Other events in Baltic States

Riga's Basteja Boulevard was officially renamed Zigfrids Anna Meierovics Boulevard (Zigfrida Anna Meierovica bulvaris) yesterday as the previous street name signs were taken down and replaced with new ones.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins (People's Party) expressed regret to members of the press because many people have been skeptical on the renaming of the boulevard, and many younger people do not even know the name of Latvia's first foreign minister.

The minister did, however, express satisfaction that his proposal has received support. ''I do not believe that Mr.Bastejs will be offended,'' Riekstins joked.

As reported, the Riga City Council decided to rename Basteja Boulevard after Latvia's first Foreign Affairs Minister Zigfrids Anna Meierovics. 34 deputies voted for the decision.

The street, near the Freedom Monument, once bore Meierovics' name – from 1929 to 1941.

According to a recent public opinion survey, 79.2% of Riga residents disapproved of the proposal to rename Basteja Boulevard.