Latvia

Latvia imposes state of emergency on border with Belarus over influx of migrants

RIGA, August 10. /TASS/: The Latvian government approved the proposal of Interior Minister Marija Golubeva to impose a state of emergency along the border with Belarus over an inflow of illegal migrants at a session on Tuesday. The state of emergency will stay in place until November 10.

"The government decision to introduce a state of emergency on the Latvian border has been passed. Security measures on the border will be stepped up immediately," the minister said in a tweet.

Latvia Expels Belarusian Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Move

RIGA, May 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Latvia yesterday expelled Belarusian diplomats, in response to actions taken by Belarus.

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Latvian Ambassador to Belarus, Einars Semanis, was summoned to the Ministry “where he was notified of the decision ordering diplomats from the Embassy of Latvia in Minsk, to leave the country.

The Ambassador is to leave Belarus within 24 hours, while other diplomats are given 48 hours. One administrative staff member will remain at the Embassy to go on with the work.”

Latvian and Ukrainian presidents sign joint declaration on Ukraine's EU integration

RIGA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Latvian President Egils Levits and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday signed a joint declaration on Ukraine's further integration with the European Union (EU), the Latvian president's spokeswoman Justine Deicmane informed.

Large ice congestion in Latvia river blown up to avert floods

RIGA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian armed forces on Thursday blew up a huge ice congestion in one of the Baltic country's largest rivers that had threatened to cause major floods in the area.

The ice blasting operation was announced after the ice jam near the central Latvian municipality of Carnikava caused water levels in the River Gauja to rise dangerously this week.

On Wednesday, the swelling river had already inundated nearby meadows and some local residents reported that it had flooded their garages.

Macron: It was a mistake not to establish European dialogue with Russia over disarmament

RIGA, September 30. /TASS/: It was a mistake that there was no dialogue between Europe and Russia over arms reductions, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a joint news conference with Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins on Wednesday.

Baltic states ban entrance to Lukashenko, 29 more Belarusian officials

RIGA, August 31. /TASS/: The Latvian Foreign Ministry banned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and 29 more Belarusian officials from entering the country in light of developments that followed the recent presidential election; Lithuanian and Estonian authorities had taken similar measures, the Baltic states said Monday.

Signature campaign to begin in Latvia over controversial amendments to municipal election law

RIGA, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A signature campaign will start in Latvia in mid-January in a bid to stop controversial amendments to the municipal election law coming into effect, the Baltic country's election authority announced on Friday.

Eligible voters will be able to sign the petition against the disputed amendments from Jan. 16 to Feb. 14, 2020, the Central Election Commission said.

Dissolution of Riga City Council to be delayed as Latvian president suspends bills

RIGA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The dissolution of Riga City Council, which has been proposed by the Latvian Regional Development Ministry, is likely to be delayed by several months as President Egils Levits has suspended the draft legislation enabling the process, the president's office said on Monday.

Baltic presidents reaffirm commitment to regional infrastructure projects

RIGA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of the Baltic states -- Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania -- are determined to advance the Rail Baltica railway project and to ensure its completion as scheduled, Latvian President Egils Levits said at a joint news conference with his Baltic counterparts here on Tuesday.

Levits, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda reaffirmed their commitment to the regional rail infrastructure project and voiced their resolve to help the project's managers overcome all difficulties.

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