About: Latvia
EU country briefing: Latvia
Like for its fellow Baltic states Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia’s EU accession was a milestone for a country that used to be part of the Soviet Union until 1991.
Estonians pay homage to victims of Soviet deportations
Thousands of Estonians lit candles across the Baltic state on Monday (25 March) in memory of the victims of Soviet mass deportations launched 70 years ago that saw tens of thousands sent to labour camps in Siberia, where many of them died.
Snow crab case to decide who has the right to explore for Arctic oil
Norway’s Supreme Court will on Tuesday (15 January) hear arguments on whether EU ships can fish for snow crab off Arctic islands north of Norway without permission from Oslo, a case that could decide who has the right to explore for oil in the region.
Latvia hopes third time’s the charm with new PM pick
Latvia’s president nominated a current MEP as prime minister on Monday (7 January), after two other picks failed to form a government after elections held in October.
Nine EU members stay away from UN migration pact
Three EU members voted against, five abstained and one didn’t vote during the formal ratification on Wednesday (19 December) in New York of the Global Compact on Migration.
Marrakesh UN forum adopts migration pact despite withdrawals
A United Nations conference adopted a migration pact in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday (10 December), despite a string of withdrawals, including several EU countries, driven by anti-immigrant populism.
BNP Paribas: A rudderless juggernaut?
In a thorough and critical documentary, two filmmakers raise questions about the disproportionate power of BNP Paribas, one of Europe’s largest banks. The documentary is a case study calling into question the credibility of European banking regulation. EURACTIV France reports.
Money launderers are taking EU to the cleaners, experts say
EU nations may boast the world's most stringent anti-money laundering rules, but recent scandals show that criminals are good at exploiting the bloc's Achilles' heel: a patent lack of coordination.
Latvian elections approach under high tension
The fight against corruption is one of the key campaign issues for the Latvian parliamentary elections on 6 October. However, the strange cabals, which are likely driven by Russia, are tending to tarnish the entire political class. EURACTIV France reports.
Latvia: The thriller passes through the central bank
Murder, wire-tapping in a sauna and bribes: the corruption case involving the central bank of Latvia resembles a real Baltic thriller. EURACTIV France reports with a third article in our series on Latvia.
Latvia: When the United States scolded the ‘Switzerland of the Baltics’
Latvian bank Rietumu has been hit with a fine of €80 million by French judges for having laundered hundreds of millions of euros. EURACTIV France reports in the second part of its Special Report on Latvia.
Latvia: The governor’s corruption undermines the ECB
Having been put under investigation for corruption at the end of June, the governor of Latvia's central bank is the third member of the ECB governing council to have been implicated in murky deals over the past year. EURACTIV France reports.
Greece seeks help from EU allies to tackle raging fires
Greece has appealed for help from other countries to help tackle a spate of fires which were raging uncontrolled in the country on Monday (23 July), its fire brigade said.
EU, Baltics, Poland target Russia grid separation by 2025
The Baltic nations, Poland and the European Commission agreed Thursday (28 June) on a roadmap to synchronise the region’s electricity network with the rest of continental Europe’s by 2025 and end their reliance on the Russian grid.
Money laundering accusations in Latvia cast doubt on ECB credibility
The Governor of the Latvian Central Bank, suspended by the Parliament, continues to face extraordinary accusations. The Commission has promised to set up a working group by the summer to tackle money laundering. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Latvia’s school language reform irks Russian minority
Riga's plans to impose Latvian as the main teaching language in minority schools has created tension among some of its ethnic Russian population, resurrecting a long-running dispute with Latvia's former Soviet masters.
Estonia calls for deployment of US troops, Patriot missiles
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid called for US Patriot missiles and troops to be deployed to her small Baltic state yesterday (4 April), telling AFP it was necessary to make deterrence "believable" for Russia.
Baltic states against EU sanctions on Poland
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have confirmed that they are against imposing EU sanctions on Poland for alleged breaches to the rule of law. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Eight northern EU states urge caution in eurozone reforms
Eight northern European countries said today (6 March) that euro zone reforms should focus on completing the banking union, improving compliance with budget rules and setting up a European Monetary Fund, with more ambitious plans left for later.
Baltic ministers prepare US summit for ‘sending message to Putin’
Foreign ministers from the Baltic states, three exposed allies on NATO's eastern flank, visited Washington on Monday (5 March) to urge Western leaders not to respond naively to Russian threats.
Latvian defence ministry says corruption claims may be disinformation campaign
Corruption allegations that led to the suspension of Latvia's central bank governor yesterday (20 February) may be part of a disinformation campaign aimed at damaging trust in the country and influencing October elections, its Defence Ministry said.
Latvia’s chief banker arrested by anti-corruption officials
Anti-corruption authorities in Latvia have arrested the governor of the country's central bank, Ilmars Rimsevics, the government said Sunday, while assuring there is "no sign of danger" to the financial system.
Baltic leaders back bigger EU budget after Brexit
The leaders of three Baltic states yesterday (15 February) backed a proposal for EU members to pay more into the bloc's budget after 2020 to fill a Brexit void.