Next year Latvia’s budget will be as large as never before and exceed EUR 10 billion, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) said August 14 in an interview with the Morning Panorama program of Latvian Television.
The administrative territorial reform currently being planned by the government envisages the formation of a new municipality – the Ulbroka municipality - according to information acquired by Latvian Television on August 13.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched its latest grant project competition this time with the catchy title: Support for Development Cooperation and Development (Global) Education Projects Funded by the European Commission and Other International Aid Donors in the Recipient Countries Defined by the Republic of Latvia and in the Republic of Latvia.
After consulting with the municipal deputies, the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry has decided to add one more municipality to the new map, as minister Juris Pūce announced to journalists on Monday, 12 August.
Riga City Council’s Independent Deputies Faction and For Riga! bloc have agreed to cooperate in resolving economic matters. The deputies, however, have refrained from endorsing any of the proposed mayoral candidates, stating that they would be ready to join the team of a mayor who has garnered support of at least 24 other council members, reported LETA on August 8.
Latvia's Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkēvičs, was engaged in a social media clash August 7 with the Russian embassy in Latvia.
Interior Minister Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV party) on August 6 said the area of home affairs was in critical condition after years of underfunding and floated an idea to try to claw back some of a shortfall estimated at 88 million euros by seizing criminal assets.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 5 released a statement defending the right of democratically-minded Russians to stage peaceful protests and sharply criticizing the heavy-handed response of the authorities in Moscow to such protests.
A new Eurobarometer survey released August 5 shows a strong increase in citizens' positive perception of the European Union across the board – from the economy to the state of democracy - which were described by the European Commission as "the best results since June 2014".
The next US ambassador to Latvia, John Leslie Carwile, plans to address “difficult and complicated issues” such as corruption, money laundering, and the restitution of Jewish communal property. During a hearing at the US Senate, he prioritized security cooperation, mentioning in particular the security of the information space, reported Rus.LSM.lv.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs prompts other ministries and state institutions to prepare for the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, reported LSM.lv on July 31.
The Latvian president and government wish to resolve the maritime border treaty with Lithuania in the near future, said Latvia's President Egils Levits during a press conference on July 23.
There are still many diplomatic means to ensure that the Latvian citizen detained during Iran's seizure of a British tanker, said Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (New Unity) appearing on LTV July 23.
Iranian authorities have forbidden communication with a Latvian national, who has been detained during the seizure of a British oil tanker Stena Impero on Friday July 19, according to Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 19 signed decrees transforming and re-organizing several of the country's diplomatic missions and one consulate into embassies.
The authors of an alternative administrative territorial reform program propose dividing Latvia into five or eight administrative districts - either based on the planning regions or on the administrative basis of Latvian cities, reported the LETA newswire.
The European Union's negotiator during the so-called 'Brexit' negotiations with the United Kingdom, Michel Barnier, was in Rīga July 18 to update Latvian officials on the current state of the seemingly interminable process.
A series of projects in the countries included in the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative plus other countries in central Asia, have been granted financial support from Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed July 17.
Latvia's Foreign Ministry on July 17 joined the chorus of international voices calling for Russia to release full details of the events that led to the shooting down of a civilian airliner over Ukraine.
There were congratulations for newly elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš July 16, but Latvia's cadre of 8 MEPs was split on the crucial vote.
In an interview with Latvian Radio on July 16, new Latvian president Egils Levits voiced support for a smart immigration policy that would allow immigration for specialists who have a potential to add to the country's economy.
The faction of National Alliance at the Rīga City Council has offered its long-time rival, the Honor to Serve Rīga (GKR) party, to form a joint coalition.
Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš on July 15 talked up the results of his visit to the United States last week.
A couple of leading Latvian figures spoke at international events July 10 and 11, and you can hear what they had to say in the videos below.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said July 11 it had summoned a Russian diplomat to express disapproval of recent comments he made.
Newly-installed Latvian President Egils Levits makes his first foreign trip July 10 with a short trip north to visit Estonia just two days after becoming head of state.
On July 8, Saeima deputies approved Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance) as Minister for Culture at an extraordinary meeting, reported LSM's Latvian service.
July 8 sees another chapter in Latvia's history begin with Egils Levits becoming the latest in the line of Latvian state presidents.
The revival in fortunes of the New Unity party under Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš appeared to continue in June according to the monthly poll from the SKDS pollster produced for LTV.
Latvia's Prime Minister voiced support July 2 for the appointment of German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen as the new President of the European Commission.