International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Friday, 30.01.2015, 00:23
Latvia offers Finland to become shareholder in Rail Baltica joint venture
29.01.2015Latvian Transport Minister Anrijs Matiss (Unity) has invited Finland to take active part in implementation of the standard-gauge railroad Rail Baltica project and in the work of the Rail Baltica joint venture, taking into consideration the project's importance for the entire Nordic-Baltic region, LETA learned from the Transport Ministry.
Keyword tags: EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Railways, Transport
MEP calls to protect Lithuanian road carriers
29.01.2015Member of the European Parliament Valentinas Mazuronis together with Slovakian MEP Richard Sulik have asked to include in the European Parliament's plenary sitting agenda the issue of Germany's protectionist actions limiting competition between road carriers, informs LETA/ELTA.
Latvian Revenue Service: situation at Gan Bei improving
29.01.2015In an interview on Latvian Television this morning, State Revenue Service General Director Inara Petersone said that during her discussions with the management of the Gan Bei restaurant chain this week, she believes that the company has realized its mistakes and would like to continue work, informs LETA.
Protecting yield and environment: Commission’s list of pesticides
29.01.2015Pesticides are mainly used in agricultural production to keep crops healthy and prevent them from being destroyed by pests and diseases. Commission proposed a substitution for some pesticides that would protect yield and consumers’ health.
Heat prices to fall by one fifth, once Vilnius, Kaunas heat sectors are reformed
29.01.2015The price of heat should fall by a fifth, after heat sector reform in Vilnius and Kaunas is completed and biofuel, natural gas and waste-fired combined heat and power plants are opened, reports LETA/ELTA.
Basic European right to free movement under threat
On 27 January 2015, the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Europeans Throughout The World (ETTW) jointly organised a conference entitled "Basic European Right to Free Movement Under Threat", reports BC Latvian MFA.
Estonian government approved of pension increase
The Estonian government approved at its Thursday meeting of the state pension index value for the year 2015, as the result of which, the average increase of pensions from 1 April 2015 is 6.3%, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports.
Riga hosts international event on women’s empowerment
On 2 March, 2015, an international conference entitled “Post-2015 and Beijing+20: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Development – the Synthesis for Success” will take place in the National Library of Latvia, reported BC the Latvian Institute.
PACE extends sanctions against Russian delegation
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has extended sanctions against Russia until a plenary session in April 2015. The sanctions include suspension of voting rights, participation in standing committees and monitoring of elections as part of PACE delegations, reports LETA/ELTA.
Estonian dairy farmers liquidate up to 8% of dairy cattle
By now around 25 Estonian milk producers have announced that they intend to completely or partially close their farms, concerning a total of 3,500-8,000 cows or 3-8% of the Estonian dairy cattle, due to the tense situation at the market, LETA/Eesti Päevaleht writes.
Bilateral cooperation plan 2015 of Lithuania and Ukraine endorsed in Kiev
On 28 January, Lithuania's Deputy Minister of National Defence Marijus Velicka and Lieutenant General Leonid Holopatiuk, deputy defence minister of Ukraine, signed the Bilateral Cooperation Plan 2015 of Lithuania and Ukraine during Velicka's visit in Kiev, Lithuania's ministry reported LETA/ELTA.
Security Police probing picture circulating on Internet promoting idea of ''Latgale people's republic''
The Security Police in Latvia have begun a probe into a picture circulating on the Internet promoting the idea of a ''Latgale people's republic'', LETA found out from the Security Police.
Estonian Riigikogu fails to approve bill restricting consumer credit cost
The bill, which would have set restrictions on the consumer credit annual percentage rate and limited the use of arbitration courts, surprisingly failed on Wednesday in the Estonian Riigikogu, LETA/Postimees Online reports.
Lithuania's PM: no need for old car taxes
The Government of Lithuania for the meantime does not see any need to introduce the so called ecology tax on old vehicles, says Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, reports LETA/ELTA.
Latvian Saeima committee approves 9% microenterprise tax rate for new companies
Following lengthy debates, the Saeima Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee in Latvia approved in principle a draft bill which sets the microenterprise tax rate at 9% in the first three years since the company's registration, reports LETA.
Quantitative easing in Europe: effect for Baltics’ economy 
