International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analyticsMonday, 06.09.2010, 12:28
European Commission sets out criteria for clean marine environment
03.09.2010Europe is surrounded by seas; it makes the task of clean marine environment a Union’s priority. The European Commission after long discussions outlined the criteria necessary to achieve good environmental status for Europe's seas. This will help Member States to develop coordinated marine strategies within each regional sea, ensuring consistency and allowing progress to be compared between regions.
Keyword tags: Ecology, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Transport
High-potential investment project offered for sale – oil terminal in Liepaja
03.09.2010Law office INLAT PLUS offers for sale a company, which is carrying out the construction of the terminal for oil products transshipment and storage located in the special economic zone with the territory of 130 thousands sq.m.
Fee for applications to ESTA for Latvians to be introduced September 8
03.09.2010Latvian citizens can apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program free of charge until September 7. A fee for applications to ESTA will be introduced on September 8 for all travelers from any country planning to use the Visa Waiver Program, including Latvian citizens currently holding a red passport, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riga informed LETA.
Estonian youth organisations demand swift action over youth unemployment
02.09.2010The Estonian Association of Youth Organisations, Estonian Association of Student Representative Boards and the Estonian Association of Student Councils (E3) issued a joint statement, expressing concern over high unemployment rate in Estonia, writes LETA/Delfi.ee.
Estonia: economic interests prevailed over the environment in the Nord Stream case
02.09.2010The Vaasa Administrative Court decided on Thursday not to grant the Estonian and Finnish environmental organisations’ challenge over the permits issued for building the Nord Stream gas pipe, writes LETA/Postimees Online.
Skele: digital television criminal case in Latvia is too politicized
The digital television criminal case is too politicized, said People's Party leader Andris Skele today during his first appearance as a witness in the case. He revealed that he did not envy the court that would have to pass judgement on the case. Skele said that too much time had gone past for him to be able to remember the events clearly.
Tallinn turned to court over the new law on schools
The City of Tallinn turned to the Tallinn Administrative Court with the claim against the Ministry of Education and Science in the case concerning the implementation of the new Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, writes LETA/Postimees Online.
Latvian politicians promise not to increase taxes, but intend to change tax system
Representatives of Latvian leading political parties standing in autumn's 10th Saeima elections in 2010 promise not to increase the overall tax burden; however, the parties intend to make internal changes to the tax system, in order to move the tax burden from labor onto consumption.
Estonian MFA found no evidence of its former diplomat having unlawfully issued visas
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs completed on Wednesday the internal investigation on former charge d’affaires in Belarus Harry Lahtein and found no confirmation to allegations as if he had unlawfully issued visas, writes LETA/Postimees Online.
Finland’s Vaasa Administrative Court decision rejects appeals on the water permit for Nord Stream
Finland’s Vaasa Administrative Court has ruled on the appeals made against the Water Permit in Finland. According to the Court decision, the three appeals against the decision of the Finnish permit authority to grant the Water Permit concerning Nord Stream have been rejected.
Latvian Saeima rejects suggestion to introduce compulsory Bible study classes in schools
The Saeima today rejected a suggestion by For A Good Latvia to introduce compulsory Bible study classes in schools.
Agricultural census starts in Estonia
According to Statistics Estonia, the Agricultural Census is conducted in Estonia from 1 September to 15 November, in the course of which the data on agricultural production will be collected from nearly 30,000 holdings. For the first time it is possible to participate in the census also via Internet.
Competition Board won’t allow Eesti Energia to raise grid fees
The Estonian Competition Board announced that it rejected on Wednesday the application of Estonian state-owned energy giant Eesti Energia’s distribution grid managing subsidiary OÜ Jaotusvõrk to raise network fees by nearly 20%, Estonian press reports.
Riga councilmen support allocation of additional LVL 1 mln for social benefits
Yesterday, deputies from the Riga City Council's Committee on Social Issues supported the allocation of additional LVL 1 million for social benefits.
Unemployment insurance tax to stay high in Estonia
In coming months already Estonian minister of social affairs Hanno Pevkur will present to the government a proposal for amending the law so that the Unemployment Insurance Fund could use the social insurance tax revenue for re-training unemployed persons and for paying pay subsidies, LETA/Eesti Päevaleht writes.
Updating the Nordic-Baltic cooperation 
