This week Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s ambassador Mihkail Vanin so that he can provide an explanation for the recent antisemitic and untrue statements made by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov. Russian embassy also received condemnation for hate speech on social media.
Aside from that, Latvia’s government also made a decision this week to allow residents to apply for compensation for health problems caused by side-effects from Covid-19 vaccines. It took a long time to make this decision – one and a half years after the start of mass vaccination against Covid-19.
The Cabinet of Ministers in Latvia also plans to lift the mask-wearing requirement for public transport passengers from 15 May onward. Additionally, the government has also decided to lift the Covid-19 vaccination certificate requirement for teachers.
Lithuania, meanwhile, is fighting a bigger inflation wave than the one in Latvia – prices in the neighbouring country have increased more rapidly than in the EU.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Chief of KNAB; Compensation; Posting; Covid certificate; Explanations from Russia; Gas; Inflation in Lithuania.
CHIEF OF KNAB
Jēkabs Straume re-elected as the chief of Latvian corruption watchdog
Chief of Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau. Jēkabs Straume. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAJēkabs Straume was re-elected in his post in the recent personnel selection process organised to pick a new head for the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB).
Straume was unanimously picked by members of the committee.
He because head of KNAB in June 2017. Before then, Straume worked in the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) for 16 years. Ten of those years he spent working as the chief of the office. Before then he worked at State Police Organized Crime Enforcement Office.
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COMPENSATION
Latvian government presents procedure for compensation of side-effects from Covid-19 vaccines
Photo: UnsplashOn Tuesday, 3 May, Latvia’s government officially approved the procedure for compensation of damages caused by side-effects from Covid-19 vaccines.
The Ministry of Health explains that serious health problems are defined with permanent health problems resulting in permanent limitation or loss of self-care, functioning, capacity for work and quality of life, or death, and are directly related to side-effects caused by Covid-19 vaccines.
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POSTING
Latvian government appoints a new head of Prison Administration
New Chief of Latvian Prison Administration Dmitrijs Kaļins. Publicity photoOn Tuesday, 3 May, Latvia’s Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns transferred Dmitrijs Kaļins from the post of chief of Olaine Prison to the position of head of Latvia’s Prison Administration (IeVP). The Cabinet of Ministers approved his candidacy as well.
According to Bordāns, he expects the new head of IeVP to continue the development of the prison system, improvement of the re-socialization process and implementation innovative reforms.
At the meeting of the government, the minister admitted that after holding discussions with the candidate picked by the selection committee he acquired confidence that Kaļins will ensure development and accomplish in practice objectives of the penalty enforcement system in line with European values.
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COVID CERTIFICATE
Latvia to lift covid certificate requirement for teachers this year
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAFrom 1 July 2022 onward the requirement for teachers and teaching staff in general to have a valid vaccination or recovery certificate will be lifted, as decided by the Latvian government during a discussion of amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection on Tuesday, 3 Mary.
This means covid certificates will no longer be a requirement for teaching staff to engage in education activities.
Amendments currently state that from 1 June 2022 persons who study at a general, special or vocational education institution will be able to participate in the education process or childcare services during the summer break without a vaccination or recovery certificate.
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EXPLANATIONS FROM RUSSIA
Russian ambassador to Latvia summoned to explain Russia’s antisemitic statements
Russian ambassador to Latvia Mikhail Vanin. Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAIn a conversation with Russian ambassador to Latvia Mikhail Vanin, Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the antisemitic statements of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and non-diplomatic statements involving Latvia’s President Egils Levits.
According to an entry on the Latvian ministry’s Twitter account, the meeting with Vanin took place on Thursday, 5 May. Latvia’s representatives condemned the antisemitic and non-diplomatic statements made about Latvia’s State President. Russian embassy also received condemnation for hate speech on social networks.
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GAS
Baltic States celebrate the opening of Polish-Lithuanian gas interconnection
Latvian Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAOn Thursday, 5 May, a special festive ceremony was held in honour of the opening of the Polish-Lithuanian gas interconnection (GIPL). The ceremony was attended by Latvia’s President Egils Levits, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, as well as other high-ranking officials from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.
At the GIPL opening event Latvia’s Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs said this is a historical moment for Lithuania, Poland and the entire Baltic region and yet another step towards diversifying gas supplies and ensuring security of energy supplies.
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INFLATION IN LITHUANIA
BNN ANALYSES | Record-high inflation for the second consecutive month keeps Lithuanians jittery
Photo: PixabayAfter Lithuania grabbed last month the international spotlight for being an EU member state with the highest inflation in March, at 15.7 percent (in Estonia, it was 14.8 percent, in Latvia – 11.5 percent), according to the Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, many hoped that inflation had reached the highest point.
Alas. With 16.6 percent in April, inflation hit a new all-time record in Lithuania, according to a provisional estimate released by the country’s statistics office on Thursday, May 5.
Month-on-month, consumer prices rose by 1.9 percent.
In terms of purchasing power, the euro in Lithuania now is nowhere it was in 2015, when the currency was introduced in the Baltic State. Back then, for the shiny one-euro coin, you could get one litre of milk produced locally and you would still have some cents left jiggling, enough to buy a small desert bar.
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BNN summary of the week: Russia’s antisemitic statements. Covid vaccines. Inflation in Lithuania
