EU-DIGEST

Latvia's IMF handout could total euro 1.92 billion

Latvia could be in line to get around euro 1.92 billion(US$2.5b) from the coffers of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Union (EU) according to an economic expert on the Baltic states. Over the weekend, the IMF confirmed that the Latvian authorities had asked it to provide 'technical and financial support' and that it stood 'ready to rapidly assist their efforts in the context of a comprehensive economic program.'

Labels: Economy, EU, IMF, Latvia

Latvia exported 2.9 million tonnes of timber in the first nine months of 2008

Latvia exported 2.9 million tonnes of timber from its ports in the first nine months of 2008, Latvian Central Statistical Bureau reported. Latvia's state forestry management company Latvijas Valsts Mezi made LVL 92.67 million (euro130.44m /$165m) in 2007 putting it just behind Swdbank, reports the Baltic Course. The study, which ranked 500 companies in order of performance, also indicates that last year was the most successful for Latvian business in terms of profitability since the restoration of independence.

Last year, companies in Latvia made a total of more than LVL 1.98 billion (euro2.76b/$3.5b), which equates to around 1.2 times more than they did in 2006.

Labels: EU, Export, Latvia, Wood

Latvia to donate EURO 545.000 for Georgia reconstruction

Latvia is to give Georgia $700,000 to aid reconstruction efforts in the wake of its recent war with Russia, the Latvian foreign minister said on Tuesday. Maris Riekstins said the money would be provided from Latvia's state budget in 2010 and 2011. Russia launched a five-day military operation to "force Georgia to accept peace" after Georgian troops attacked breakaway South Ossetia on August 8, killing a number of Russian peacekeepers and hundreds of civilians.

Labels: EU, Latvia

Latvia expels diplomat of Russian Federation Embassy

Viktor Kalyuzhniy, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, was summoned before Edgars Skuja, Acting Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Acting Secretary of State issued the Ambassador with a note stating that, on the basis of information provided by appropriate state security authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established that one of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy of the Russian Federation has been engaged in activities incompatible with his status as diplomat and that his residence in Latvia poses a threat to state security. In accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has declared the diplomat persona non grata.

Labels: Diplomacy, EU, Latvia, Russia

Latvia battles fir tree raiders-by Laura Sheeter

Forest rangers in Latvia say they are being overwhelmed by large numbers of people illegally cutting down Christmas trees near the capital Riga.Latvians are allowed to cut down trees in designated national forest, 50km (31 miles) from Riga.

Labels: EU, Latvia

Migrating to Europe? Avoid Latvia like the plague

Going by the newest league table, potential migrants to Europe should head for Sweden and avoid Latvia like the plague. The study, whose results were released on Monday in Brussels, was a European Union-financed project conducted by the Migrant Integration Policy Index with the British Council. Examining 140 key factors that affect the lives of immigrants, the study found the five countries with the largest 'foreign' populations - the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy and France - are in the top half of the league table, with Italy leading. But Sweden, overall, won more points than any other European country.

There are estimated to be 21 million immigrants in the EU's 25 member states, excluding Romania and Bulgaria.

Labels: EU, Immigration, Latvia

For the complete report from Javno click on this link

New Latvian President Stresses EU As He Takes Office

Latvia's new president, Valdis Zatlers, took office on Sunday with a pledge to be a strong partner to the European Union and pursue constructive ties with the Baltic state's neighbours, including Russia. Parliament elected the former surgeon in May to succeed Vaira Vike-Freiberga, eastern Europe's first female president and Latvia's most popular leader, who won wide respect abroad during her eight years in power.

Labels: EU, Latvia, Valdis Zatlers

Latvia Ratified Border Treaty with Russia

Latvian parliament has ratified the Border Treaty with Russia that will govern frontier relations of both states. Of 100 lawmakers in the Seim of Latvia, 75 voted to ratify the Border Treaty with Russia, while 20 voted against it. Russia’s parliament hasn’t launched the ratification procedures yet. The Pskov Region’s Pytalovo District was the stumbling block of the treaty. Latvia pressed for the borders of Riga Treaty of 1921, which regarded Pytalovo belonging to Latvia. But Russia refused to yield territory to the Baltic state.

Latvia dropped territorial claims to Russia after prolonged negotiations and agreed to ink the treaty, never mentioning the agreement of 1921 there.

Labels: Latvia, Russia