Estonia

A collection of 125 posts

CEE leads EU raw materials drive as EU selects strategic mining projects

CEE leads EU raw materials drive as EU selects strategic mining projects

The European Commission (EC) has chosen 47 strategic projects across the EU to reduce critical raw material dependency, with Czechia, Estonia, Poland, and Romania at the forefront, marking a significant boost to regional competitiveness amid intensifying geopolitical tensions. The EC’s selections are critical to the industrial future of Central

CEE markets plunge on Trump tariffs shock

Stock markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) fell sharply after US President Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs on global imports on 2 April 2025, spooking the region's export-dependent economies and reviving fears of a wider economic slowdown. CEE Stock Market Weekly Performance to 7 April 2025 Most

Trump-Putin detente could revive Nord Stream 2

Trump-Putin detente could revive Nord Stream 2

The US and Russia are discussing the potential reopening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, raising significant concerns across Europe, according to media reports. The natural gas pipeline, which runs beneath the Baltic Sea, aimed to double Russian gas exports to Germany. However, it has remained inactive since its

CEE startups outpace Western Europe rivals

CEE startups outpace Western Europe rivals

Startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are growing faster than in Western Europe and the CEE startup ecosystem is now worth EUR 243bn, according to the CEE Startups 2025 report. While funding and valuations have surged in recent years, structural challenges remain, including geographic fragmentation, uneven investor coverage, and

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Romania and Poland recorded the smallest gender pay gaps in 2023, at 3.6% and 4.5% respectively — both well below the EU average

'We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition' - Estonia defends policy

'We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition' - Estonia defends policy

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint ammunition procurement strategy, defending multilateral arrangements as the most efficient way to ensure quick and cost-effective delivery. Pevkur, a member of the Reform Party, rejected claims that Estonia would have received munitions faster through

Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump

Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump

As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal governance. The region remains split between pro-European integration and nationalist, often pro-Kremlin, forces: Czechia and Poland reinforce their commitments to Ukraine, while Hungary and Slovakia align with Moscow. Meanwhile,

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South Korean government officials announced on 9 March. The proposed agreement could be finalised as soon as next month and follows Poland’s earlier USD 12.4bn deal

Ukraine, Slovakia ranked most bureaucratic countries

Ukraine, Slovakia ranked most bureaucratic countries

Except for wartorn Ukraine, Slovakia has the most red tape in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to the latest Bureaucracy Index, an annual report by the Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS). The Bureaucracy Index measures the time and resources businesses must dedicate to compliance with government regulations.

Trump's verbal attack on Zelenskyy prompts security rethink in CEE

Trump's verbal attack on Zelenskyy prompts security rethink in CEE

The dramatic breakdown of relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, 28 February, is prompting Central and Eastern European (CEE) nations to urgently reassess regional defence strategies. The meeting, streamed from the Oval Office, was ostensibly held to formalise

Poland PM urges defence spending hikes as Baltics cut ties with Russian electricity grid

Poland PM urges defence spending hikes as Baltics cut ties with Russian electricity grid

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on European leaders to increase their defence spending while maintaining close ties with the US, before an emergency summit of European leaders in Paris on Tuesday, 18 February. US President Donald Trump’s decision to attempt to negotiate a peace deal on Ukraine with

German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 - KPMG report finds

German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 - KPMG report finds

German companies are considering ramping up investments in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with 55% expecting the region’s economic significance to grow in the next 5 years, according to the “German CEE Business Outlook 2025” report by auditor KPMG. The survey analysed the economic prospects and business strategies of

Lufthansa buys stake in airBaltic

Lufthansa buys stake in airBaltic

Lufthansa Group acquired a 10% stake in Latvia’s airBaltic for EUR 14mn on January 29, pending antitrust approval. Europe’s largest airline group has long been interested in the Baltic region, and airBaltic, headquartered in Riga, Latvia, and flying to over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and

As EU probes TikTok, precedent-setting Romania announces date for election rerun

As EU probes TikTok, precedent-setting Romania announces date for election rerun

Romania’s government has approved a repeat presidential election in May after institutional chaos and controversy saw the ballot in November annulled. The rerun vote is scheduled for 4 May and – if no candidate secures a simple majority – another will be held on 18 May. Romania’s Constitutional Court on