A collection of 153 posts
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
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
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
Lithuania’s new Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas plans to increase the country’s defence spending to 3.5% of GDP in response to security concerns, he announced as he took office on Thursday, 21 November. MPs in the Baltic country’s parliament, the Seimas, confirmed Paluckas, 45, as the country’
Teltonika has announced it is halting the construction of its EUR 3.5bn High-Tech Hill park in Vilnius over delays in securing permits. Lithuania’s leading technology group is a leading manufacturer of gadgets for the “internet of things”, with offices in 19 countries. Dream of Europe’s top high-tech
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
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,
Lithuania’s centre-left Social Democrats (SD) emerged as the clear leaders in the country’s second round of parliamentary elections on Sunday 27 October, securing an initial 52 out of 141 seats, according to preliminary results. Voters were electing 63 constituency MPs under Lithuania’s mixed electoral system. Turnout was
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
Poland’s strategic energy giant PKN Orlen has signed a five-year exclusive deal with Lithuanian energy terminal operator KN Energies to up the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to north-east Poland and the Baltic countries. Under the deal, effective until the end of March 2030, Orlen will have sole
Germany’s Rheinmetall will spend more than EUR 180mn on an ammunition manufacturing facility in Lithuania, the Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Ministry said. The production unit is expected to produce tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition per year. Last week the Lithuanian economy and finance ministries said another EUR
As the EU assesses its defence strategies amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, South Korea has emerged as a significant player in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) defence market. Korea makes strategic defence exports to CEE South Korea’s defence industry has gained notable traction in CEE, where countries are upping
In total 6 of 17 countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) made the top 50 for fastest internet speeds, with an average download speed of 76.58 Mbps, placing it the 4th global region. CEE’s top performers were Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, with average speeds of 145.19
Transport was on the agenda when Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Latvia Prime Minister Evika Silina, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal met in Klaipeda, west Lithuania, at the weekend. The Rail Baltica, a high-speed rail connection across the Baltic states, is encountering significant challenges and rising costs, drawing concern
The new report on rule of law and governance by the European Commission (EC) gives a mixed picture on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) anti-corruption efforts, judicial independence, media freedom, and legislative practices. The EC’s Rule of Law Report 2024, its 5th, included assessments of developments in Bulgaria, Czechia,