Prime Minister Ivar Godmanis met on the 9th of January with Vygaudas Ušackas, the new Foreign Minister of Lithuania, who arrived in Riga for the introductory visit.

Ušackas stated during the visit that Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius will visit Latvia in the nearest future.

Latvia is in favour of the single Baltic energy market.

Issues related to bilateral relations were discussed during the negotiations, including the cooperation in the energy sector. V. Zatlers noted the significance of using the possibility of developing the single Baltic energy market, referring to the exigency of promoting the process and staying united in the development of the market, as it could also support the economic development either.  The President has also expressed hope that progress concerning the project of the new NPS of Iganlina is getting activated.

The new Head of the Lithuanian MFA and the President of Latvia were of same opinion concerning joint actions of both countries leading to the mutual benefit thereof.

Material has been prepared by the Centre for Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from “DELFI.ru“ of 09 January 2009.

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.