Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has promised to pay more attention to Baltic States next year, when they will be celebrating their centenary.

«Latvia should not panic too much about Zapad 2017, because Latvia has increased its funding for defence and the general presence of allied forces in Baltic States has increased dramatically ever since the annexation of Crimea in 2014,» says Latvian Defence Ministry’s state secretary Jānis Garisons.

Latvian Cabinet of Ministers has supported amendments to regulations that provide clarifying planned income and expenditures for measures associated with improving road traffic supervision. In 2018, Latvia will have 100 stationary speed cameras set up on roads, as reported by Interior Affairs Ministry.

The now former Unity member Edvards Smiltēns does not exclude the possibility of cooperating with any existing Saeima party to participate in upcoming elections.

Latvian prosecutor’s office has received information from Cyprus that Latvian businessman Germans Milušs, who stands accused of bribery during 2005 municipal elections in Jurmala, did not show up for the court hearing. A manhunt has been announced.

«By organizing Zapad military exercises, Russia isolates itself more and more from the international arena. It does not help reduce the tension that is now present between Russia and Western nations,» says MEP Artis Pabriks.

Small wages and inability to find work are two of the main reasons why Latvian residents decide to emigrate to other countries, according to results of a study performed by SKDS and Latvian Alternative Financial Services Association.

The new political movement ‘Par!’ admits among all current Saeima parties, they are uncomfortable the most for Harmony, because the new party wants Harmony’s votes at the upcoming 13th Saeima elections, said ‘Par!’ movement’s representative Martins Stakis in an interview to BNN.

There is a war going between the people and oligarchs. It will end with the Union of Greens and Farmers falling apart, believes New Conservative Party’s leader, Riga City Council opposition deputy Janis Bordans.

From 8th to 21st September annual military exercises Northern Coasts 2017 will be taking place in Swedish and Danish territorial waters. Ships and their crews will practice cooperation in restricting and shallow waters by plying out different scenarios.