The year started off with promising news from Ukraine. So far this country’s army has accomplished mostly psychological victories, with promises of victories on the from to come soon. France, Germany and USA are slowly overcoming their fears and are promising more armoured vehicles to Ukraine. The deaths of many Russian mobilised troops in Makiivka, meanwhile, undermines Russia’s confidence in securing an easy victory. Perhaps even any victory.
Latvia, meanwhile, has successfully enhanced the defensive capabilities of its National Armed Forces. Latvian troops and National Guard continue gradually increasing their arsenal and combat tactics.
It is safe to say that Latvia’s Minister of Transport has organised a ‘coup’ of sorts and has decided to finally involve both sea port administration and sea port businesses in discussions of the long-debated sea port reform. These businesses are the ones that secure impressive influx of freight and passengers. This political development may turn out to be more impressive than what the Conservative Party under Jānis Bordāns had previously accomplished when they chased representatives of municipalities from the freeports of Riga and Ventspils.
The conflict between the administration of Riga Eastern Clinical Hospital and Latvian Oncological Centre, which is part of the hospital, was fated to become ‘a one-sided process’. Even if the demands from the centre’s cancer specialists for higher wages and more expensive medical equipment seem excessive, according to the hospital’s board, the reputation of those medical specialists and demands are undeniable.
Like the western countries managed to overcome their concerns in the so-called tank matter, the European Union in its entirety needs to face fears and take united stance in regards to China’s covid policy, which was heavily revised in response to mass protests. While China’s official stance on the new strict Covid-19 testing requirements for travellers from this country is basically summarised in the word ‘racism’, Brussels does not seem to be afraid of possible economic or diplomatic complications – the virus far scarier.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Ports won’t freeze over; Shield held high; Doctors win?; Closed for the poor; Direct language; Tanks when?; Mobile death.
PORTS WON’T FREEZE OVER
Latvian minister stresses that opinions of businessmen are important for sea port reform
Latvian Minister of Transport Jānis Vitenbergs. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETABefore the meeting with representatives of Latvian sea ports and sea port-based businesses scheduled for Friday, the 6th of January, Minister of Transport Jānis Vitenbergs stresses: it is important for him to listen to opinions of these businesses in regards to the future of the sea port reform.
The minister also expects proposals to help improve the sea port reform, as detailed in the Ministry of Transport statement released on Thursday, the 5th of January. The minister plans to meet with representatives of Freeport of Riga, Freeport of Ventspils and Liepaja SEZ.
Vitenbergs stresses that sea ports played and will continue playing an important role in the development of the country’s national economy.
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SHIELD HELD HIGH
Latvia’s defensive capabilities have increased a great deal in 2022
Photo: Sgt. Gatis Indrēvics (Minister of Defence)/FlickrLatvia’s new Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece reported that last year the country managed to significantly enhance its defensive capabilities. Investments were directed towards procurement of new equipment for National Armed Forces and training of troops and the National Guard.
«In 2023 we have to make one stop further in raising Latvian residents’ awareness of their role and responsibility in national defence,» said the minister.
Last year 2 271 volunteers joined the National Guard – three times more when compared with 2021.
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DOCTORS WIN?
Minister of Health gives RAKUS one month to resolve «oncological scandal»
LOC Cancer Surgery Centre manager, surgeon Armands Sīviņš. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETAAccording to Ministry of Health Communications Office, Latvian Minister of Health Līga Meņģelsone has given Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) Council a month to resolve the conflict situation between the hospital’s board and the doctors employed by Latvian Oncology Centre (LOC).
«The council was ordered to develop a plan for measures to balance contacts and mutual relations, as well as ensure uninterrupted provision of services to cancer patients. Reports are to be submitted to the minister once a week,» as written in the announcement.
Menģelsone comments: «Patients will suffer the most if this situation between RAKUS and LOC remains unresolved. This is why we much make effort and focus available resources to resolve this situation. […]»
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CLOSED FOR THE POOR
Latvian Saeima member suggests tightening stay requirements for EU citizens
14th Saeima deputy Jānis Dombrava. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETAMembers of the 14th Saeima, National Alliance (NA) member Jānis Dombrava has suggested tightening residence requirements for EU citizens in Latvia, particularly in regards to knowledge of Latvian language and subsistence income levels.
Proposals were submitted to the Saeima as part of the legislative draft On the entry and residence of citizens of the European Union and their family members in the Republic of Latvia. The legislative draft suggests: if an EU citizen or his or her family members who are also EU citizens want to live in Latvia for longer than three months, they are to request an EU registration permit.
Dombrava proposes excluding the opinion for EU citizens to receive registration permits if he or she is self-employed in Latvia.
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DIRECT LANGUAGE
EU recommends member states to request Covid-19 tests from Chinese travellers
Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAOn Wednesday, the 4th of January, the European Union (EU) recommended its member states to request Covid-19 tests from travellers arriving from China. However, countries failed to reach an agreement on making these tests mandatory.
«Member states are urged to introduce a requirement for travellers that come from China to present a negative Covid-19 test result received no later than 48 hours before departing from China,» as announced at a meeting of the Council of Europe after a meeting of healthcare experts in Brussels. An agreement was reached on making it mandatory for passengers and crew of aircraft departing China to wear medical masks or FFP2 respirators.
These decisions are not binding to EU member states, but they are considered important guidelines.
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TANKS WHEN?
Ukraine will receive armoured vehicles from the USA and Germany, rejects the ceasefire
Damaged school in Kramatorsk. Photo: AP/SCANPIX/LETAOn the 5th of January Ukraine rejected Russia’s call for a 36-hour ceasefire from noon on Friday as an insidious trick, Reuters writes.
The leaders of Germany and the United States have announced that they will send armoured vehicles to support Kyiv. The US aid shipment could include up to 50 Bradley armoured vehicles. According to a joint statement by Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany will supply Marder armoured vehicles resembling small tanks. The two countries have agreed to train Ukrainian soldiers, and Germany will also participate in the delivery of the Patriot missile system.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia’s cease-fire offer. The aggressor offered a ceasefire during the Russian Orthodox Christmas. Zelensky stated that this was an attempt to fool the Ukrainians, plant the advance in Donbas and bring in more Moscow forces.
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MOBILE DEATH
Russia blames its own soldiers for the attack on Makiivka
Site of rocket strike in Makiivka. Photo: AP/SCANPIX/LETAOn the 4th of January, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that the attack in Makiivka was caused by the unauthorized use of soldiers’ phones, writes Reuters.
Official information shows that 89 Russian soldiers were killed in the strike carried out by Ukraine, which is more than initially reported. The rocket strike destroyed the temporary barracks that had been built in Makiivka for the conscripts.
An official investigation has been launched into the incident, but Moscow already states that the main reason was the unauthorized use of cell phones among the recruits. The announcement of the Russian Ministry of Defence published just after midnight on the 4th of January states that the use of cell phones allowed the Ukrainian forces to track the location of Russian soldiers.
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BNN SUMMARY OF THE WEEK: Win over fear. Sea ports in focus. Believe doctors. Tourism-19
