Putin invited Zatlers visiting Moscow to participate in the Russian project. Moreover, it was offered to Latvia to join the BNPP nut just as a customer, but also as an investor for 8-12% of shares. Media reported that Zatlers has diplomatically declined the offer of Putin, referring to the participation of Latvia in the Lithuanian project. In February this issue shall be discussed between the Presidents of Latvia and Lithuania.

It should be reminded that the new nuclear power plant in Lithuania is a regional project supported by the European Commission. According to the words of the Lithuanian Minister of Energy Arvydas Sekmokas, the EC is ready to discuss the issue on granting financial support to this project. However, in the beginning of December it has become evident that the company from South Korea “Korea Electric Power Corp” has withdrawn from the tender of strategic investors, and the second possible candidate did not meet the requirements.

According to the words of the Minister, following the abandoned tender in choosing the investor, direct negotiations are taking place currently, though this is a confidential procedure.

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from «Калининград.ру» of 17 01 2011

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.