Earlier, the Lithuanian National Road Carriers Association provided much higher figures, claiming that as many as 4,000 #vehicles remained stuck in Belarus.
An #influenza epidemic has begun in #Latvia, the Centre for #Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) announced. SPKC reminded that #vaccination was the best protection against influenza.
Latvia: Flu epidemic officially declared
An influenza epidemic has begun in Latvia, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) announced on 8 December 2025, LETA reports. According to data from the National Microbiology Reference…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
An #influenza epidemic has begun in #Latvia, the Centre for #Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) announced. SPKC reminded that #vaccination was the best protection against influenza.
The supervisory council of the public broadcasting company in #Estonia, ERR, has dismissed its chairman, Rein Veidemann. Earlier, Veidemann criticised ERR's interview of a same-sex couple with two children, saying that the TV programme violated the values of the majority of #Estonians.
Estonia: Council chair of public broadcaster dismissed amid row
The supervisory council of Estonia’s public broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), has dismissed its long-term chairman, Rein Veidemann, ERR reports. Earlier, Veidemann criticised an interview of...
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The supervisory council of the public broadcasting company in #Estonia, ERR, has dismissed its chairman, Rein Veidemann. Earlier, Veidemann criticised ERR's interview of a same-sex couple with two children, saying that the TV programme violated the values of the majority of #Estonians.
Thousands of people in #Lithuania rallied outside the parliament to #protest against planned changes to laws governing the country's public broadcaster, LRT. The protesters accused the #government of trying to take control of LRT.
Lithuania: Thousands rally to defend public broadcaster
Thousands of people gathered outside the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, on 9 December 2025 to protest against planned changes to the management of the country’s public broadcaster…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Thousands of people in #Lithuania rallied outside the parliament to #protest against planned changes to laws governing the country's public broadcaster, LRT. The protesters accused the #government of trying to take control of LRT.
The number of job #vacancies in #Latvia totalled 19,200 in Q3/2025, which was down 16.1% on year, the Central Statistical Bureau reported. The vacancy rate stood at 2.1%.
Latvia: Job vacancies down 16% in Q3/2025: statistics
The number of job vacancies in Latvia totalled 19,200 in the third quarter of 2025, which was 3,700 (16.1%) less than in the same period of 2024, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The number of job #vacancies in #Latvia totalled 19,200 in Q3/2025, which was down 16.1% on year, the Central Statistical Bureau reported. The vacancy rate stood at 2.1%.
The new chair of the city council of Estonia's second-largest city, #Tartu, Tõnis Lukas, has declined to join the council faction of his own party, Fatherland. He refused to be in same coalition with #socialmedia influencer Kris Kärner, who has made threatening comments about political opponents.
Estonia: Tartu city council chair rejects own party faction
The new chairman of the city council of Estonia’s second-largest city, Tartu, Tõnis Lukas, has declined to join the city council faction of his own party, Fatherland (Isamaa), ERR reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The new chair of the city council of Estonia's second-largest city, #Tartu, Tõnis Lukas, has declined to join the council faction of his own party, Fatherland. He refused to be in same coalition with #socialmedia influencer Kris Kärner, who has made threatening comments about political opponents.
#Baltic banking group Luminor has appointed Karl von Rohr as the new chair of the supervisory councils of Luminor Holding and Luminor #Bank as of 1 January 2026. Previously, von Rohr was management board member at Germany's Deutsche Bank.
Baltic: Luminor Bank appoints new supervisory council chair
Baltic financial group Luminor has appointed Karl von Rohr as the new chairman of the supervisory councils of Luminor Holding and Luminor Bank as of 1 January 2026, LSM reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The city council of Estonia's capital, #Tallinn, has elected Peeter Raudsepp of the national conservative Fatherland party as the city's new #mayor. He will serve in the post for two years, after which the mayorship will revert to the left-of-centre Estonian Centre Party.
Estonia: Tallinn city council elects new mayor
The city council of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, has elected Peeter Raudsepp of the national conservative Fatherland (Isamaa) party as the city’s new mayor, BNS reports. Prior to his election…
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The government in #Lithuania has declared a nationwide #emergency in response to repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from #Belarus. Also, the government proposed that the parliament grant the Lithuanian Armed Forces extended powers to assist law enforcement for three months.
Lithuania: Government declares emergency over smuggler balloons
The Lithuanian government has declared a nationwide emergency situation in response to repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from neighbouring Belarus into Lithuanian airspace, BNS reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 9, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The government in #Lithuania has declared a nationwide #emergency in response to repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from #Belarus. Also, the government proposed that the parliament grant the Lithuanian Armed Forces extended powers to assist law enforcement for three months.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braze of #Latvia is paying a working visit to the United States on 8-9 December 2025. She will meet with representatives of the US administration and Congress and have discussions at US #foreignpolicy think tanks.
Latvia: Foreign Minister on working visit to United States
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze is paying a working visit to the United States on 8-9 December 2025, LSM reports. She will meet with representatives of the US presidential administration and…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Foreign Minister Baiba Braze of #Latvia is paying a working visit to the United States on 8-9 December 2025. She will meet with representatives of the US administration and Congress and have discussions at US #foreignpolicy think tanks.
The profit share of non-financial corporations in the #Baltic States was highest in #Lithuania in 2024, #Eurostat reports. The #business profit share in Lithuania stood at 41.6%, followed by #Estonia with 40.0% and #Latvia with 35.6%.
Baltic: Business profit share highest in Lithuania in 2024: Eurostat
The profit share of non-financial corporations in the Baltic States was highest in Lithuania in 2024, according to Eurostat data, LSM reports. The profit share of non-financial corporations in…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The #Competition Council in #Lithuania has again postponed a deadline for Estonian #media group Ekspress Grupp to sell the Lithuanian #news website, lrytas.lt, to new owners. The council gave the group until 7 January 2026 to sell the #website.
Lithuania: Ekspress Grupp’s deadline to sell news site postponed again
Lithuania’s Competition Council has again postponed a deadline for the Estonian media group, Ekspress Grupp, to sell off the Lithuanian news website, lrytas.lt, to new owners, BNS reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The #Competition Council in #Lithuania has again postponed a deadline for Estonian #media group Ekspress Grupp to sell the Lithuanian #news website, lrytas.lt, to new owners. The council gave the group until 7 January 2026 to sell the #website.
The parliament in #Latvia will begin work on stricter #legislation against financial #fraud, Anda Caksa, chair of the parliament's budget and finance committee, announced. She said that mobile #telecom operators must block #spoofing calls and #socialmedia platforms must stop fraudulent #advertising.
Latvia: Parliament to discuss stricter regulation against financial fraud
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, will begin work on legislation to improve consumer protection against financial fraud, Anda Caksa, chairwoman of the parliament’s budget and finance committee…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The parliament in #Latvia will begin work on stricter #legislation against financial #fraud, Anda Caksa, chair of the parliament's budget and finance committee, announced. She said that mobile #telecom operators must block #spoofing calls and #socialmedia platforms must stop fraudulent #advertising.
#Europe has finally received the message from the US that it must take responsibility for its own #security, Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of the Foreign Ministry of #Estonia, said. On #Ukraine, Europe must stand firm behind the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, he insisted.
Estonia: Europe must stand firm in Ukraine: official
Europe has finally received the message, “loud and clear,” from successive US presidents that Europeans must take responsibility for their own security, Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of the…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The UN High Commissioner for #Refugees urges #Lithuania to review its #legislation allowing pushbacks of irregular #migrants at the #border with #Belarus. Also, #UNHCR called on Lithuania to stick to the EU's #Migration and #Asylum Pact.
Lithuania: UNHCR urges to end migrant pushbacks
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) urges Lithuania to reconsider its policy of turning back irregular migrants at the border with Belarus, BNS reports. Annika Sandlund…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The UN High Commissioner for #Refugees urges #Lithuania to review its #legislation allowing pushbacks of irregular #migrants at the #border with #Belarus. Also, #UNHCR called on Lithuania to stick to the EU's #Migration and #Asylum Pact.
The parliament in #Latvia has approved amendments to introduce a reduced 12% #VAT rate on selected #food products in 2026. The lower VAT rate will apply to various #bread products, #milk, #poultry #meat, and #eggs.
Latvia: Lower VAT on basic food products in 2026
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved amendments to introduce a reduced 12% value-added tax rate on selected basic food products in 2026, LETA reports. Under the amendments…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Ministry of Economy in #Estonia has announced a #procurement #tender for a consultant on a plan to build a 600-MW #nuclear power plant in the country. The project is being developed by privately-owned Fermi Energia.
Estonia: Call for consultant on nuclear plant project
Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has announced a procurement tender for a consultant to plan a 600-MW nuclear power plant in the country, ERR reports. Under the contract…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Ministry of Economy in #Estonia has announced a #procurement #tender for a consultant on a plan to build a 600-MW #nuclear power plant in the country. The project is being developed by privately-owned Fermi Energia.
#Lithuania may suspend regular bus routes to #Belarus and #Russia, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced. He said that any decision should be coordinated regionally.
Lithuania: Interior Minister suggests stopping buses to Belarus, Russia
Lithuania may suspend regular passenger services to neighbouring Belarus and Russia, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic stated, BNS reports. He said that such a measure was “definitely worth…
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
#Lithuania may suspend regular bus routes to #Belarus and #Russia, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced. He said that any decision should be coordinated regionally.
The average level of consumer #prices in #Latvia rose by 3.8% on year in November 2025, the Central Statistical Bureau reported. Compared to October 2025, consumer prices fell by 0.3%, however.
Latvia: Annual inflation 3.8% in November 2025: statistics
The average level of consumer prices in Latvia rose by 3.8% in November 2025, compared to the same period of 2024, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM