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.
#Tallinn Airport in #Estonia will expand its passenger terminal to be able to handle up to 5.5 million passengers per year by 2030. The expansion project, costing an estimated EUR 75mn, will be the airport's largest #investment ever.
Estonia: Tallinn Airport to expand passenger terminal
Estonia’s Tallinn Airport will expand its passenger terminal by building around 16,500 m2 of new premises, BNS reports. In addition, the airport will reconstruct over 18,000 m2 of existing areas in…
viabaltica.fi
December 4, 2025 at 12:33 PM
#Tallinn Airport in #Estonia will expand its passenger terminal to be able to handle up to 5.5 million passengers per year by 2030. The expansion project, costing an estimated EUR 75mn, will be the airport's largest #investment ever.
The parliament in #Latvia has approved draft laws accompanying the state #budget for 2026. The government's budget priorities are national #security, support for #families with #children, and high-quality #education.
Latvia: Parliament begins discussing state budget for 2026
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved in final reading draft laws accompanying the state budget for 2026, LETA reports. MPs will now begin discussing the draft budget.
viabaltica.fi
December 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A court in #Lithuania has found MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, leader of the far-right Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA) party, guilty of antisemitic #hatespeech. PPNA is part of the current coalition #government. Zemaitaitis vowed to appeal.
Lithuania: Far-right leader found guilty of antisemitic hate speech
Lithuania’s Vilnius Regional Court has found MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, leader of the far-right Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA) party, guilty of antisemitic hate speech, BNS reports. The court stated that…
viabaltica.fi
December 4, 2025 at 11:53 AM
A court in #Lithuania has found MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, leader of the far-right Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA) party, guilty of antisemitic #hatespeech. PPNA is part of the current coalition #government. Zemaitaitis vowed to appeal.
#Lithuania recorded the biggest increase and #Estonia the largest decrease in net #electricity generation in the EU over 2013-2023, according to Eurostat #data. At the same time, household electricity #consumption rose sharply in Lithuania, was almost flat in Estonia, and fell slightly in #Latvia.
Baltic: Electricity output soared in Lithuania, cratered in Estonia in ten years
Lithuania recorded the largest increase in net electricity generation in the EU over 2013-2023, according to data from Eurostat, LSM reports. Lithuania’s net electricity production rose by 28.2%
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 9:19 PM
#Lithuania recorded the biggest increase and #Estonia the largest decrease in net #electricity generation in the EU over 2013-2023, according to Eurostat #data. At the same time, household electricity #consumption rose sharply in Lithuania, was almost flat in Estonia, and fell slightly in #Latvia.
#Gender equality in #Lithuania improved in 2025, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality's Gender #Equality Index. Lithuania ranked 14th out of 27 EU member states, which was up from 16th place in 2024.
Lithuania: Gender equality improved in 2025: report
Gender equality in Lithuania improved in 2025, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality’s (EIGE) Gender Equality Index, BNS reports. Lithuania ranked 14th out of 27 EU member states…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 8:44 PM
#Gender equality in #Lithuania improved in 2025, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality's Gender #Equality Index. Lithuania ranked 14th out of 27 EU member states, which was up from 16th place in 2024.
Swedish-owned #IKEA Group has received #competition clearance to acquire Swedish-owned forestry group Södra's #forest land in #Estonia. Under the deal, IKEA Group's subsidiary, Ingka #Investments, will buy Södra's forests in Estonia and #Latvia for EUR 720mn.
Estonia: IKEA Group gets go-ahead to buy Södra’s forests
Swedish-owned IKEA Group has received permission from the Estonian Competition Authority (Konkurentsiamet) to acquire 18,000 hectares of forest from Swedish-owned Södra Forest Estonia, ERR reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Swedish-owned #IKEA Group has received #competition clearance to acquire Swedish-owned forestry group Södra's #forest land in #Estonia. Under the deal, IKEA Group's subsidiary, Ingka #Investments, will buy Södra's forests in Estonia and #Latvia for EUR 720mn.
The government in #Lithuania may declare an #emergency due to the #security threat posed by smuggler balloons launched from #Belarus, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced. Opposition leaders criticised the government for weakness in responding to the balloon incursions.
Lithuania: Government may declare emergency over smuggler balloons
The Lithuanian government may declare an emergency due to the growing security threat posed by smuggler balloons launched from neighbouring Belarus, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The government in #Lithuania may declare an #emergency due to the #security threat posed by smuggler balloons launched from #Belarus, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced. Opposition leaders criticised the government for weakness in responding to the balloon incursions.
Latvia's State Real Estate (VNI) plans to complete the #construction of a #security fence along the full stretch of the country's #border with #Russia by the end of 2025. VNI finished building a fence on the #Belarus border in July 2024.
Latvia: Russia border fence to be completed by end of 2025
Latvia’s state real estate management company, Valsts Nekustamie Ipasumi (VNI), plans to complete the construction of a fence along the full stretch of the country’s border with Russia by the end of…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Latvia's State Real Estate (VNI) plans to complete the #construction of a #security fence along the full stretch of the country's #border with #Russia by the end of 2025. VNI finished building a fence on the #Belarus border in July 2024.
In #Estonia, state-owned postal services provider Omniva (Eesti Post) will nearly halve the number of #post offices in 2026. At the same time, the company will greatly expand its network of automated parcel terminals.
Estonia: Omniva to halve number of post offices in 2026
Estonia’s state-owned postal services provider, Omniva (Eesti Post), plans to nearly halve the number of post offices nationwide in 2026, ERR reports. The company will cut the number of post offices…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
#Lithuania has decided to accept half of allocated #migrants and pay for the rest under the EU's #migration and #asylum pact. PM Inga Ruginiene said that the government would seek to lower the number of accepted migrants to no more than 40.
Lithuania: Government decides to take in half of EU-allocated migrants
The Lithuanian government has decided to accept half of allocated migrants into the country and pay for the remainder under the EU’s migration and asylum pact, the Ministry of Interior announced…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
#Lithuania has decided to accept half of allocated #migrants and pay for the rest under the EU's #migration and #asylum pact. PM Inga Ruginiene said that the government would seek to lower the number of accepted migrants to no more than 40.
The parliament in #Latvia has approved amendments to cut state support for #refugees from #Ukraine in 2026. The government will stop paying support to #Ukrainians who have found employment. There are over 31,000 Ukrainian citizens, including almost 7,000 children, registered in Latvia.
Latvia: Government to cut support for Ukrainian refugees in 2026
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved amendments reducing state support for Ukrainian refugees in Latvia, LSM reports. The government will allocate EUR 39.7mn of budget funds to support…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The parliament in #Latvia has approved amendments to cut state support for #refugees from #Ukraine in 2026. The government will stop paying support to #Ukrainians who have found employment. There are over 31,000 Ukrainian citizens, including almost 7,000 children, registered in Latvia.
The opposition Fatherland party remained the most popular political party in #Estonia in November 2025, according to Norstat's latest #poll. Fatherland's support is now at 29.1%. The ruling coalition has just 12.6% support, whereas overall support for opposition #parties stands at 78.1%.
Estonia: Only 12.6% of voters support ruling coalition: poll
Estonia’s opposition party, national conservative Fatherland (Isamaa), remained the country’s most popular political party in November 2025, according to Norstat’s poll for the Institute for Societal…
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The average monthly gross #wage in #Lithuania amounted to EUR 2,427.6 in Q3/2025, which was up 8.5% on year, the State #Data Agency reported. Compared to Q2/2025, the average wage rose by 1.7%. Average #wages rose in all municipalities.
Lithuania: Average wage up 8.5% on year in Q3/2025: statistics
The average monthly gross wage in Lithuania amounted to EUR 2,427.6 in the third quarter of 2025, which was up 8.5% from the same period of 2024, the State Data Agency (VDA) reported.
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The average monthly gross #wage in #Lithuania amounted to EUR 2,427.6 in Q3/2025, which was up 8.5% on year, the State #Data Agency reported. Compared to Q2/2025, the average wage rose by 1.7%. Average #wages rose in all municipalities.
Consumers in #Latvia are not buying homes due to high #prices, insufficient funds, and economic uncertainty, according to a Norstat #survey for Luminor #Bank in September 2025. The survey showed that 27% of Latvian residents cited high #realestate prices as the main obstacle to purchasing a home.
Latvia: Latvians not buying homes due to high prices: survey
Latvians are not buying homes due to high prices, insufficient savings and income, and economic uncertainty, according to a Norstat survey carried out for Luminor Bank in September 2025, LSM reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Consumers in #Latvia are not buying homes due to high #prices, insufficient funds, and economic uncertainty, according to a Norstat #survey for Luminor #Bank in September 2025. The survey showed that 27% of Latvian residents cited high #realestate prices as the main obstacle to purchasing a home.
The harmonised index of consumer #prices (HICP) in #Estonia rose by 4.7% on year in November 2025, according to #Statistics Estonia's flash estimate. Compared to October 2025, the #HICP fell by 0.5%, however.
Estonia: Annual inflation rate 4.7% in November 2025: flash estimate
Estonia’s harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) rose by 4.7% on year in November 2025, according to Statistics Estonia’s flash estimate, ERR reports. Compared to October 2025, the HICP fell by 0.
viabaltica.fi
December 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The harmonised index of consumer #prices (HICP) in #Estonia rose by 4.7% on year in November 2025, according to #Statistics Estonia's flash estimate. Compared to October 2025, the #HICP fell by 0.5%, however.
#Lithuania does not oppose the European Commission's decision to withdraw a #WTO case over China's #trade restrictions on Lithuanian goods, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry announced. However, the ministry pointed out that #China continued to restrict five categories of Lithuanian #exports.
Lithuania: EU withdraws WTO case over China’s restrictions on Lithuania
Lithuania does not oppose the European Commission’s (EC) decision to withdraw a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China’s trade restrictions on Lithuanian goods…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
#Lithuania does not oppose the European Commission's decision to withdraw a #WTO case over China's #trade restrictions on Lithuanian goods, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry announced. However, the ministry pointed out that #China continued to restrict five categories of Lithuanian #exports.
Gender equality in #Latvia worsened sharply in 2025, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality's #Gender #Equality Index. Latvia ranked 24th out of 27 EU member states on the index in 2025, which was down from 19th place in 2024.
Latvia: Gender equality worsened sharply in 2025: report
Gender equality in Latvia worsened sharply in 2025, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality’s (EIGE) Gender Equality Index, LETA reports. Latvia ranked 24th out of 27 EU member states…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 8:21 PM
In #Estonia, the city council of the country's second-largest city, #Tartu, has elected Tõnis Lukas of the conservative Fatherland party as its new chairman. Meanwhile, the city council in the largely Russian-speaking border city of #Narva elected pro-Russian Mihhail Stalnuhhin as its new chairman.
Estonia: Tartu, Narva city councils elect new chairmen
The city council of Estonia’s second-largest city, Tartu, has elected Tõnis Lukas of the national conservative Fatherland (Isamaa) party as its chairman, ERR reports. At the same time…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, and #Denmark have signed a cooperation agreement on joint purchases of #medicines. The agreement is expected to enable purchases of larger volumes, helping ensure lower #prices and better terms of delivery.
Baltic: Baltics, Denmark sign agreement on joint medicine purchases
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Denmark have signed a cooperation agreement to begin joint medicine purchases, ERR reports. The Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs said that the agreement would allow…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
#Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, and #Denmark have signed a cooperation agreement on joint purchases of #medicines. The agreement is expected to enable purchases of larger volumes, helping ensure lower #prices and better terms of delivery.
The EU is preparing new #sanctions against #Belarus, following repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from Belarus into #Lithuania, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced. Lithuanian PM Inga Ruginiene warned that Lithuania may close its #border with Belarus again.
Lithuania: EU to impose new sanctions on Belarus after balloon attacks
The EU is preparing new sanctions against Belarus, following repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from Belarus into Lithuania, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The EU is preparing new #sanctions against #Belarus, following repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from Belarus into #Lithuania, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced. Lithuanian PM Inga Ruginiene warned that Lithuania may close its #border with Belarus again.
The city council of the capital of #Estonia, #Tallinn, has elected Mihhail Kõlvart, chairman of the Estonian Centre Party, as its new speaker. Earlier, the Centre Party signed a coalition agreement with national conservative party Fatherland.
Estonia: Tallinn city council elects Mihhail Kõlvart as chairman
The city council of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, has elected Mihhail Kõlvart, chairman of the Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond), as its new speaker, ERR reports. Kõlvart served as city council…
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Fitch Ratings has downgraded the long-term IDR of the national airline of #Latvia, #airBaltic, from B-/Negative to CCC+. The agency noted that airBaltic's indebtedness was higher and financial flexibility weaker than expected. Also, Fitch highlighted uncertainty over airBaltic's planned #IPO.
Latvia: Fitch drops airBaltic’s credit rating to CCC+
The international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has downgraded the long-term issuer default rating of Latvia’s national air carrier, airBaltic, from B-/Negative to CCC+, LETA reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Fitch Ratings has downgraded the long-term IDR of the national airline of #Latvia, #airBaltic, from B-/Negative to CCC+. The agency noted that airBaltic's indebtedness was higher and financial flexibility weaker than expected. Also, Fitch highlighted uncertainty over airBaltic's planned #IPO.
#Lithuania has applied for EUR 6.375bn of support from the European Commission's #Security Action for #Europe (SAFE) instrument to finance around 50 #defence projects. Lithuania will use some of the funds for joint procurement of #military equipment with #Ukraine.
Lithuania: Government seeks EUR 6.3bn of EU funds for 50 defence projects
Lithuania has submitted an application for EUR 6.375bn of support from the European Commission’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument to finance around 50 defence projects, BNS reports.
viabaltica.fi
December 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
A group of MPs in #Lithuania are pushing for the restoration of full diplomatic relations with communist #China. The group's chairman, MP Ignas Vegele, argued that the previous government's "values-based" #foreignpolicy had harmed #trade relations.
Lithuania: Group of MPs push restoration of relations with China
A group of MPs in Lithuania has established a parliamentary working group to push for the restoration of full diplomatic relations with communist China, ELTA reports. The working group’s chairman…
viabaltica.fi
December 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
A group of MPs in #Lithuania are pushing for the restoration of full diplomatic relations with communist #China. The group's chairman, MP Ignas Vegele, argued that the previous government's "values-based" #foreignpolicy had harmed #trade relations.
Estonia's #GDP grew by 0.9% on year in Q3/2025, #Statistics #Estonia reported. Compared to Q2/2025, GDP rose by 0.4%. #Exports were up by 5.7% and #imports by 5.6%.
Estonia: GDP up 0.9% in Q3/2025: statistics
Estonia’s GDP totalled EUR 10.5bn at current prices in the third quarter of 2025, which was up 0.9% from the same period of 2024, according to data from Statistics Estonia, ERR reported.
viabaltica.fi
December 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Estonia's #GDP grew by 0.9% on year in Q3/2025, #Statistics #Estonia reported. Compared to Q2/2025, GDP rose by 0.4%. #Exports were up by 5.7% and #imports by 5.6%.