Beating Russia to it, Latvia decided, in solidarity with Estonia, to pull its ambassador from Moscow this week. This is an extraordinary turning point in relations between Latvia and its eastern neighbour that’s overtaken by imperialistic hysteria.
Now the two countries are moving rapidly towards cutting ties entirely. What will happen then? The answer seemed clear then, but now Latvia faithfully believes in the guarantees provided by Article 5 of NATO treaty.
Although it seems like Latvia’s foreign policy’s sole priority is helping out Ukraine with everything the country can provide (including locally-made ammunition and military equipment Made in Latvia), [Minister of Foreign Affairs] Edgars Rinkēvičs demonstrated the multitasking capabilities of his ministry during Saeima debates. The promise to assist Latvian exporters in finding new markets and cooperate with Latvian diaspora business professionals reminded sceptics that Latvia continues growing despite the war, economic challenges and viruses.
There is the issue of wages of state officials in Latvia. Residents are concerned: is this the best time to agitating people, considering the rise of prices and tariffs? It seems cynical, but it will not be the first time when such obscenity from people in power will be forgotten and forgiven in time.
The appeal ruling in the repeated viewing of Maxima tragedy case reopened old wounds in people’s minds. The murder (which is how then the President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš called the event that killed 54 people) was pinned once again on Maxima project’s construction engineer and only him. No satisfaction from this one, however, because the tragedy revealed the total mess all of it truly was, not just the construction and monitoring process, the negligence of the supermarket towards safety precautions, but also the mess in the work of the court of justice and prosecution office.
With Ukraine focused on defending its independence, its allies seem eager to delicately silence concerns about the rooted corruption in his country’s government apparatus. Baltic States, for example, are staying completely quiet about all this. However, Ukrainian residents and at least some politicians understand – the war won’t write any of this off.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Ties cut; Anger building up; Export diplomacy; Is now the best time?; Gift of giving; Discord; Dogs bark…; Taking off the rust.
TIES CUT
Latvia downgrades diplomatic representation level in Russia; to recall ambassador
Latvia’s ambassador to Russia Māris Riekstiņš at an event dedicated to 100th anniversary of the signing of Latvian-Russian peace treaty at Riga Castle. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETALatvia has decided to downgrade diplomatic representation in Russia. Latvia’s ambassador to Russia Māris Riekstiņš is ordered to leave the country by the 24th of February, as reported by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Just recently Russia has expelled Estonia’s ambassador and has downgraded diplomatic representation in this country. According to Rinkēvičs, because Russia’s aggression in Ukraine still continues, as well as to stress solidarity with Estonia, Latvia has decided to downgrade diplomatic representation level in Russia and has requested Russia to do the same.
More here
ANGER BUILDING UP
Maxima tragedy appeal case viewing ends with Sergets declared guilty again
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAOn Tuesday, the 24th of January, Riga Regional Court viewed the so-called Zolitude tragedy criminal case in appeal order. In the end the court declared construction engineer Ivars Sergets guilty. Other accused parties received acquittal.
The court of first instance originally sentenced Sergets to six years in prison. The court of appeal added six more months to his sentence. Sergets is also required to pay several thousand euros of moral compensation. He is also not allowed to work in his profession for a period of five years.
The other five accused persons in this criminal case were given full acquittal. Previously the prosecution office submitted an appeal protest and requested the court to cancel the ruling in regards to the accused Andris Gulbis, Andris Kalinka, Staņislavs Kumpiņs, Mārtiņš Draudiņš, Marika Treija, Aija Meļņikova, Jānis Balodis and Inna Šuvajevas, who were previously found not guilty.
The court of appeal also made for side-rulings.
More here
EXPORT DIPLOMACY
Minister promises Latvian businesses access to new markets
Photo: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima/FlickrLatvia’s Foreign Affairs Service will especially support Latvian businesses in exploring new markets – mainly in Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Latin America, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs during annual foreign affairs debased in the Saeima on Thursday, the 26th of January.
The minister also said the country needs to support business-able people in various diaspora, which can contribute a great deal to the development of Latvia’s national economy, as well as language, culture and traditions.
The pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have forced many Latvian businessmen change their supply chains for raw materials and move to other markets, said the politician.
More here
IS NOW THE BEST TIME?
BNN ANALYSES | 22.5% of Latvia’s population at risk of poverty but people’s servants still get a raise
Photo: LETA/BNN collageWhile the director of Latvia’s State Chancellery Jānis Citskovskis is busy talking about looking for «middle ground» on the wage scale and «horizontal initiatives» expected this autumn, the country’s top officials are celebrating getting a raise. Also it does not seem like officials are the least bit concerned that this year there is no money in the state budget to afford the increase of their pay.
I won’t say the government do not deserve a raise and that they can technically make do with EUR 1 384 on paper (even though many employed in the state administration can only dream of this amount). However, in a situation when 22.5% of Latvia’s population or 418 000 residents are subjected to the risk of poverty (according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia), it may be a good idea to put the increase of wages of Saeima deputies and leaders of municipal council on hold or freeze them at their current level for some time, as mentioned by the author of the initiative submitted to the Saeima Nora Freimane.
More here
GIFT OF GIVING
Latvia sends Ukraine first shipment of military equipment acquired using public donations
Global Wolf Motors manager Klāvs Ašmanis and scooter Mosphera participates in Labās ziņas campaign opening event in Riga (15th of November 2022). Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAOn Wednesday, the 25th of January, the first public Latvian donation consisting of 9 ATVs, 9 specialised combat platforms, as well as four military scooters worth a total of EUR 323 148.30, put together thanks to a campaign organised by Ziedot.lv platform was sent to Ukraine after a festive event.
This is the first shipment of Latvian-made military equipment sent to Ukraine. The shipment was sent on its way by Latvia’s new Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece, Ukraine’s ambassador to Latvia Oleksandr Mischenko, as well as representatives of Ukrainian armed forces.
«We are truly proud of our Latvia-made military products – battle support platforms, military ATVs, UAVs, vests, generators, military scooters, off-road vehicles, devices for neutralisation of non-detonated munitions. Today we are happy to send Ukrainian fighters Latvian-made military equipment and vehicles. We hope all this will help Ukraine get one step closer to victory,» stressed Latvia’s Minister of Defence in her speech.
More here
DISCORD
Harmony leader wishes Daugavpils mayor «good luck» with new party
Photo: Edijs Pālens / LETAI hope the former Harmony representatives in Daugavpils City Council took the risks seriously when evaluating the decision by Daugavpils City Council Chairman Andrejs Elksniņš’s to leave our party, said Harmony political party leader Jānis Urbanovičs.
The politician refused to comment on the decision by Daugavpils City Council members to leave the ranks of his party. He wished them luck and said he hopes the people who left the party weighed the pros and cons correctly. Urbanovičs reminded that approximately 20 years ago Daugavpils regional party decided to join Harmony, but now municipal deputies have decided to go independent again.
Because several years ago Elksniņš had mentioned the possibility of forming his own political organisation, Urbanovičs says the decision by the chairman of Daugavpils City Council to abandon Harmony was not a surprise.
More here
DOGS BARK…
Swiss TELF AG forms consortium for investments into Baltic Coal Terminal
Photo: PixabaySwitzerland-based international goods and service company Telf AG has reached an agreement for investments for Freeport of Ventspils company Baltic Coal Terminal. Investments will be performed in cooperation with strategic consortium partners from Kazakhstan. A binding cooperation contract has been signed and an in-depth company evaluation has commenced. The investment deal is planned to be completed in Q1 2023.
The total value of the contract is not reported at this time.
For years Telf AG has cooperated with Baltic Coal Terminal, using the terminal located at the Freeport of Ventspils to handle goods. The company hopes new investments will help significantly develop bot the terminal’s and the sea port’s total transit potential and capacity, as stated in the press-release.
More here
TAKING OFF THE RUST
Several high-ranking officials in Ukraine have resigned
Kyrylo Tymoshenko. Photo: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs/FlickrWhile Russia has been waging an aggressive war for 11 months already, several officials have resigned in Ukraine under suspicion of corruption, writes the British broadcaster BBC.
Zelensky has already banned public officials from leaving the country, the only exception being visits related to work duties.
The first to officially announce his resignation was presidential adviser Kyrylo Tymoshenko. After the Russian invasion, he often provided official information on the government’s position. Tymoshenko has been surrounded by a scandal over the use of expensive cars, but he denies that he did anything illegal.
More here
BNN SUMMARY OF THE WEEK: One for all. Economic foreign policy. Wage feast
