Other events in Baltic States

Latvia will not take part in the NATO military exercise in Georgia, which will take place from May 6 till June 1.

Airis Rikveilis, the head of the Latvian defense minister's office, told BNS that Latvia does not plan to participate in this exercise and the issue has ben been discussed with Latvian officials.

"The situation is that we cannot send any additional people there. The military exercise plan has already been approved and this exercise is not in the plan," he said, adding that the financial situation is not the reason this time.

NATO military exercise in Georgia will be held to promote cooperation between NATO and its partner countries. There will be about 1,300 participants from 19 countries, including NATO members and partners.

Russia has sharply objected the exercise, calling it a provocation.

Georgia is not a NATO member. In April 2008, during NATO Bucharest Summit, the alliance rejected the request of Georgia and Ukraine to issue the status of candidate countries to them, but underscored that both countries have a future in the alliance. Russia is against both countries joining the alliance.

The relations between Moscow and NATO deteriorated after the Russian-Georgian military conflict in August 2008.