Latvia

A collection of 103 posts

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

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as a hub for innovation and growth with the achievements of its fastest-growing technology companies, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2024 report. The global auditor’s annual report, now in its 25th year, ranks the 50 fastest-growing public or

NATO launches 'Baltic Sentry' patrols to counter infrastructure attacks

NATO launches 'Baltic Sentry' patrols to counter infrastructure attacks

NATO deployed a multinational flotilla off the Estonian coast at the weekend to defend undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea amid escalating concerns of sabotage. Baltic Sentry aims to deter hybrid threats targeting power cables, pipelines, and data lines crucial to the region’s stability. Dubbed the “security camera of

Romania leads CEE for EV adoption

Romania leads CEE for EV adoption

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) remains uneven, with significant variations between countries in the region, according to new data from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Adoption rates in CEE lag behind Western Europe: the Western Balkans, for example, has just 1,540 public EV charging

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Digital news consumption in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is transforming, driven by evolving audience habits, technology adoption, and growing mistrust in traditional media, according to Reuters Digital News Report 2024. Internet penetration and smartphone usage have enabled a rapid shift online, but challenges related to declining trust in news

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook December 2024 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and weakened demand from key European markets, most notably Germany, are affecting industrial

Poland, Latvia, Lithuania ink drone MOUs with Taiwan

Poland, Latvia, Lithuania ink drone MOUs with Taiwan

The Taiwanese government-backed drone supply chain alliance on Friday, 15 November signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber of Industry and Commerce to advance drone development. The Asian country plans to expand its economic partnerships beyond the semiconductor industry and enhance its defence capabilities through drone development

Estonia dominates top-30 regional startup list

Estonia dominates top-30 regional startup list

A new list spotlighting the fastest-growing startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) shows Estonia as the clear leader in the region’s startup scene, with neighbours Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Lithuania also making the leaderboard. The Sifted 30: Eastern Europe & Baltics leaderboard ranks private startups established within the

CEE countries take sides in aftermath of Georgia's disputed election

CEE countries take sides in aftermath of Georgia's disputed election

In the wake of the parliamentary elections in Georgia held on 26 October 2024, international reactions ranged from congratulations to expressions of concern over the integrity of the electoral process.  Doubts over the legitimacy of last weekend’s vote have placed the country at the centre of a geopolitical tug-of-war,

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland to ask EU to cofund 'Baltic Defence Line'

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland to ask EU to cofund 'Baltic Defence Line'

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are seeking EU financial support for a coordinated network of military fortifications along their borders with Russia and Belarus. “The security situation demands comprehensive defences,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said, adding that “the Baltic Defence Line supports NATO’s forward defense and is vital

Lufthansa mulls AirBaltic purchase - report

Lufthansa mulls AirBaltic purchase - report

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is looking into acquiring a stake in AirBaltic before the Latvian state-owned airline launches an initial public offering (IPO), insider sources told Bloomberg. Talks are still in the early stages, and no final decision has been made regarding the investment, said the sources, speaking to the news