RB Rail AS has launched a new procurement process for Design Expertise Services related to the Rail Baltica energy subsystem in Latvia and Lithuania, advancing the detailed technical development of the railway’s electrification system. Rail Baltica Electrification Design Procurement Launched The procurement is divided into two lots – one for Latvia and one for Lithuania … Read more
Baltic Security: The Looming Need for Proactive Defense in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape Just 2.1% of Latvia’s GDP is allocated to defense, a figure that, while increasing, underscores the critical reliance on external partnerships, particularly with the United States, for maintaining regional stability. This dependence isn’t merely a matter of financial capacity; it’s a strategic … Read more
RIGA — The Constitutional Court has ruled that regulations regarding the production of public media content in minority languages are unconstitutional, though the ruling does not require immediate changes to content production at Latvijas Sabiedriskais Medijs (LSM), the nation’s public broadcaster. Constitutional Court Ruling The court emphasized that while respecting the rights of national minorities, … Read more
Latvia’s Fuel Price Intervention: A Canary in the Coal Mine for European Energy Security Across Europe, governments are walking a tightrope – balancing the need to protect citizens from soaring energy costs with the risks of market distortion. Latvia’s recent moves to regulate fuel prices, including the introduction of a ‘solidarity payment’ for traders and … Read more
Riga Airport’s Incentive Program: A Harbinger of Europe’s New Aviation Battleground Just 18% of Europeans fly more than once a year. That figure, surprisingly low for a continent famed for its accessibility, underscores the immense, untapped potential within the European aviation market. Latvia’s recent approval of a new airline incentive program for Riga Airport isn’t … Read more
RIGA – The crisis in the Middle East requires a joint response from transatlantic and European partners, Latvia’s National Security Council concluded Wednesday. The council also addressed the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the need for continued support while strengthening drone and anti-drone capabilities. Middle East Crisis Requires Joint Effort The National Security Council meeting, … Read more
Over $500 million in military aid has been pledged to Ukraine by the US alone since the start of 2024, yet a single individual, operating from within the European Union, potentially undermined a portion of that support. The recent 11-year sentence handed down in Latvia to an Azerbaijani national for illegally supplying Starlink systems to … Read more
A new contemporary exhibition on Latvian history, “Streaming Time,” will open to the public at the Latvian National Museum of History (LNMH) in Riga Castle on March 21. The museum was closed last September in preparation for the new display. “Streaming Time” Exhibition to Detail 12,500 Years of Latvian History Historical objects and digital content … Read more
A staggering 87% of global supply chains experienced disruption in the last year alone, largely due to escalating geopolitical instability. This figure underscores a critical need for diversified partnerships and resilient economic corridors. Amidst growing concerns over wider conflict in the Middle East, a burgeoning relationship between Azerbaijan and Latvia is emerging as a potentially … Read more
President Edgars Rinkevics called for action against Russia’s use of Belarus to circumvent sanctions during a meeting with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Thursday at Riga Castle. Latvia’s Support for Belarus Rinkevics expressed Latvia’s solidarity and support for political prisoners and their families in Belarus, according to Presidential Advisor Martins Dregeris. Condemnation of Lukashenko … Read more